Intellectual curiosity, accountability, and a strive for excellence are hallmarks of Bailard’s equity teams. Our independence, along with being women-led and our broad employee ownership, allow innovation to flourish among a diversity of ideas and backgrounds. Our long-tenured and highly-skilled teams create and continually refine specialized and differentiated equity strategies where we perceive we have a definable advantage, in both U.S. and international equity markets. Each strategy features a portfolio management team with the support and resources of the broader investment team to harness deep style and sector expertise, and advanced quantitative acumen.
U.S. Equity Strategies
Technology
Delivering broad, impactful investment opportunities through a high-conviction portfolio of technology-focused companies.
The Bailard Technology Strategy delivers a high-conviction, durable portfolio of technology-focused companies. We apply fundamental research and systematic methodologies to identify opportunities across two key technology segments: core growth and rising stars. The Strategy captures broad, impactful investment opportunities across the globe, including advances in automobile electrification, factory automation, AI and machine learning, e-commerce, digital payments, wireless services, Internet of Things (IoT), mobile devices, hyperscale data centers and high-performance computing, e-sports, online entertainment, remote work, business intelligence, and workforce optimization.
Performance
Total Return, As of 3/31/24 | Quarter | YTD | 1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gross of Fees | 17.19% | 17.19% | 60.72% | 13.10% | 22.26% | 19.89% |
Net of Fees | 17.08% | 17.08% | 60.00% | 12.36% | 21.42% | 19.06% |
Morningstar U.S. Open End Technology | 8.56% | 8.56% | 31.14% | 1.64% | 14.05% | 14.51% |
Lipper Science and Technology Fund Index | 12.18% | 12.18% | 38.74% | 5.13% | 16.64% | 15.87% |
S&P North American Technology Index | 15.31% | 15.31% | 52.97% | 13.65% | 21.25% | 20.18% |
Past performance is no indication of future results. All investments involve a risk of loss. Net of fee performance is calculated by netting down the gross return by actual management fees as of the date paid from each account.
The integration of ESG considerations as part of the Strategy may result in the exclusion of securities that might otherwise merit investment, potentially resulting in lower returns than a similar investment strategy without such considerations. Investors can differ in their views of what constitutes positive or negative ESG characteristics. As a result, the strategy may invest in issuers that do not reflect the ESG beliefs and values of any particular investor.
In evaluating a security or issuer based on ESG considerations, we are dependent upon certain information and data from third-party providers of ESG research, which may be incomplete, inaccurate, or unavailable. As a result, there is a risk that we may incorrectly assess a security or issuer. We do not make any representation or warranty, express or implied, with respect to the fairness, correctness, accuracy, reasonableness, or completeness of such ESG assessment. There may be limited availability of ESG data in certain sectors, as well as limited availability of investments with positive ESG assessments in certain sectors. Our evaluation of ESG criteria is subjective and may change over time.
There are risks involved in investing, including the risk of loss and the risk that the market value of your investments will fluctuate as the stock market fluctuates. Investments in a particular style may underperform other styles of investing or the overall market. Please see the respective strategy’s fact sheet above for additional important risk and performance disclosures, as well as at the bottom of this page.
Portfolio Managers
Bailard Technology Strategy Named to Pensions & Investments’ Top-Performing Equity Managers as of Q4 2023
The Bailard Technology Strategy was a top performer in Morningstar's Overall U.S. Separate Accounts Category over 1-year period, and Morningstar's Technology Category over 1- and 5-year periods ending December 31, 2023
Bailard in Pensions & Investments, “GenAI is an accelerant to cybersecurity threats — here’s where the opportunity lies for institutional investors”
Generative Artificial Intelligence, or "GenAI," has captured the world's imagination. We have written extensively on the trend and believe it will catalyze a sharp increase in productivity of knowledge workers. We are already seeing strong evidence of impact in several industries. Unfortunately, we also believe GenAI will serve as an accelerant to cybersecurity threats. Like strong winds in a forest fire, this will further enflame an already roiling threat landscape, enhancing the need for cybersecurity solutions and serving as a tailwind to cybersecurity demand.
Bailard Ft. on Yahoo Finance Broadcast, “2024 Tech Outlook: Will AI Plays Still Be All the Rage?”
Our EVP of Domestic Equities and Head of Technology Investing Dave Harrison Smith, CFA joined a live Yahoo Finance broadcast to discuss his outlook for tech investing in 2024, including what comes next after Generative AI’s initial debut.
Technology Opportunities
In the technology space where relatively unknown players can become the next market leaders, this strategy provides a concentrated long biased equity portfolio of emerging, disruptive, and high-growth technology companies.
The Bailard Technology Opportunities Strategy is a concentrated portfolio of our highest conviction ideas in disruptive, high-growth technology companies deploying next generation products and services with the capacity to revolutionize industries worldwide. Target investments are companies that we believe demonstrate rapid product adoption and have large addressable markets and expertise in management and operational efficiency. The Strategy additionally seeks to exploit alpha opportunities by selling short positions in disrupted and maturing technology companies.
Capturing broad, impactful investment opportunities across the globe, the Strategy integrates ESG considerations to limit important sources of non-financial risk. Our aim is to better protect investors from the risks associated with poor corporate governance, subpar environmental policy management, and discriminatory workplace practices.
Performance
Total Return, As of 3/31/2024 | Quarter | YTD | 1 Year | 3 Years | Since Inception (June 2019) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gross of Fees | 6.65% | 6.65% | 37.95% | -1.63% | 8.42% |
Net of Fees & Incentive Allocation | 6.11% | 6.11% | 30.57% | -4.52% | 4.54% |
Russell 2000 Growth Index | 7.58% | 7.58% | 20.31% | -2.71% | 8.52% |
Russell 2000 Growth Technology Index | 17.75% | 17.75% | 34.17% | 1.08% | 10.81% |
Past performance is no indication of future results. All investments involve a risk of loss. Net performance is calculated using a 1% model annual investment management fee deducted monthly, and a 20% incentive allocation (subject to a 5% hurdle rate) accrued monthly and deducted annually. There are risks involved in investing, including the risk of loss and the risk that the market value of your investments will fluctuate as the stock market fluctuates. Investments in a particular style may underperform other styles of investing or the overall market. Please see the respective strategy’s fact sheet above for additional important risk and performance disclosures, as well as at the bottom of this page.
Portfolio Manager
Bailard in Pensions & Investments, “GenAI is an accelerant to cybersecurity threats — here’s where the opportunity lies for institutional investors”
February 15, 2024
Generative Artificial Intelligence, or "GenAI," has captured the world's imagination. We have written extensively on the trend and believe it will catalyze a sharp increase in productivity of knowledge workers. We are already seeing strong evidence of impact in several industries. Unfortunately, we also believe GenAI will serve as an accelerant to cybersecurity threats. Like strong winds in a forest fire, this will further enflame an already roiling threat landscape, enhancing the need for cybersecurity solutions and serving as a tailwind to cybersecurity demand.
Bailard Ft. on Yahoo Finance Broadcast, “2024 Tech Outlook: Will AI Plays Still Be All the Rage?”
January 2, 2024
Our EVP of Domestic Equities and Head of Technology Investing Dave Harrison Smith, CFA joined a live Yahoo Finance broadcast to discuss his outlook for tech investing in 2024, including what comes next after Generative AI’s initial debut.
Small Cap Value ESG
Behavioral anomalies meet proprietary ESG and other factors to take advantage of untapped opportunities in the underfollowed – and ESG score biased – small and micro cap space.
A dedicated ESG portfolio, Bailard’s Small Cap Value ESG Strategy uses proprietary behavioral finance techniques and our ESG Capture® framework to identify investment opportunities and avoid pitfalls. We use a disciplined, repeatable process specifically designed for the unique nature of the small cap stock universe, with thousands of companies and little concentration. Bailard enhanced the investment team and process in 2019 by adding ESG expertise and adopting ESG Capture® scoring methodology tailored to the small and micro cap stock universe, where there is limited ESG data and vendor score coverage.
Performance
Total Return, As of 3/31/24 | Quarter | YTD | 1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gross of Fees | 4.45% | 4.45% | 24.81% | 6.60% | 11.70% | 8.64% |
Net of Fees | 4.35% | 4.35% | 24.35% | 6.20% | 11.29% | 8.24% |
Russell 2000 Value Index | 2.90% | 2.90% | 18.74% | 2.20% | 8.14% | 6.86% |
Past performance is no indication of future results. All investments involve a risk of loss. Net of fee performance is calculated by netting down the gross return by actual management fees as of the date paid from each account. There are risks involved in investing, including the risk of loss and the risk that the market value of your investments will fluctuate as the stock market fluctuates. Investments in a particular style may underperform other styles of investing or the overall market. Please see the respective strategy’s fact sheet above for additional important risk and performance disclosures, as well as at the bottom of this page.
Portfolio Managers
Thought Series: Busting Value Stock Myths
An investigation of what creates skepticism around value stocks, and six of the many myths that reappear time and again.
Does Company Size Bias in ESG Scores Impact Small Cap Investors?
While it is well known that ESG scores tend to have a size bias which favors the larger companies among the universe of large capitalization stocks – does this bias exist in the small cap space?
Predatory Lending: An Important but Often Overlooked ESG Investment Consideration
More than a year into the COVID-19 public health crisis, it is clear that while lifestyle disruptions were universal, the economic upheavals caused by the virus fell largely on the less financially secure members of society.
Broad Impact
True to its impact namesake, this strategy offers a portfolio of companies we believe will have a net positive impact on society and the planet while providing a return on capital.
Bailard’s Broad Impact Strategy seeks long-term capital appreciation with a portfolio best positioned for the world into which we are heading. Through targeted investment in public companies, this benchmark agnostic portfolio is intended to have a net positive impact on society over the short-, medium-, and/or long-term. We invest in companies we believe are leaders on inclusion and sustainability through business practices, products, and/or services. The Strategy includes companies identified by Bailard’s investment research team in the macro-themes of Inclusion and Sustainability, and 21 underlying micro-themes.
Portfolio Managers
The Bailard Broad Impact Strategy is only suitable for clients that can handle the risk of investing in large, small, and micro cap equities, and may include companies in disruptive and transformative industries. Small and micro companies may face greater economic cycle risk, credit risk, geographic risk, product, and customer concentration risk than that faced by larger companies. Small cap and—to a greater extent—micro cap stocks are more volatile and less liquid than larger cap stocks and may be more difficult to trade.
The application of various environmental, social and governance screens as part of a socially responsible investment strategy may result in the exclusion of securities that might otherwise merit investment, potentially resulting in lower returns than a similar investment strategy without such screens or other strategies that use a different methodology to exclude issuers or evaluate ESG criteria.
Investors can differ in their views of what constitutes positive or negative ESG characteristics. As a result, the strategy may invest in issuers that do not reflect the ESG beliefs and values of any particular investor.
In evaluating a security or issuer based on ESG criteria, we are dependent upon certain information and data from third party providers of ESG research, which may be incomplete, inaccurate or unavailable. As a result, there is a risk that we may incorrectly assess a security or issuer. There is also a risk that we may not apply the relevant ESG criteria correctly or that the strategy could have indirect exposure to issuers that do not meet the relevant ESG criteria used by the strategy. We do not make any representation or warranty, express or implied, with respect to the fairness, correctness, accuracy, reasonableness or completeness of such ESG assessment. There may be limitations with respect to availability of ESG data in certain sectors, as well as limited availability of investments with positive ESG assessments in certain sectors. Our evaluation of ESG criteria is subjective and may change over time.
The market value of an investment will fluctuate as securities markets fluctuate. There can be no assurance that this or any investment strategy will achieve its investment objectives. All investments have the risk of loss.
Value-Based Care: Aligning Interests for Patients, Providers & Payors
July 14, 2023
There’s an alternative to the traditional fee-for-service healthcare model. Ryan Vasilik, CFA, Equity Analyst, sheds light on the opportunities that abound with value-based care.
Corporate Engagement Update Q3 2023
July 11, 2023
Bailard’s approach to corporate engagement focuses on both the shareholder process and supporting other stakeholders working to improve disclosures on important environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues.
COP 15: The Historic United Nations Biodiversity Conference
December 30, 2022
McKenzie Fulkerson-Jones, ESG Analyst, explains the key facets of the landmark agreement that emerged from the United Nations Biodiversity Conference.
Smart ESG™ US All Cap
Designed to have a low tracking error to the Russell 3000 Index, this Smart ESG™ strategy utilizes our proprietary process of scoring ESG attributes and optimization software to provide a dedicated ESG portfolio.
Bailard’s Smart ESG™ US All Cap Strategy is a dedicated ESG strategy seeking a low tracking error to a broad market benchmark, the Russell 3000 Index. Utilizing Bailard’s proprietary ESG Capture® scoring methodology, the portfolio is tilted toward ESG leaders and away from ESG laggards to help mitigate long-term portfolio risks. The Strategy also avoids investments in fossil fuels, controversial weapons, and a number of products that adversely affect women, girls, and disadvantaged communities. Exclusionary criteria may be customized to align with our clients’ values.
Performance
Total Return, As of 3/31/24 | Quarter | YTD | 1 Year | 3 Year | 5 Year | Since Inception (6/30/2018) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gross of Fees | 10.47% | 10.47% | 26.05% | 8.37% | 14.28% | 12.22% |
Net of Fees | 10.43% | 10.43% | 25.65% | 7.93% | 13.73% | 11.67% |
Russell 3000 Index | 10.02% | 10.02% | 29.28% | 9.77% | 14.33% | 12.81% |
Past performance is no indication of future results. All investments involve a risk of loss. Net of fee performance is calculated by netting down the gross return by actual management fees as of the date paid from each account. There are risks involved in investing, including the risk of loss and the risk that the market value of your investments will fluctuate as the stock market fluctuates. Investments in a particular style may underperform other styles of investing or the overall market. Please see the respective strategy’s fact sheet above for additional important risk and performance disclosures, as well as at the bottom of this page.
Portfolio Managers
Bailard CEO Ft. in Forbes, “Three Ways To Put Your Values And Your Team First In A Competitive Market”
May 2, 2024
Bailard's CEO Sonya Mughal, CFA offered three insightful ways leaders in the industry can fortify their culture and step up their communication practices to attract and retain high-performing teams.
Country Indices Flash Report – April 2024
April 30, 2024
The Japanese yen hit its lowest level versus the dollar since the 1980s late in the month, followed by a sharp bounce in the currency, which most suspect was driven by official intervention.
Quarterly International Equity Strategy Q1 2024
April 25, 2024
The global economic environment changed dramatically in the first quarter as bond yields, which had marched down in the 4th quarter on the belief that central bank pivots were fast approaching, reversed course. Prospects for mid-year reductions in short-term interest rates remain high for Europe and the UK, but persistent strength in the U.S. labor market has pushed prospects for a shift there closer to the end of 2024. Still, non-U.S. equities found purchase in solid earnings even as they faced headwinds from a strong dollar due to the evolving central bank dynamics and heightened geopolitical risks. As noted below, we see a range of foreign stocks that can flourish in the current environment and remain excited for the potential of stocks both in developed and emerging markets to compete well against U.S. peers.
International Equity Strategies
International Equity
Backed by more than 25 years navigating the non-US markets, this strategy taps three sources of uncorrelated alpha while providing broad developed and emerging market exposure.
The Bailard International Equity Strategy applies a quantitative approach to investing, where we utilize a disciplined, consistent, and repeatable investment methodology. The Strategy combines a top-down, country-focused approach with bottom-up stock selection that seeks to uncover opportunities within our best-ranked markets. This durable strategy combines country selection, stock selection, and tactical currency hedging in periods of perceived U.S. dollar strength to harness three uncorrelated sources of alpha.
Performance
Total Return, As of 3/31/2024 | Quarter | YTD | 1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gross of Fees | 8.17% | 8.17% | 22.26% | 6.12% | 8.64% | 5.31% |
Net of Fees | 8.07% | 8.07% | 21.80% | 5.71% | 8.23% | 4.91% |
MSCI EAFE Index | 5.78% | 5.78% | 15.32% | 4.78% | 7.33% | 4.80% |
Past performance is no indication of future results. All investments involve a risk of loss. Performance is annualized for periods grater than one year. Net of fee performance is calculated by netting down the gross return by actual management fees as of the date paid from each account. There are risks involved in investing, including the risk of loss and the risk that the market value of your investments will fluctuate as the stock market fluctuates. International and emerging market equities are subject to increased risks due to economic or political instability, differences in accounting principles, and fluctuating exchange rates, with heightened risks for emerging markets. Investments in a particular style may underperform other styles of investing or the overall market. Please see the respective strategy’s fact sheet above for additional important risk and performance disclosures, as well as at the bottom of this page.
Portfolio Managers
Country Indices Flash Report – April 2024
April 30, 2024
The Japanese yen hit its lowest level versus the dollar since the 1980s late in the month, followed by a sharp bounce in the currency, which most suspect was driven by official intervention.
Country Indices Flash Report – March 2024
March 29, 2024
Inflation continued to moderate across most major markets: the Fed’s preferred Core PCE reading cooled to 2.8% year over year, while British CPI fell to 3.4%, the Eurozone to 2.6%, and Switzerland to just 1.2%.
Country Indices Flash Report – February 2024
February 29, 2024
Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index finally surpassed its high reached in 1989. Memory of deflation may not be beaten, but January data registered the 22nd consecutive month of +2% year-over-year inflation, the longest such stretch since the early 1990s.
Smart ESG™ ADR
Designed to have a low tracking error to the MSCI EAFE Index, this Smart ESG™ strategy utilizes our proprietary process of scoring ESG attributes and optimization software to provide a dedicated international ESG ADR portfolio.
Bailard’s Smart ESG™ ADR Equity Strategy is a dedicated ESG strategy seeking a low tracking error to a broad market benchmark, the MSCI EAFE Index, through American depository receipts (ADRs). Utilizing Bailard’s proprietary ESG Capture® framework, this portfolio seeks ESG leaders and avoids ESG laggards to help mitigate long-term portfolio risk. Similar to its Smart ESG™ U.S. counterpart, the Strategy avoids investments in fossil fuels, controversial weapons, and a number of products that adversely affect women, girls, and disadvantaged communities. Exclusionary criteria may be customized to align with our clients’ values.
Performance
Total Return, As of 3/31/24 | Quarter | YTD | 1 Year | 3 Year | 5 Year | Since Inception (6/30/2018) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gross of Fees | 5.52% | 5.52% | 18.48% | 7.09% | 9.82% | 7.82% |
Net of Fees | 5.48% | 5.48% | 17.84% | 6.56% | 9.24% | 7.24% |
MSCI EAFE INDEX | 5.78% | 5.78% | 15.32% | 4.78% | 7.33% | 5.51% |
Past performance is no indication of future results. All investments involve a risk of loss. Performance is annualized for periods grater than one year. Net of fee performance is calculated by netting down the gross return by actual management fees as of the date paid from each account. There are risks involved in investing, including the risk of loss and the risk that the market value of your investments will fluctuate as the stock market fluctuates. International and emerging market equities are subject to increased risks due to economic or political instability, differences in accounting principles, and fluctuating exchange rates, with heightened risks for emerging markets. Investments in a particular style may underperform other styles of investing or the overall market. Please see the respective strategy’s fact sheet above for additional important risk and performance disclosures, as well as at the bottom of this page.
Portfolio Managers
Chat with the CIO
March 31, 2022
A Reckoning of Global Priorities: The Changing Calculus of Climate Change and Geopolitics
Redrawing the Emerging Markets Map
March 30, 2022
Anthony R. Craddock, Senior Vice President of International Equity Research, highlights the changing Emerging Markets landscape amid geopolitical and economic volatility related to Russia and China.
When Tech and Environmental, Social,Governance (ESG) Investing Intersect
March 29, 2022
Dave Harrison Smith, CFA explores the subtleties and depth required to uncover technology companies that are both high quality and responsible.
Let's Connect
Learn more or schedule a meeting with one of our equity teams.
Diana L. Dessonville
Executive Vice President | Director, Institutional Client Services
diana.dessonville@bailard.com
(650) 571-5800
CONTACT US
Past performance is no indication of future results. All investments involve a risk of loss. There are risks involved in investing, including the risk of loss and the risk that the market value of your investments will fluctuate as the stock market fluctuates. Investments in a particular style may underperform other styles of investing or the overall market. Exposure to these types of investments can lead to underperformance.
U.S. equity strategies are subject to style, size, and sector risks. International and emerging market equities are subject to increased risks due to economic or political instability, differences in accounting principles, and fluctuating exchange rates, with heightened risks for emerging markets. The application of various environmental, social and governance screens as part of a socially responsible investment strategy may result in the exclusion of securities that might otherwise merit investment, potentially resulting in higher or lower returns than a similar investment strategy without such screens. Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) incur fund management fees and expenses that will be in addition to Bailard’s management fees. The price at which an ETF trades on the exchange may sometimes differ significantly from its net asset value. There is no guarantee Bailard or any of the strategies presented will achieve their investment objectives. Please see each strategy’s fact sheet above on its respective strategy tab for additional important disclosures.