Institutional Strategies

Investment Objective

We invest using a quality growth investment philosophy which is based on the belief that the market is inefficient with respect to distinguishing between an average growth company and a quality growth company. In our view, a quality growth company is one that can achieve a higher growth rate for a longer period of time than the market expects due to its leadership in its field, distinct products/services, competitive business model, strong management team, and/or attractive financials characteristics.

Strategy

William Blair implements this philosophy within the All Cap Growth portfolio using a collaborative and research intensive fundamental investment approach which typically includes company visits, focused discussions with management around issues critical to the investment thesis, conversations with independent sources, financial modeling and valuation analysis. We seek to invest in a portfolio of quality growth companies that exhibit superior profitability, growth, and returns on invested capital whose stocks are trading at attractive valuations. The All Cap Growth strategy will consist of approximately 40 to 55 stocks diversified by sector and across market capitalizations.

Mutual Fund

William Blair Growth Fund

Investment Objective

We invest using a quality growth investment philosophy which is based on the belief that the market is inefficient with respect to distinguishing between an average growth company and a quality growth company. In our view, a quality growth company is one that can achieve a higher growth rate for a longer period of time than the market expects due to its leadership in its field, distinct products/services, competitive business model, strong management team, and/or attractive financials characteristics.

Strategy

William Blair implements this philosophy within the Large Cap Growth portfolio using a collaborative and research intensive fundamental investment approach which typically includes company visits, focused discussions with management around issues critical to the investment thesis, conversations with independent sources, financial modeling and valuation analysis. We seek to invest in a portfolio of quality growth companies that exhibit superior profitability, growth, and returns on invested capital whose stocks are trading at attractive valuations. The Large Cap Growth strategy will consist of approximately 30 to 40 larger capitalization stocks that are well diversified by sector.

Mutual Fund

William Blair Large Cap Growth Fund

Investment Objective

We invest using a quality growth investment philosophy which is based on the belief that the market is inefficient with respect to distinguishing between an average growth company and a quality growth company. In our view, a quality growth company is one that can achieve a higher growth rate for a longer period of time than the market expects due to its leadership in its field, distinct products/services, competitive business model, strong management team, and/or attractive financials characteristics.

Strategy

William Blair implements this philosophy within the Mid Cap Growth portfolio using a collaborative and research intensive fundamental investment approach which typically includes company visits, focused discussions with management around issues critical to the investment thesis, conversations with independent sources, financial modeling and valuation analysis. We seek to invest in a portfolio of quality growth companies that exhibit superior profitability, growth, and returns on invested capital whose stocks are trading at attractive valuations. The Mid Cap Growth strategy consists of approximately 40 to 60 stocks that are well diversified by sector and with market capitalizations typically within the range of the Russell Midcap Index.

Mutual Fund

William Blair Mid Cap Growth Fund

Investment Objective

We invest using a quality growth investment philosophy which is based on the belief that the market is inefficient with respect to distinguishing between an average growth company and a quality growth company. In our view, a quality growth company is one that can achieve a higher growth rate for a longer period of time than the market expects due to its leadership in its field, distinct products/services, competitive business model, strong management team, and/or attractive financials characteristics.

Strategy

William Blair implements this philosophy within the Small-Mid Cap Growth portfolio using a collaborative and research intensive fundamental investment approach which typically includes company visits, focused discussions with management around issues critical to the investment thesis, conversations with independent sources, financial modeling and valuation analysis. We seek to invest in a portfolio of quality growth companies that exhibit superior profitability, growth, and returns on invested capital whose stocks are trading at attractive valuations. The Small-Mid Cap Growth strategy consists of approximately 65 to 80 stocks that are well diversified by sector and with market capitalizations typically below the largest stock in the Russell Midcap Index.

Mutual Fund

William Blair Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund

Investment Objective

We invest using a quality growth investment philosophy which is based on the belief that the market is inefficient with respect to distinguishing between an average growth company and a quality growth company. In our view, a quality growth company is one that can achieve a higher growth rate for a longer period of time than the market expects due to its leadership in its field, distinct products/services, competitive business model, strong management team, and/or attractive financials characteristics.

Strategy

William Blair implements this philosophy within the Small Cap Growth portfolio using a collaborative and research intensive fundamental investment approach which typically includes company visits, focused discussions with management around issues critical to the investment thesis, conversations with independent sources, financial modeling and valuation analysis. We seek to invest in a portfolio of quality growth companies that exhibit superior profitability, growth, and returns on invested capital whose stocks are trading at attractive valuations. The Small Cap Growth strategy consists of approximately 75 to 85 stocks that are well diversified by sector and with market capitalizations typically below the largest stock in the Russell 2000 Index.

Mutual Fund

William Blair Small Cap Growth Fund

Investment Objective

Our investment philosophy is based on the belief that attractive returns can be achieved with below-average risk by investing in undervalued, quality companies that are temporarily out-of-favor. In our view, financial markets can overreact to short-term information creating inefficiencies that can be exploited by taking a longer-term time horizon. Reversion to the mean is central to our approach as powerful valuation expansion can be achieved as earnings growth rates resume toward historical levels accompanied by improving investor sentiment.

Strategy

William Blair implements this philosophy in the Large Cap Value strategy using a bottom-up, fundamental research-intensive investment process which typically includes company management meetings discussing critical issues to the investment thesis, as well as financial modeling including longer term earnings and cash flow sensitivity analysis. We seek to invest in a portfolio of companies that exhibit attractive valuations, growth and quality metrics. The Large Cap Value strategy will consist of approximately 60 to 90 larger capitalization companies that are well diversified by sector.

Mutual Fund

William Blair Large Cap Value Fund

Investment Objective

Our investment philosophy is based on the belief that successful companies possess superior capital stewardship as characterized by strong cash flow generation, improving/sustainable return on invested capital, and shareholder-value focused managements. We believe the key to successful investing is striking a balance between attractive valuations and solid fundamentals. We look for this balance in two separate but somewhat overlapping categories: quality companies at discount prices and corporate transformation opportunities. We believe our investment success is dependent on the consistent application of this philosophy.

Strategy

William Blair implements this philosophy in the Mid Cap Value strategy using a bottom-up, fundamental research-intensive investment process. This process is structured to deliver what we believe is the appropriate balance of valuation and fundamentals. It is driven by a front-end, sector-neutral quantitative model that screens factors which we believe are the key determinants of investment returns. This model is designed to enable us to efficiently and objectively focus our research effort. Fundamental research commands the vast majority of our time and is the driving factor in stock selection, augmented by proprietary financial modeling and valuation work. The Mid Cap Value strategy will consist of approximately 60 to 80 stocks diversified by sector and with market capitalizations typically within the range of the Russell Midcap Value Index.

Mutual Fund

William Blair Mid Cap Value Fund

Investment Objective

Our investment philosophy is based on the belief that successful companies possess superior capital stewardship as characterized by strong cash flow generation, improving/sustainable return on invested capital, and shareholder-value focused managements. We believe the key to successful investing is striking a balance between attractive valuations and solid fundamentals. We look for this balance in two separate but somewhat overlapping categories: quality companies at discount prices and corporate transformation opportunities. We believe our investment success is dependent on the consistent application of this philosophy.

Strategy

William Blair implements this philosophy in the Small-Mid Cap Value strategy using a bottom-up, fundamental research-intensive investment process. This process is structured to deliver what we believe is the appropriate balance of valuation and fundamentals. It is driven by a front-end, sector-neutral quantitative model that screens factors which we believe are the key determinants of investment returns. This model is designed to enable us to efficiently and objectively focus our research effort. Fundamental research commands the vast majority of our time and is the driving factor in stock selection, augmented by proprietary financial modeling and valuation work. The Small-Mid Cap Value strategy will consist of approximately 100 to 125 stocks diversified by sector and with market capitalizations typically below the high end of the Russell Midcap Value Index.

Investment Objective

Our investment philosophy is based on the belief that successful companies possess superior capital stewardship as characterized by strong cash flow generation, improving/sustainable return on invested capital, and shareholder-value focused managements. We believe the key to successful investing is striking a balance between attractive valuations and solid fundamentals. We look for this balance in two separate but somewhat overlapping categories: quality companies at discount prices and corporate transformation opportunities. We believe our investment success is dependent on the consistent application of this philosophy.

Strategy

William Blair implements this philosophy in the Small Cap Value strategy using a bottom-up, fundamental research-intensive investment process. This process is structured to deliver what we believe is the appropriate balance of valuation and fundamentals. It is driven by a front-end, sector-neutral quantitative model that screens factors which we believe are the key determinants of investment returns. This model is designed to enable us to efficiently and objectively focus our research effort. Fundamental research commands the vast majority of our time and is the driving factor in stock selection, augmented by proprietary financial modeling and valuation work. The Small Cap Value strategy will consist of approximately 80 to 100 stocks diversified by sector and with market capitalizations typically below the high end of the Russell 2000 Value Index.

Investment Objective

We believe that strong corporate performance is the foundation of superior long-term investment returns. The essence of corporate success lies in building intrinsic strength in managing human capital, financial resources, and stakeholder relationships and delivering quality, innovation, service, and value to customers. Companies that lead in these critical areas tend to produce better returns on capital, over a longer time horizon, with greater consistency and less risk.

Strategy

William Blair implements this philosophy within the Global Leaders strategy using an integrated and collegial research process that facilitates peer-to-peer communication between portfolio management and research. We use sophisticated proprietary quantitative tools to bolster each part of the fundamental research, strategy, and portfolio management process, resulting in a well-defined and repeatable investment approach. We seek to invest in companies across sectors, regions, and capitalizations globally that exhibit consistent profitability and growth, better-than-peer balance sheets, and reasonable valuations. This analysis highlights companies that have strong management teams and durable growth prospects, whether they are multinational leaders or are regional or local champions. The Global Leaders strategy consists of 60 to 100 holdings, with region, sector, and capitalization weightings varying over time.

Mutual Fund

William Blair Global Leaders Fund

Investment Objective

We believe that strong corporate performance is the foundation of superior long-term investment returns. The essence of corporate success lies in building intrinsic strength in managing human capital, financial resources, and stakeholder relationships and delivering quality, innovation, service, and value to customers. Companies that lead in these critical areas have tended to produce better returns on capital, over a longer time horizon, with greater consistency and less risk.

Strategy

William Blair implements this philosophy within the Global Small Cap Growth strategy using an integrated and collegial research process that facilitates peer-to-peer communication between portfolio management and research. We use sophisticated proprietary quantitative tools to bolster each part of the fundamental research, strategy, and portfolio management process, resulting in a well-defined and repeatable investment approach. We seek to invest in small cap companies across sectors and regions globally that exhibit consistent profitability and growth, better-than-peer balance sheets, and reasonable valuations. This analysis highlights companies that have strong management teams and durable growth prospects. Focusing on companies below $5 billion in total market cap, the Global Small Cap Growth strategy consists of 80 to 125 holdings, with region and sector weightings varying over time.

MUTUAL FUND

William Blair Global Small Cap Growth Fund

Investment Objective

We believe that strong corporate performance is the foundation of superior long-term investment returns. The essence of corporate success lies in building intrinsic strength in managing human capital, financial resources, and stakeholder relationships and delivering quality, innovation, service, and value to customers. Companies that lead in these critical areas tend to produce better returns on capital, over a longer time horizon, with greater consistency and less risk.

Strategy

William Blair implements this philosophy within the International Leaders strategy using an integrated and collegial research process that facilitates peer-to-peer communication between portfolio management and research. We use sophisticated proprietary quantitative tools to bolster each part of the fundamental research, strategy and portfolio management process, resulting in a well-defined and repeatable investment approach. We seek to invest in world leaders, industry or locally dominant companies that exhibit consistent profitability and growth, better-than-peer balance sheets, and reasonable valuations. The International Leaders strategy consists of 40 to 70 companies, with capitalization, regional and sector weightings varying over time.

Investment Objective

We believe that strong corporate performance is the foundation of superior long-term investment returns. The essence of corporate success lies in building intrinsic strength in managing human capital, financial resources, and stakeholder relationships and delivering quality, innovation, service, and value to customers. Companies that lead in these critical areas tend to produce better returns on capital, over a longer time horizon, with greater consistency and less risk.

Strategy

William Blair implements this philosophy within the International Growth strategy using an integrated and collegial research process that facilitates peer-to-peer communication between portfolio management and research. We use sophisticated proprietary quantitative tools to bolster each part of the fundamental research, strategy, and portfolio management process, resulting in a well-defined and repeatable investment approach. We seek to invest in companies across sectors, regions, and capitalizations that exhibit consistent profitability and growth, better-than-peer balance sheets, and reasonable valuations. The International Growth strategy consists of 180 to 240 companies across capitalizations, with regional and sector weightings varying over time.

Mutual Fund

William Blair International Growth Fund

Investment Objective

We believe that strong corporate performance is the foundation of superior long-term investment returns. The essence of corporate success lies in building intrinsic strength in managing human capital, financial resources, and stakeholder relationships and delivering quality, innovation, service, and value to customers. Companies that lead in these critical areas tend to produce better returns on capital, over a longer time horizon, with greater consistency and less risk.

Strategy

William Blair implements this philosophy within the International Developed Plus strategy using an integrated and collegial research process that facilitates peer-to-peer communication between portfolio management and research. We use sophisticated proprietary quantitative tools to bolster each part of the fundamental research, strategy, and portfolio management process, resulting in a well-defined and repeatable investment approach. We seek to invest largely in developed market companies, as well as locally or globally dominant emerging market companies, that exhibit consistent profitability and growth, better-than-peer balance sheets, and reasonable valuations. The International Developed Plus strategy consists of 60 to 120 mid to large cap companies, with regional and sector weightings varying over time.

William Blair International Equity Fund

Investment Objective

We believe that strong corporate performance is the foundation of superior long-term investment returns. The essence of corporate success lies in building intrinsic strength in managing human capital, financial resources, and stakeholder relationships and delivering quality, innovation, service, and value to customers. Companies that lead in these critical areas tend to produce better returns on capital, over a longer time horizon, with greater consistency and less risk.

Strategy

William Blair implements this philosophy within the International Small Cap Growth strategy using an integrated and collegial research process that facilitates peer-to-peer communication between portfolio management and research. We use sophisticated proprietary quantitative tools to bolster each part of the fundamental research, strategy, and portfolio management process, resulting in a well-defined and repeatable investment approach. We seek to invest in companies that are locally dominant or leaders in their industry that exhibit consistent profitability and growth, better-than-peer balance sheets, and reasonable valuations. The International Small Cap Growth strategy consists of 80 to 125 companies less than $5 billion in total market capitalization, with regional and sector weightings varying over time.

Mutual Fund

William Blair International Small Cap Growth Fund

Investment Objective

We believe that strong corporate performance is the foundation of superior long-term investment returns. The essence of corporate success lies in building intrinsic strength in managing human capital, financial resources, and stakeholder relationships and delivering quality, innovation, service, and value to customers. Companies that lead in these critical areas tend to produce better returns on capital, over a longer time horizon, with greater consistency and less risk.

Strategy

William Blair implements this philosophy within the Emerging Markets Leaders strategy using an integrated and collegial research process that facilitates peer-to-peer communication between portfolio management and research. We use sophisticated proprietary quantitative tools to bolster each part of the fundamental research, strategy, and portfolio management process, resulting in a well-defined and repeatable investment approach. We seek to invest in world leaders, regional champions or locally dominant companies that exhibit consistent profitability and growth, better-than-peer balance sheets, and reasonable valuations. The Emerging Markets Leaders strategy consists of 50 to 80 companies that have a float-adjusted market cap greater than $3 billion at purchase, with regional and sector weightings varying over time.

Mutual Fund

William Blair Emerging Markets Leaders Fund

Investment Objective

We believe that strong corporate performance is the foundation of superior long-term investment returns. The essence of corporate success lies in building intrinsic strength in managing human capital, financial resources, and stakeholder relationships and delivering quality, innovation, service, and value to customers. Companies that lead in these critical areas tend to produce better returns on capital, over a longer time horizon, with greater consistency and less risk.

Strategy

William Blair implements this philosophy within the Emerging Markets Growth strategy using an integrated and collegial research process that facilitates peer-to-peer communication between portfolio management and research. We use sophisticated proprietary quantitative tools to bolster each part of the fundamental research, strategy, and portfolio management process, resulting in a well-defined and repeatable investment approach. We seek to invest in companies across sectors, regions, and capitalizations that exhibit consistent profitability and growth, better-than-peer balance sheets, and reasonable valuations. The Emerging Markets Growth strategy consists of 80 to 125 companies across capitalizations, with regional and sector weightings varying over time.

Mutual Fund

William Blair Emerging Markets Growth Fund

Investment Objective

We believe that strong corporate performance is the foundation of superior long-term investment returns. The essence of corporate success lies in building intrinsic strength in managing human capital, financial resources, and stakeholder relationships and delivering quality, innovation, service, and value to customers. Companies that lead in these critical areas tend to produce better returns on capital, over a longer time horizon, with greater consistency and less risk.

Strategy

William Blair implements this philosophy within the Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth strategy using an integrated and collegial research process that facilitates peer-to-peer communication among portfolio management, strategy, and research. We use sophisticated proprietary quantitative tools to bolster each part of the fundamental research and portfolio management process, resulting in a well-defined and repeatable investment approach. We seek to invest in companies that are locally dominant or leaders in their industry that exhibit consistent profitability and growth, better-than-peer balance sheets, and reasonable valuations. The Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth strategy consists of 80 to 125 companies less than $5 billion in total market capitalization, with regional and sector weightings varying over time.

Mutual Fund

William Blair Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth Fund

Investment Objective

The Core Fixed Income strategy invests in U.S. dollar denominated, investment-grade securities. Portfolios include a mix of primarily U.S. government, corporate, and mortgage-backed securities. The primary investment objective is to outperform the Lehman Aggregate Index over a market cycle.

Mutual Fund

William Blair Bond Fund

Investment Objective

The Intermediate Core Fixed Income strategy invests in U.S. dollar denominated, investment-grade securities. Portfolios include a mix of primarily U.S. government, corporate, and mortgage-backed securities. The primary investment objective is to outperform the Lehman Intermediate Government/Credit Index.

Mutual Fund

William Blair Income Fund

William Blair Hedge Fund of Funds offers an array of fund of hedge fund strategies based on stringent manager selection and effective fund construction processes. Our highly experienced fund of funds team has specialized in developing and managing multi-manager hedge fund of funds strategies for more than 10 years. The strategies include: absolute return, equity long/short, opportunistic, managed futures, and commodity long/short. The team is led by a seasoned investment committee that is committed to its goal of delivering on commitments, high-quality client service, integrity, and long-term relationships.

Visit the William Blair Fund of Funds website for more information.

We offer discretionary global portfolios implemented through a range of long and short macro strategies across asset classes, credits, currencies, themes, styles, and volatility exposure.

Our Dynamic Allocation team has worked together for more than 15 years at Brinson Partners (UBS), Singer Partners, and now William Blair. This highly experienced team has applied the same investment process, philosophy, and discipline across all of these experiences and has managed assets across a variety of balanced and absolute return strategies. Our view on markets and currencies—unconstrained by geography, asset class, sector, or capitalization—is designed to allow our portfolios to benefit from tactical market dislocations over the course of a market cycle.

Visit the Dynamic Allocation Strategies website for more information.