International Leaders Fund

Investment Objective

Capital Appreciation

Morningstar Category
Foreign Large Growth

Fund Characteristics

The International Leaders Fund seeks to invest in foreign companies 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 International Leaders Fund is a focused fund of 40 to 70 stocks with an unconstrained approach, facilitated by broad region and sector parameters that allow for meaningful variation from the benchmark.

The Fund seeks to invest in companies with high quality and sustainable growth characteristics:
  • Organic value creation
  • Peer group leadership
  • Consistent earnings growth
  • High return on capital and assets
  • Positive earnings trends over time
  • Low leverage

Why Consider This Fund?

  • Represents the purest application of William Blair’s high quality discipline
  • Provides broad non-U.S. exposure with focused investment in leading companies in terms of products, services, and execution
  • Applies comprehensive research systematically in an international peer context

The Fund’s returns will vary, and you could lose money by investing in the Fund.  International investing involves special risk considerations, including currency fluctuations, lower liquidity, economic and political risk.  Because the Fund may focus its investments in a limited number of securities, its performance may be more volatile than a fund that invests in a greater number of securities.  International investing involves special risk considerations, including currency fluctuations, lower liquidity, and economic and political risk. Investing in emerging markets can increase these risks, including higher volatility and lower liquidity.  Investing in smaller and medium capitalization companies involves special risks, including higher volatility and lower liquidity. Small and mid-cap stocks are also more sensitive to purchase/sale transactions and changes in the issuer’s financial condition. Convertible securities may be called before intended, which may have an adverse effect on investment objectives.  Diversification does not ensure against loss.