Latest news with #BaronSmallCapFund
Yahoo
11-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Does Neogen Corporation (NEOG) Have a Significant Upside?
Baron Funds, an investment management company, released its 'Baron Small Cap Fund' second-quarter 2025 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. In the second quarter of 2025, the fund was up 10.38%% (Institutional Shares) compared to the Russell 2000 Growth Index's (the Index) 11.97% return. Year to date, the Fund is up 0.36% compared to the index's (0.48)% return. Small-cap stocks recovered well during the quarter and performed in line with the overall market but have significantly trailed larger-cap stocks this year. In addition, please check the fund's top five holdings to know its best picks in 2025. In its second-quarter 2025 investor letter, Baron Small Cap Fund highlighted stocks such as Neogen Corporation (NASDAQ:NEOG). Neogen Corporation (NASDAQ:NEOG) engages in the development of various products and services dedicated to food and animal safety. The one-month return of Neogen Corporation (NASDAQ:NEOG) was -2.68%, and its shares lost 69.06% of their value over the last 52 weeks. On August 8, 2025, Neogen Corporation (NASDAQ:NEOG) stock closed at $5.08 per share, with a market capitalization of $1.103 billion. Baron Small Cap Fund stated the following regarding Neogen Corporation (NASDAQ:NEOG) in its second quarter 2025 investor letter: "Shares of Neogen Corporation (NASDAQ:NEOG), a leading provider of food and animal safety products, detracted from performance. The company reported weak fiscal Q3 2025 earnings, lowered its fiscal 2025 guidance, and announced that its CEO will step down later this year. Several years of M&A integration and operational hiccups have cratered the stock. We expect near-term volatility to persist but retain long-term conviction. We added to our position as shares have significant upside. The company is selling non-core businesses at goal prices, which is de-levering its balance sheet and should enhance the growth profile. We are hopeful that the company is nearing the end of its transition and will revert to nice growth shortly." A research laboratory showing advanced diagnostic equipment used to protect public health. Neogen Corporation (NASDAQ:NEOG) is not on our list of 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 15 hedge fund portfolios held Neogen Corporation (NASDAQ:NEOG) at the end of the first quarter, which was 15 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of Neogen Corporation (NASDAQ:NEOG) as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. In another article, we covered Neogen Corporation (NASDAQ:NEOG) and shared Conestoga Capital Advisors' views on the company. In addition, please check out our hedge fund investor letters Q2 2025 page for more investor letters from hedge funds and other leading investors. READ NEXT: The Best and Worst Dow Stocks for the Next 12 Months and 10 Unstoppable Stocks That Could Double Your Money. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
11-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Should You Continue to Hold ASGN Incorporated (ASGN)?
Baron Funds, an investment management company, released its 'Baron Small Cap Fund' second-quarter 2025 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. In the second quarter of 2025, the fund was up 10.38%% (Institutional Shares) compared to the Russell 2000 Growth Index's (the Index) 11.97% return. Year to date, the Fund is up 0.36% compared to the index's (0.48)% return. Small-cap stocks recovered well during the quarter and performed in line with the overall market but have significantly trailed larger-cap stocks this year. In addition, please check the fund's top five holdings to know its best picks in 2025. In its second-quarter 2025 investor letter, Baron Small Cap Fund highlighted stocks such as ASGN Incorporated (NYSE:ASGN). Based in Glen Allen, Virginia, ASGN Incorporated (NYSE:ASGN) is an information technology services and professional solutions provider in the technology, digital, and creative fields. The one-month return of ASGN Incorporated (NYSE:ASGN) was 1.94%, and its shares lost 43.19% of their value over the last 52 weeks. On August 8, 2025, ASGN Incorporated (NYSE:ASGN) stock closed at $49.44 per share, with a market capitalization of $2.165 billion. Baron Small Cap Fund stated the following regarding ASGN Incorporated (NYSE:ASGN) in its second quarter 2025 investor letter: "ASGN Incorporated (NYSE:ASGN) is the second largest staffing firm in the U.S., providing IT and professional services across the technology, digital, and creative fields for both commercial and government clients. Customers remain cautious with spending and hesitant to initiate new IT projects without greater clarity on the economic outlook. Earnings per share guidance for the second quarter came in roughly 12% below consensus, reflecting flat revenue expectations and margin pressure tied to the loss of Department of Government Efficiency business and a higher mix of lower-margin federal contracts. Consulting services grew nearly 5% organically and now represent approximately 61% of total revenue, up 400 basis points year-over-year, and that book of business, in our opinion, is worth a higher multiple. We continue to believe that ASGN is well positioned to meet the IT needs of its clients as demand normalizes over time and that the stock is cheap." A finance executive tapping away on a digital tablet, demonstrating the company's digital innovation. ASGN Incorporated (NYSE:ASGN) is not on our list of 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 21 hedge fund portfolios held ASGN Incorporated (NYSE:ASGN) at the end of the first quarter, which was 24 in the previous quarter. In the second quarter of 2025, ASGN Incorporated (NYSE: ASGN) reported revenues of $1.02 billion, which represents a 1.4% decrease year-over-year; however, it surpassed guidance expectations. While we acknowledge the potential of ASGN Incorporated (NYSE:ASGN) as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. In another article, we covered ASGN Incorporated (NYSE:ASGN) and shared the list of best beaten down stocks to buy according to analysts. In addition, please check out our hedge fund investor letters Q2 2025 page for more investor letters from hedge funds and other leading investors. READ NEXT: The Best and Worst Dow Stocks for the Next 12 Months and 10 Unstoppable Stocks That Could Double Your Money. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
11-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
ICON plc (ICLR) Fell due to Persistent Volatility in the Clinical Development Market
Baron Funds, an investment management company, released its 'Baron Small Cap Fund' second-quarter 2025 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. In the second quarter of 2025, the fund was up 10.38%% (Institutional Shares) compared to the Russell 2000 Growth Index's (the Index) 11.97% return. Year to date, the Fund is up 0.36% compared to the index's (0.48)% return. Small-cap stocks recovered well during the quarter and performed in line with the overall market but have significantly trailed larger-cap stocks this year. In addition, please check the fund's top five holdings to know its best picks in 2025. In its second-quarter 2025 investor letter, Baron Small Cap Fund highlighted stocks such as ICON Public Limited Company (NASDAQ:ICLR). Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, ICON Public Limited Company (NASDAQ:ICLR) is a clinical research organization. The one-month return of ICON Public Limited Company (NASDAQ:ICLR) was 5.97%, and its shares lost 49.17% of their value over the last 52 weeks. On August 8, 2025, ICON Public Limited Company (NASDAQ:ICLR) stock closed at $158.44 per share with a market capitalization of $12.322 billion. Baron Small Cap Fund stated the following regarding ICON Public Limited Company (NASDAQ:ICLR) in its second quarter 2025 investor letter: "ICON Public Limited Company (NASDAQ:ICLR) is a leading contract research organization serving the global biopharmaceutical industry. Shares declined after another soft quarter, marked by persistent volatility in the clinical development market. Bookings lagged as clients deferred decisions, tightened R&D budgets, and canceled or delayed projects, prompting management to lower 2025 guidance and remove two next-generation COVID-19 vaccine studies with uncertain timelines. Despite industry-wide headwinds, long-term demand for outsourced drug development services remains strong. We expect global pharmaceutical R&D spending to continue growing and believe scaled providers like ICON are well positioned to expand and gain share over time. The shares trade at half their prior multiple offering great value." A laboratory setting with a team of scientists working on a clinical trial. ICON Public Limited Company (NASDAQ:ICLR) is not on our list of 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 44 hedge fund portfolios held ICON Public Limited Company (NASDAQ:ICLR) at the end of the first quarter, which was 46 in the previous quarter. ICON Public Limited Company (NASDAQ:ICLR) reported revenue of $2.017 billion in Q2 2025, representing a year-on-year decrease of 4.8%. While we acknowledge the potential of ICON Public Limited Company (NASDAQ:ICLR) as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. In another article, we covered ICON Public Limited Company (NASDAQ:ICLR) and shared Oakmark Equity and Income Fund's views on the company. In addition, please check out our hedge fund investor letters Q2 2025 page for more investor letters from hedge funds and other leading investors. READ NEXT: The Best and Worst Dow Stocks for the Next 12 Months and 10 Unstoppable Stocks That Could Double Your Money. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
09-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Here's What Boosted Vertiv Holdings Co (VRT) in Q2
Baron Funds, an investment management company, released its 'Baron Small Cap Fund' second-quarter 2025 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. In the second quarter of 2025, the fund was up 10.38%% (Institutional Shares) compared to the Russell 2000 Growth Index's (the Index) 11.97% return. Year to date, the Fund is up 0.36% compared to the index's (0.48)% return. Small-cap stocks recovered well during the quarter and performed in line with the overall market but have significantly trailed larger-cap stocks this year. In addition, please check the fund's top five holdings to know its best picks in 2025. In its second-quarter 2025 investor letter, Baron Small Cap Fund highlighted stocks such as Vertiv Holdings Co. (NYSE:VRT). Vertiv Holdings Co. (NYSE:VRT) provides critical digital infrastructure technologies and life cycle services for data centers, communication networks, and commercial and industrial environments. The one-month return of Vertiv Holdings Co. (NYSE:VRT) was 13.05%, and its shares gained 95.06% of their value over the last 52 weeks. On August 7, 2025, Vertiv Holdings Co. (NYSE:VRT) stock closed at $139.39 per share, with a market capitalization of $53.228 billion. Baron Small Cap Fund stated the following regarding Vertiv Holdings Co (NYSE:VRT) in its second quarter 2025 investor letter: "Vertiv Holdings Co (NYSE:VRT), a leading provider of cooling, power, and IT management solutions for data centers, contributed to performance during the quarter. The stock rallied nearly 80% in the second quarter as the market grew more confident in the durability of data center investment, particularly AI infrastructure, especially amid concerns of a slowdown and tariff impacts just a few months ago. Vertiv is deeply embedded in its customers' technology roadmaps and stands to benefit as AI data centers become increasingly complex and require more advanced power and cooling solutions. Vertiv remains a top holding as it maintains a strong competitive advantage and is well positioned for multi-year growth. We believe Vertiv can grow its EBITDA at strong double-digit rates for the foreseeable future, and the stock can compound from here." A close-up of a group of technicians working on complex data center systems. Vertiv Holdings Co (NYSE:VRT) is not on our list of 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 90 hedge fund portfolios held Vertiv Holdings Co (NYSE:VRT) at the end of the first quarter, which was 92 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of Vertiv Holdings Co (NYSE:VRT) as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. In another article, we covered Vertiv Holdings Co (NYSE:VRT) and shared top AI stocks taking Wall Street by storm. In addition, please check out our hedge fund investor letters Q2 2025 page for more investor letters from hedge funds and other leading investors. READ NEXT: The Best and Worst Dow Stocks for the Next 12 Months and 10 Unstoppable Stocks That Could Double Your Money. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kinsale Capital Group (KNSL) Reported Better-Than-Expected Growth in Q1
Baron Funds, an investment management company, released its 'Baron Small Cap Fund' first-quarter 2025 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. In the first quarter of 2025, the fund was down 9.07% (Institutional Shares) compared to the Russell 2000 Growth Index's (the Index) -11.12% return. Small-cap stocks continued to underperform larger market caps meaningfully, so the Fund lagged the Russell 3000 Index, which fell 4.72% in the quarter. In addition, please check the fund's top five holdings to know its best picks in 2025. In its first-quarter 2025 investor letter, Baron Small Cap Fund highlighted stocks such as Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. (NYSE:KNSL). Founded in 2009, Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. (NYSE:KNSL) is a property and casualty insurance company. The one-month return of Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. (NYSE:KNSL) was 9.29%, and its shares gained 18.27% of their value over the last 52 weeks. On May 23, 2025, Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. (NYSE:KNSL) stock closed at $463.61 per share with a market capitalization of $10.807 billion. Baron Small Cap Fund stated the following regarding Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. (NYSE:KNSL) in its Q1 2025 investor letter: "Specialty insurer Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. (NYSE:KNSL) contributed to performance due to continued growth in the company's end market and the relative stability of insurance stocks in a risk-off market. The company reported better-than-expected earnings in the most recent quarter, despite slowing premium growth. Earnings per share grew 19% and return on equity remained elevated at 30% due to strong underwriting margins and higher investment income. Excess & Surplus insurance market conditions remain favorable with recent data indicating continued double-digit growth due to share gains from the Standard market. We believe Kinsale is well managed and has a long runway for growth in an attractive segment of the insurance market." A Professional insurance broker discussing coverage plans with a small business owner. Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. (NYSE:KNSL) is not on our list of 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 33 hedge fund portfolios held Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. (NYSE:KNSL) at the end of the first quarter, which was 36 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. (NYSE:KNSL) as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is as promising as NVIDIA but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the undervalued AI stock set for massive gains. In another article, we covered Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. (NYSE:KNSL) and shared the list of stocks on Jim Cramer's radar. Madison Mid Cap Fund initiated a position in Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. (NYSE:KNSL) in Q1 2025. In addition, please check out our hedge fund investor letters Q1 2025 page for more investor letters from hedge funds and other leading investors. READ NEXT: Michael Burry Is Selling These Stocks and A New Dawn Is Coming to US Stocks. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
