Michael Kass

Kiplinger columnist Andrew Tanzer speaks with our executive team on our long-term, fundamental, active approach to growth investing. Read the full article on Kiplinger.

In a June 17, 2022, article on CNBC, Ron Baron said he thinks the current opportunity in growth stocks is as big as when he started Baron Capital 40 years ago. Read the full article. [subscription required to access].

Baron Emerging Markets Fund, managed by Michael Kass, was named among The Kiplinger 25, a list of Kiplinger’s favorite low-fee mutual funds.

Baron Capital’s “think different” approach can be a big plus in investing, says Michael Brush, a columnist for MarketWatch. Read the November 18, 2021 MarketWatch piece, which draws on examples across a number of our funds.

Michael Kass, portfolio manager of Baron's Emerging Markets, International Growth, and New Asia Funds, makes the case for why he believes emerging market stocks are poised for outperformance. Watch the full October 29, 2021, interview on PBS’s “Consuelo Mack’s WealthTrack”.

We are pleased to announce the launch of Baron New Asia Fund. The Fund, which is managed by Michael Kass and Anuj Aggarwal, is a differentiated strategy emphasizing higher growth, strategic, and forward looking investment opportunities in the Asia Pacific region.

Pine Labs is a dominant merchant commerce platform that is enabling digital payments and “Buy Now Pay Later” options in India and Southeast Asia. We are excited to partner with Amrish Rau and the Pine Labs team as they embark on their next growth phase. Read the full article on TechCrunch.

Baron Opportunity, Baron Partners, Baron Focused Growth, Baron Discovery, Baron WealthBuilder, Baron Global Advantage, and Baron Emerging Markets Funds were listed among Kiplinger’s top funds for 2020. 

After a recent interview with portfolio manager Michael Kass, Litman Gregory reaffirmed its conviction in Baron Emerging Markets Fund (BEXIX) and Baron International Growth Fund (BINIX), highlighting Michael’s disciplined long-term approach to growth investing, superior understanding of secular trends and business models, and macro-risk overlay as reasons for their recommendation. Read the full article on Advisor Intelligence.

In its annual update of its profiles of Baron Growth Fund and Baron Asset Fund, Morningstar upgraded both Funds to its “Silver” Analyst Rating. To view the profiles, visit www.morningstar.com. (Subscription required to access).

Morningstar Analyst Rating is not a credit or risk rating, but a subjective evaluation performed by the analysts of Morningstar, Inc. Morningstar evaluates funds based on five key pillars (process, performance, people, parent and price). Morningstar’s analysts use this valuation to identify funds they believe are more likely to outperform over the long term on a risk-adjusted basis. Analysts consider quantitative and qualitative factors and the weightings of each pillar may vary. The Analyst Rating reflects overall assessment and is overseen by Morningstar’s Analyst Rating Committee. The analyst rating scale is five-tiered, with three positive ratings (Gold, Silver, Bronze), a Neutral rating and a Negative rating, with Gold being the highest rating and Negative being the lowest rating. The Morningstar Analyst Ratings should not be used as the sole basis in evaluating a mutual fund and are based on Morningstar’s current expectations about future events. Morningstar does not represent ratings as a guarantee. Analyst Ratings involve unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause Morningstar’s expectations not to occur or to differ significantly. The Analyst Rating scale ranges from Gold to Negative, with Gold being the highest rating and Negative being the lowest rating. A fund with a “Gold” rating distinguishes itself across the five pillars and has garnered the analysts’ highest level of conviction. A fund with a ‘Silver’ rating has notable advantages across several, but perhaps not all, of the five pillars that give the analysts a high level of conviction. A “Bronze”-rated fund has advantages that outweigh the disadvantages across the five pillars, with sufficient level of analyst conviction to warrant a positive rating. A fund with a ‘Neutral’ rating isn’t seriously flawed across the five pillars, nor does it distinguish itself very positively. A “Negative” rated fund is flawed in at least one if not more pillars and is considered an inferior offering to its peers. Analyst Ratings are reevaluated at least every 14 months. © 2020 Morningstar. All Rights Reserved. The information contained herein: (1) is proprietary to Morningstar and/or its content providers; (2) may not be copied or distributed; and (3) is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. Neither Morningstar nor its content providers are responsible for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

We are pleased to announce that Anuj Aggarwal has been appointed to the position of Assistant Portfolio Manager of Baron Emerging Markets Fund, working with Portfolio Manager Michael Kass. Anuj joined Baron in 2012 to support our emerging markets and international research efforts, and has a total of 12 years of research experience. He will continue to conduct equity research in his expanded role.

For more information, please contact us.

Learn more about Baron's response. 

Barron’s sat down with Ron Baron to get his thoughts on investing in growth companies. Ron, who is founder and CEO of Baron Capital, manages Baron Growth Fund, Baron Partners Fund, Baron Focused Growth Fund, and Baron WealthBuilder Fund. Read the full article.

Baron Capital CEO and Chief Investment Officer Ron Baron appeared on CNBC's "Squawk Box" on August 20, 2019 to discuss the economy, Baron's long-term investment philosophy, and market volatility. Watch the full interview at www.cnbc.com.

Baron is pleased to announce that Morningstar has added Baron Discovery Fund and Baron Global Advantage Fund to its “Prospects” list of up-and-coming or under-the-radar strategies that Morningstar Manager Research thinks might be worthy of full coverage someday. Currently, Baron Growth Fund, Baron Asset Fund, Baron Small Cap Fund, Baron Partners Fund, and Baron Emerging Markets Fund all have full coverage by Morningstar.

Michael Kass, portfolio manager of Baron Emerging Markets Fund and Baron International Growth Fund, sat down with Litman Gregory to discuss his perspective on foreign equity markets.

At the 2018 Baron Investment Conference, Ron Baron joined Ken Moelis, chairman and CEO of Moelis & Company, on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” to discuss Moelis’ investment strategy and the outlook for M&A activity. Watch the full interview on www.cnbc.com.

Portfolio holdings as a percentage of net assets as of September 30, 2018 for Moelis & Company are as follows: Baron Growth Fund (0.6%), Baron Small Cap Fund (0.9%).

Litman Gregory's AdvisorIntelligence published a fund update on Baron Emerging Markets Fund and Baron International Growth Fund discussing Portfolio Manager Michael Kass' investment themes and long-term outlook.

In the May issue of Kiplinger's Personal Finance, Baron Emerging Markets Fund was included in the 'Kiplinger 25,' an annual selection of the magazine's "favorite actively-managed no-load funds." The Fund was added with a 10% allocation to the magazine's recommended model portfolio for retirement investors. You can view the model portfolio at www.kiplinger.com.

The information contained in this document is distributed for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice or recommendations of any security or Fund. Baron Capital does not guarantee its accuracy, completeness or fairness.

The January 2018 cover story of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine recommended Baron Emerging Markets Fund, managed by portfolio manager Michael Kass. Read the sidebar (“Investors, Find Bargains Overseas in 2018”) at www.kiplinger.com. (Subscription required to access).

The cover story of the December issue of Kiplinger's Personal Finance ("3 Best International Mutual Funds to Play the Global Economic Recovery") recommended Baron Emerging Markets Fund for investors looking for exposure to international and/or emerging markets. Read the article at www.kiplinger.com. (Subcription required to access).

In its Quarterly Review & Outlook published on October 2, 2017, InvestorPlace named Baron Emerging Markets Fund one of the five best funds to consider right now. The article highlights portfolio manager Michael Kass’ focus on “top-quality companies in China, such as BABA and Tencent Holdings Ltd.” Read it (“5 Best Actively Managed Mutual Funds for Q4: As markets become more volatile, there are advantages to having funds with top-notch money managers”) at www.investorplace.com.

Morningstar’s Fund Spy awarded Baron Emerging Markets Fund a bronze medal in its June fund ratings. It highlighted the strong results, below-average expenses, and conservative investing approach of the Fund, which is managed by portfolio manager Michael Kass. Read the full report on www.morningstar.com.

"We're in the middle innings of a notable earnings recovery across virtually all emerging markets," says Michael Kass, manager of the $3.3 billion Baron Emerging Markets Fund. Kass favors high-quality, fast-growing companies and finds India "an especially promising hunting ground.” Read the full story at www.kiplinger.com. (Subscription required to access).

Argentina's state-owned energy producer, YPF, whose stock is also listed in the U.S., is finally offering foreign companies and investors more inviting terms to help it develop its shale reserves. "Until six months ago, nobody...could look at YPF and ascribe any real value to those reserves because the country was a pariah," says Michael Kass, manager of the $3.3 billion Baron Emerging Markets Fund. The recent moves, he says, could start a "virtuous cycle" of other reforms in Argentina. Read the full story at www.fortune.com.

Michael Kass, portfolio manager of Baron Emerging Markets Fund and Baron International Growth Fund, featured in the February/March 2017 issue of Morningstar magazine (PDF) discussing the Baron approach to growth investing farther afield.

In Kiplinger's recent StockWatch update, "How Nervous Investors Should Play the Trump Rally," senior editor Anne Kates Smith mentions Baron Emerging Markets Fund as one of two "foreign funds worth exploring." Read the article at www.kiplinger.com (Subscription required to access).

In his "Opening Shot" commentary in the February 2017 issue of Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine, James Glassman recommends Baron Emerging Markets Fund. ("A Surprise Boost for Emerging Markets: Trump's election has provided emerging markets with an unexpected benefit: a stronger dollar, which makes foreign goods even cheaper here.") Read the article at www.kiplinger.com. (Subscription required to access).

"The long-term growth opportunity is intact, but the new administration will have an impact on emerging-markets stocks and currencies in what could be a more contentious environment for trade policy." Patient investors can invest through Kip 25 member Baron Emerging Markets Fund. Read the article at www.kiplinger.com. (Subscription required to access).

Barron’s recently convened four veteran emerging market managers – including Michael Kass, Portfolio Manager of Baron Emerging Markets Fund and Baron International Growth Fund – to solicit their views on whether this year’s rally is the start of a new bull market or a prelude to a correction

Ron Baron discusses the market environment and why he’s optimistic about Tesla. Watch the clip on www.CNBC.com