Artisan Value Fund: Overview, Strategy, and Key Facts

The Artisan Value Fund is a U.S.-based mutual fund managed by Artisan Partners, focusing on value investing in large-cap U.S. stocks. The fund aims to deliver long-term capital growth through disciplined stock selection and risk management.

Artisan Value Fund: Overview, Strategy, and Key Facts

What is the Artisan Value Fund?

The Artisan Value Fund is a mutual fund managed by Artisan Partners, a global investment management firm based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Launched in March 2006, the fund focuses on value investing, targeting primarily U.S. large-cap stocks trading below their intrinsic value.

Investment Strategy

The fund employs a bottom-up, fundamental research approach to identify companies considered undervalued relative to their long-term earnings potential. Portfolio managers seek businesses with strong balance sheets, steady cash flows, and sustainable competitive advantages.

According to Artisan Partners, the Value Fund typically holds between 30 and 40 securities, with sector and position sizes managed to mitigate risk. The fund avoids speculative or unproven growth stocks, instead concentrating on companies with established track records and management teams.

Performance and Assets

As of May 2024, the Artisan Value Fund (Institutional Class: ARTKX) manages over $7 billion in assets under management. Morningstar rates it as a four-star fund, citing consistent outperformance relative to its benchmark, the Russell 1000 Value Index, over the past decade.

According to the firm’s published data, the fund returned an annualized 10.7% over the past five years, compared to the benchmark’s 9.2% (as of March 31, 2024). Past performance does not guarantee future results, and returns can fluctuate with market conditions.

Management and Fees

The Artisan Value Fund is co-managed by portfolio managers George Sertl, Sam Gealer, and Daniel Kane, who have led the fund since its inception. The Institutional Class shares carry a net expense ratio of 0.91%, while the Investor Class charges 1.11%, according to the latest prospectus.

The fund requires a minimum initial investment of $1,000 for Investor shares and $1 million for Institutional shares.

Investor Profile and Accessibility

The fund is designed for long-term investors seeking capital appreciation through disciplined value investing. Shares are available to U.S. investors through brokers, financial advisors, and directly via Artisan Partners.

Artisan Partners states the Value Fund is not suitable for investors seeking short-term gains or those unable to tolerate volatility associated with equity markets.