Real Estate Investing: Much More than Just REITs
CBS MoneyWatch.com, June 8, 2011
Jeff Kolitch, portfolio manager of Baron Real Estate Fund, was featured in this online interview with Dan Burrows of CBS MoneyWatch.com. The article suggests that despite the relative strength of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) since the market bottom of 2009, recent volatility in real estate might make a more comprehensive approach to investing in real estate prudent.
"Most real estate mutual funds are REIT funds,” says Jeff Kolitch, portfolio manager of the Baron Real Estate Fund (BREFX). “The Baron Real Estate Fund takes a much broader and more balanced approach to investing in real estate.”
The article describes some of the Fund’s real-estate-related investments in companies that manufacture tools, insulation, and building materials; a cell-tower provider; senior-living facilities and home builders.
Taking a Shine to Apple, Tech
Barron’s Online Exclusives: Q&A, May 31, 2011
Michael Lippert, portfolio manager of Baron Opportunity Fund, was featured in this interview with Barron’s Teresa Rivas. Classified by Morningstar as a Mid-Cap Growth Fund, Baron Opportunity Fund invests in innovative high-growth companies.
Although the Fund has investments in technology companies, Michael makes the point that the Fund invests in other industries, too. “When investors think about technology, they are thinking about IT. They are not thinking about energy technology, health care. We have many names in the portfolio [that] are not what people think of as classic tech companies at all.”
Throughout the interview, Michael discusses several of his current investments.
USA Today’s 2011 All-Star Mutual Funds Picks Baron Opportunity
USA Today, May 13, 2011
Baron Opportunity Fund, managed by Michael Lippert, was named to USA Today’s 2011 All-Star Mutual Funds. The Fund, which invests in innovative high-growth companies, was one of 20 stock funds selected on the basis of performance, risk, manager tenure and fees.
USA Today screened funds, looking for those that had beaten funds in the same category for the past one, three and five years. From those, it selected those Funds that had a positive alpha, a measure of a fund’s performance vs. the risk taken.
Of those funds, only those with a manager that’s been in place for at least five years were considered. And last, the funds had to have an expense ratio below a certain threshold, depending on the fund’s investment category. USA Today chose two funds from each of the nine major Morningstar categories and two wild card choices.
Baron Opportunity Fund was one of two chosen from the Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth Category.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Kiplinger 25: Our 25 Favorite Mutual Funds
Kiplinger's Personal Finance, May 2011
Baron Small Cap Fund, managed by Cliff Greenberg, was included in the Kiplinger 25 annual editors’ selection of “our favorite no-load funds.” Baron Small Cap Fund was included in the table accompanying the article.
Kiplinger’s selection process is largely subjective: “Our criteria for selecting funds have not changed. We prefer funds that charge low fees, boast solid records and are run by managers in whom we have confidence. Extra points are given to funds with low turnover and a record of preserving as well as growing capital.”
Real Estate is Amid 'Multi-Year Recovery'
Baron's Jeff Kolitch says the commercial and residential property markets are signaling strength.
Mutual Fund Center: Fund Manager Five Spot, TheStreet.com, April 27, 2011
Jeff Kolitch, portfolio manager of Baron Real Estate Fund, was featured in this interview appearing on TheStreet.com. Jeff said he believes “Real estate stocks, excluding real estate investment trust, are at the beginning of a powerful rebound.” Jeff added that he thinks “We are in the early stages of a multi-year recovery for both commercial and residential real estate.”
