Global Leaders Fund

Investment Objective

Capital Appreciation

Morningstar Category
World Large-Stock Growth

Fund Characteristics

The Global Leaders Fund seeks to invest in companies around the world with above-average returns on equity, strong balance sheets and consistent, above-average earnings growth, resulting in a focused portfolio of leading companies.

Investment Approach

  • The Fund will seek securities of companies that historically have had and are expected to maintain superior growth, profitability and quality relative to local markets and relative to companies within the same industry worldwide
  • The Fund will seek investment opportunities in companies at different stages of development ranging from large, well-established companies to smaller companies at an earlier stage of development. The Fund may also invest in initial public offerings (“IPOs”) and private placements
  • The Fund’s sector and geographic diversification will vary, based upon fundamental research, coupled with the ongoing evaluation of economic, market and political trends throughout the world

Why Consider This Fund?

  • Seeks alpha by investing without constraints in William Blair’s highest conviction ideas
  • Focuses on high quality companies, emphasizing those with the strongest corporate performance that the team believes will be the long-term category winners
  • Applies comprehensive research systematically in a global peer context

The Fund involves a high level of risk and may not be appropriate for everyone. You should only consider it for the aggressive portion of your portfolio.  The Fund’s returns will vary, and you could lose money by investing in the Fund.  The Fund holds equities which may decline in value due to both real and perceived general market, economic, and industry conditions.  International investing involves special risk considerations, including currency fluctuations, higher volatility, lower liquidity, economic and political risk. Investing in emerging markets can increase these risks. The securities of emerging market companies may be subject to greater volatility and less liquidity than companies in more developed markets.  Investing in securities of smaller companies tends to be more volatile and less liquid than securities of larger companies. Individual securities may not perform as expected or a strategy used by the Adviser may fail to produce its intended result. Convertible securities may be called before intended, which may have an adverse effect on investment objectives.  Investing in smaller companies involves special risks, including higher volatility and lower liquidity. Diversification does not ensure against loss.