| | |
OMB APPROVAL |
OMB Number: | | 3235 - 0570 |
Expires: | | January 31, 2014 |
Estimated average burden |
hours per response . . . | | 20.6 |
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-CSR
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
| | |
Investment Company Act file number: 811-5032 | | |
BARON INVESTMENT FUNDS TRUST f/k/a
BARON ASSET FUND
|
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter) |
| | |
767 Fifth Avenue, 49th Floor | | New York, NY 10153 |
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) | | (Zip Code) |
Patrick M. Patalino, Esq.
c/o Baron Investment Funds Trust
767 Fifth Avenue, 49th Floor
New York, NY 10153
|
(Name and Address of Agent for Service) |
Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: 212-583-2000
Date of fiscal year end: September 30
Date of reporting period: March 31, 2011
Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders under Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17CRF 270.30e-1). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.
A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and suggestions for reducing the burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 5th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20549-0609. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. Section 3507.
Persons who are to respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB control number.
SEC 2569 (5-07)
Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.
Baron Investment Funds Trust Semi-Annual Report for the period ended March 31, 2011.
Baron Asset Fund
Baron Growth Fund
Baron Small Cap Fund
Baron Opportunity Fund
Baron Fifth Avenue Growth Fund
March 31, 2011
Baron Funds®
Semi-Annual Financial Report
DEAR BARON FUNDS SHAREHOLDER:
In this report you will find unaudited financial statements for Baron Asset Fund, Baron Growth Fund, Baron Small Cap Fund, Baron Opportunity Fund and Baron Fifth Avenue Growth Fund (the “Funds”) for the six months ended March 31, 2011. The Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) requires mutual funds to furnish these statements semi-annually to their shareholders. We hope you find these statements informative and useful.
We thank you for choosing to join us as fellow shareholders in Baron Funds. We will continue to work hard to justify your confidence.
Sincerely,
| | | | |
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0001193125-11-147430/g180721g89n36.jpg) | | ![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0001193125-11-147430/g180721g50b48.jpg) | | ![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0001193125-11-147430/g180721g83y47.jpg) |
Ronald Baron Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer May 20, 2011 | | Linda S. Martinson Chairman, President and Chief Operating Officer May 20, 2011 | | Peggy Wong Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer May 20, 2011 |
This Semi-Annual Financial Report is for the Baron Investment Funds Trust, which currently has five series: Baron Asset Fund, Baron Growth Fund, Baron Small Cap Fund, Baron Opportunity Fund and Baron Fifth Avenue Growth Fund. If you are interested in the Baron Select Funds, which contains the Baron Partners Fund, Baron Focused Growth Fund, Baron International Growth Fund, Baron Real Estate Fund and Baron Emerging Markets Fund series, please visit the Funds’ website at www.BaronFunds.com or contact us at 1-800-99BARON.
A description of the Funds’ proxy voting policies and procedures is available without charge on the Funds’ website, www.BaronFunds.com, or by calling 1-800-99BARON and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Funds’ most current proxy voting record, Form N-PX, is also available on the Funds’ website and on the SEC’s website.
The Funds file their complete schedules of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Funds’ Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Funds’ Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-202-551-8090. A copy of the Funds’ Forms N-Q may also be obtained upon request by calling 1-800-99BARON. Schedules of portfolio holdings current to the most recent quarter are also available on the Funds’ website.
Some of the comments are based on current management expectations and are considered “forward-looking statements.” Actual future results, however, may prove to be different from our expectations. You can identify forward-looking statements by words such as “estimate,” “may,” “expect,” “should,” “could,” “believe,” “plan” and other similar terms. We cannot promise future returns and our opinions are a reflection of our best judgment at the time this report is compiled.
The views expressed in this report reflect those of the BAMCO, Inc. (“BAMCO” or the “Adviser”) only through the end of the period stated in this report. The views are not intended as recommendations or investment advice to any person reading this report and are subject to change at any time without notice based on market and other conditions.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate; an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. For more complete information about Baron Funds, including charges and expenses, call or write for a prospectus. Read it carefully before you invest or send money. This report is not authorized for use as an offer of sale or a solicitation of an offer to buy shares of Baron Funds, unless accompanied or preceded by the Funds’ current prospectus.
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0001193125-11-147430/g180721g66o29.jpg)
767 Fifth Avenue
NY, NY 10153
212-583-2100
| | |
Baron Asset Fund | | March 31, 2011 |
| | | | | | | | |
Baron Asset Fund | | | | | | | | |
| | |
Ticker Symbols: | | | | | | | | |
Retail Shares: BARAX | | | | | | | | |
Institutional Shares: BARIX | | | | | | | | |
Performance | | | 2 | | | | | |
Top Ten Holdings | | | 3 | | | | | |
Sector Breakdown | | | 3 | | | | | |
Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance | | | 3 | | | | | |
COMPARISONOFTHECHANGEIN VALUEOF $10,000INVESTMENTIN BARON ASSET FUND†INRELATIONTOTHE RUSSELL MIDCAP GROWTH INDEXANDTHE S&P 500 INDEX
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0001193125-11-147430/g180721g26m44.jpg)
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNSFORTHEPERIODSENDED MARCH 31, 2011
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months* | | | One Year | | | Three Years | | | Five Years | | | Ten Years | | | Since Inception (June 12, 1987) | |
Baron Asset Fund — Retail Shares1,2 | | | 21.64% | | | | 22.09% | | | | 4.68% | | | | 3.17% | | | | 7.20% | | | | 11.32% | |
Baron Asset Fund — Institutional Shares1,2,4 | | | 21.81% | | | | 22.43% | | | | 4.84% | | | | 3.26% | | | | 7.25% | | | | 11.34% | |
Russell Midcap Growth Index1 | | | 22.96% | | | | 26.60% | | | | 7.63% | | | | 4.93% | | | | 6.94% | | | | 9.61% | 3 |
S&P 500 Index1 | | | 17.31% | | | | 15.65% | | | | 2.35% | | | | 2.62% | | | | 3.29% | | | | 8.87% | |
1 | The Russell Midcap Growth Index and the S&P 500 Index are unmanaged indexes. The Russell Midcap Growth Index measures the performance of mid-sized companies that are classified as growth. The S&P 500 Index measures the performance of larger cap equities in the stock market in general. The indexes and the Baron Asset Fund are with dividends, which positively impact the performance results. |
2 | Past performance is not predictive of future performance. The performance data in the table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on dividends, capital gain distributions, or redemption of Fund shares. |
3 | For the period June 30, 1987 to March 31, 2011. |
4 | Performance for the Institutional Shares prior to May 29, 2009 is based on the performance of the Retail Shares, which have a distribution fee. The Institutional Shares do not have a distribution fee. If the annual returns prior to May 29, 2009 did not reflect this fee, the returns would be higher. |
† | Performance information reflects results of the Retail Shares. |
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0001193125-11-147430/g180721g66o29.jpg)
1.800.99.BARON
www.BaronFunds.com
©2011 All Rights Reserved
2
| | |
March 31, 2011 | | Baron Asset Fund |
TOP TEN HOLDINGSASOF MARCH 31, 2011
| | | | |
Baron Asset Fund | | % of Net Assets | |
Gartner, Inc. | | | 4.0% | |
Charles Schwab Corp. | | | 3.6% | |
IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. | | | 3.4% | |
Polo Ralph Lauren Corp. | | | 3.2% | |
FactSet Research Systems, Inc. | | | 3.2% | |
Vail Resorts, Inc. | | | 3.0% | |
Fastenal Co. | | | 3.0% | |
C. H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. | | | 2.7% | |
DeVry, Inc. | | | 2.5% | |
Mettler-Toledo International, Inc. | | | 2.3% | |
| | | 30.9% | |
SECTOR BREAKDOWNASOF MARCH 31, 20112
(as a percentage of net assets)
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0001193125-11-147430/g180721g42f13.jpg)
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSIONOF FUND PERFORMANCE
For the six-month period ended March 31, 2011, Baron Asset Fund (Retail Shares) gained 21.64%, the Russell Midcap Growth Index gained 22.96% and the S&P 500 Index was up 17.31%.
Baron Asset Fund invests primarily in medium-sized growth companies for the long term while using value-oriented purchase and sell disciplines.1 The Fund purchases companies that the Adviser believes have sustainable competitive advantages and strong financial characteristics, operating in industries with favorable macroeconomic trends led by strong management.
The economy has demonstrated steady improvement over the past six months as evidenced by growing corporate profits. Certain risks remain, including continuing high unemployment, depressed home prices, budget deficits and the threat of inflation. New risks have surfaced as well, stemming from the disaster in Japan and civil unrest that has engulfed the Middle East and North Africa. Nonetheless, investors showed increasing confidence throughout the period as they continued to focus on corporate profits, increased market stability, improved credit quality and the Federal Reserve’s attention to providing increased liquidity.
One area the Fund continues to favor is the information services businesses, a term we use to describe companies spanning several industry sectors. These include companies that possess proprietary information-related assets, which are generally sold through annual subscriptions to customers in areas including investment management, insurance, and information technology.
Gartner, Inc., the leading independent provider of research and analysis on the information technology industry, was the single largest contributor to Fund performance in the period. The company has continued to generate record bookings in its research business. We expect the company to show continued sales momentum throughout 2011 and beyond as it adds to its sales force, raises prices, and leverages its global sales network to distribute research from recent acquisitions of AMR and Burton.
Equinix, Inc., a network neutral operator of state-of-the-art data centers across North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, was the leading detractor from Fund performance in the period. The company’s shares experienced a sharp sell-off last Fall following disclosure that it would miss revenue expectations while making pricing concessions to certain large customers. We continue to believe Equinix represents significant growth potential over the long term.
The Adviser expects to continue to invest in companies that, in our opinion, are undervalued relative to their long-term growth prospects and have the ability to sustain superior levels of profitability. We intend to continue to identify superior quality companies through independent research efforts. We expect the Fund will remain diversified not only by industry and investment theme, but also by external factors we believe could affect company performance.
1 | Prior to February 15, 2007, the Fund’s strategy was also to invest primarily in small- and mid-sized growth companies. |
2 | Industry sector levels are derived from the Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”), developed and exclusively owned by MSCI, Inc. and Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, unless otherwise stated that they have been reclassified or classified by the Adviser. All GICS data is provided “as is” with no warranties. |
3
| | |
Baron Growth Fund | | March 31, 2011 |
| | | | | | | | |
Baron Growth Fund | | | | | | | | |
| | |
Ticker Symbols: | | | | | | | | |
Retail Shares: BGRFX | | | | | | | | |
Institutional Shares: BGRIX | | | | | | | | |
Performance | | | 4 | | | | | |
Top Ten Holdings | | | 5 | | | | | |
Sector Breakdown | | | 5 | | | | | |
Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance | | | 5 | | | | | |
COMPARISONOFTHECHANGEIN VALUEOF $10,000INVESTMENTIN BARON GROWTH FUND†INRELATIONTOTHE RUSSELL 2000 GROWTH INDEXANDTHE S&P 500 INDEX
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0001193125-11-147430/g180721g96h14.jpg)
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNSFORTHEPERIODSENDED MARCH 31, 2011
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months* | | | One Year | | | Three Years | | | Five Years | | | Ten Years | | | Since Inception (December 31, 1994) | |
Baron Growth Fund — Retail Shares1,2 | | | 26.28% | | | | 27.23% | | | | 7.29% | | | | 4.15% | | | | 9.92% | | | | 13.98% | |
Baron Growth Fund — Institutional Shares1,2,3 | | | 26.44% | | | | 27.55% | | | | 7.46% | | | | 4.25% | | | | 9.97% | | | | 14.01% | |
Russell 2000 Growth Index1 | | | 27.93% | | | | 31.04% | | | | 10.16% | | | | 4.34% | | | | 6.44% | | | | 6.84% | |
S&P 500 Index1 | | | 17.31% | | | | 15.65% | | | | 2.35% | | | | 2.62% | | | | 3.29% | | | | 8.72% | |
1 | The Russell 2000 Growth Index and S&P 500 Index are unmanaged indexes. The Russell 2000 Growth Index measures the performance of 2,000 small U.S. companies classified as growth. The S&P 500 Index measures the performance of larger cap equities in the stock market in general. These indexes and the Baron Growth Fund are with dividends, which positively impact the performance results. |
2 | Past performance is not predictive of future performance. The performance data in the table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on dividends, capital gain distributions, or redemption of Fund shares. |
3 | Performance for the Institutional Shares prior to May 29, 2009 is based on the performance of the Retail Shares, which have a distribution fee. The Institutional Shares do not have a distribution fee. If the annual returns prior to May 29, 2009 did not reflect this fee, the returns would be higher. |
† | Performance information reflects results of the Retail Shares. |
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0001193125-11-147430/g180721g66o29.jpg)
1.800.99 BARON
www.BaronFunds.com
©2011 All Rights Reserved
4
| | |
March 31, 2011 | | Baron Growth Fund |
TOP TEN HOLDINGSASOF MARCH 31, 2011
| | | | |
Baron Growth Fund | | % of Net Assets | |
Edwards Lifesciences Corp. | | | 3.3% | |
Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc. | | | 2.9% | |
DeVry, Inc. | | | 2.9% | |
Molycorp, Inc. | | | 2.5% | |
Mettler-Toledo International, Inc. | | | 2.5% | |
FactSet Research Systems, Inc. | | | 2.5% | |
AMERIGROUP Corp. | | | 2.3% | |
ITC Holdings Corp. | | | 2.3% | |
MSCI, Inc., Cl A | | | 2.3% | |
Community Health Systems, Inc. | | | 2.1% | |
| | | 25.6% | |
SECTOR BREAKDOWNASOF MARCH 31, 20111
(as a percentage of net assets)
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0001193125-11-147430/g180721g47j10.jpg)
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSIONOF FUND PERFORMANCE
Baron Growth Fund (Retail Shares) gained 26.28% for the six months ended March 31, 2011, while the Russell 2000 Growth Index gained 27.93% and the S&P 500 Index gained 17.31%.
Baron Growth Fund is a long-term investor primarily in small-sized growth companies. The Adviser, through its independent research of companies, utilizes an investment approach that it believes allows it to look beyond the current market environment and invest based upon the potential profitability of a business, and therefore its value in the future.
The economy has demonstrated steady improvement over the past six months as evidenced by growing corporate profits. Certain risks remain, including continuing high unemployment, depressed home prices, budget deficits and the threat of inflation. New risks have surfaced as well, stemming from the disaster in Japan and civil unrest that has engulfed the Middle East and North Africa. Nonetheless, investors showed increasing confidence throughout the period as they continued to focus on corporate profits, increased market stability, improved credit quality and the Federal Reserve’s attention to providing increased liquidity.
Molycorp, Inc., the leading producer of rare earths outside of China, was the largest contributor to Fund performance during the period. Stricter environmental standards, higher taxes, and increased vigilance on illegal mining could increase the supply/demand gap in the near term. Molycorp says it has already “sold-out” of its 2011 production. To supply growing demand, Molycorp plans to double its potential capacity from 20,000 tons to 40,000 tons by 2014.
Strayer Education, Inc., an education services holding company, was the Fund’s leading detractor from performance in the period. Strayer’s shares declined principally on regulatory uncertainty, possible Pell-grant cuts and heightened competition for quality students. We are confident that management will adapt its model as necessary and thrive again. In our view, Strayer retains its long-term growth potential.
We believe that our investment process, with its focus on research and long-term investing, will enable the Fund to take advantage of opportunities as they arise throughout the economic recovery. We intend to continue to invest in small businesses that we believe have the potential to grow substantially in the years ahead. We expect the Fund will remain diversified not only by industry and investment theme, but also by external factors we believe could affect company performance.
1 | Industry sector levels are derived from the Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”), developed and exclusively owned by MSCI, Inc. and Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, unless otherwise stated that they have been reclassified or classified by the Adviser. All GICS data is provided “as is” with no warranties. |
5
| | |
Baron Small Cap Fund | | March 31, 2011 |
| | | | | | | | |
Baron Small Cap Fund | | | | | | | | |
| | |
Ticker Symbols: | | | | | | | | |
Retail Shares: BSCFX | | | | | | | | |
Institutional Shares: BSFIX | | | | | | | | |
Performance | | | 6 | | | | | |
Top Ten Holdings | | | 7 | | | | | |
Sector Breakdown | | | 7 | | | | | |
Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance | | | 7 | | | | | |
COMPARISONOFTHECHANGEIN VALUEOF $10,000INVESTMENTIN BARON SMALL CAP FUND†INRELATIONTOTHE RUSSELL 2000 GROWTH INDEXANDTHE S&P 500 INDEX
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0001193125-11-147430/g180721g60t13.jpg)
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNSFORTHEPERIODSENDED MARCH 31, 2011
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months* | | | One Year | | | Three Years | | | Five Years | | | Ten Years | | | Since Inception (September 30, 1997) | |
Baron Small Cap Fund — Retail Shares1,2 | | | 25.22% | | | | 28.92% | | | | 8.34% | | | | 4.27% | | | | 10.13% | | | | 9.85% | |
Baron Small Cap Fund — Institutional Shares1,2,3 | | | 25.37% | | | | 29.25% | | | | 8.51% | | | | 4.36% | | | | 10.18% | | | | 9.89% | |
Russell 2000 Growth Index1 | | | 27.93% | | | | 31.04% | | | | 10.16% | | | | 4.34% | | | | 6.44% | | | | 3.70% | |
S&P 500 Index1 | | | 17.31% | | | | 15.65% | | | | 2.35% | | | | 2.62% | | | | 3.29% | | | | 4.34% | |
1 | The Russell 2000 Growth Index and S&P 500 Index are unmanaged indexes. The Russell 2000 Growth Index measures the performance of 2,000 small U.S. companies classified as growth. The S&P 500 Index measures the performance of larger cap equities in the stock market in general. These indexes and the Baron Small Cap Fund are with dividends, which positively impact the performance results. |
2 | Past performance is not predictive of future performance. The performance data in the table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on dividends, capital gain distributions, or redemption of Fund shares. |
3 | Performance for the Institutional Shares prior to May 29, 2009 is based on the performance of the Retail Shares, which have a distribution fee. The Institutional Shares do not have a distribution fee. If the annual returns prior to May 29, 2009 did not reflect this fee, the returns would be higher. |
† | Performance information reflects results of the Retail Shares. |
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0001193125-11-147430/g180721g66o29.jpg)
1.800.99 BARON
www.BaronFunds.com
©2011 All Rights Reserved
6
| | |
March 31, 2011 | | Baron Small Cap Fund |
TOP TEN HOLDINGSASOF MARCH 31, 2011
| | | | |
Baron Small Cap Fund | | % of Net Assets | |
Penn National Gaming, Inc. | | | 2.7% | |
TransDigm Group, Inc. | | | 2.7% | |
Liberty Media Corp. | | | 2.6% | |
SBA Communications Corp., Cl. A | | | 2.6% | |
Brookdale Senior Living, Inc. | | | 2.4% | |
Gartner, Inc. | | | 2.2% | |
Waste Connections, Inc. | | | 2.0% | |
Mettler-Toledo International, Inc. | | | 2.0% | |
Fossil, Inc. | | | 2.0% | |
Clean Harbors, Inc. | | | 2.0% | |
| | | 23.2% | |
SECTOR BREAKDOWNASOF MARCH 31, 20111
(as a percentage of net assets)
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0001193125-11-147430/g180721g78b63.jpg)
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSIONOF FUND PERFORMANCE
Baron Small Cap Fund (Retail Shares) performed well for the six months ended March 31, 2011. The Fund gained 25.22%, compared to 27.93% for the Russell 2000 Growth Index and 17.31% for the S&P 500 Index.
Baron Small Cap Fund invests primarily in small-cap growth companies. The Fund is a long-term investor in what we believe are well-run small-cap growth businesses that can be purchased
at prices that represent a significant discount to our assessment of true value.
The equity markets have now retraced much of the ground they lost since the end of 2008. We believe that the first stage of the market recovery was led by outsized performance in more speculative, leveraged companies. We believe that the market is now beginning to reward higher-quality companies that have the ability to generate sustainable earnings growth over an extended economic cycle.
When the market has increased as it has over the past six months, we look for fallen angels and special situations. This past quarter we found two unique businesses — one is a turnaround of a shoe retailer, and the other is a diversified manufacturer and supplier of commercial vehicle components that came out of bankruptcy late last year.
Energy-related stock prices rose during the period along with commodity prices, outperforming the broader market. As a consequence of the recent events in North Africa, the Middle East, and Japan, more attention is being put on U.S. domestic energy policy, exploration, and development. We believe these recent developments will benefit our energy-related investments over the long term.
We expect multiples to expand as investors move back into equities and M&A activity returns to more normal levels. 2011 is off to a positive start and we are committed to keeping the Fund well positioned by investing in special small-cap companies that can thrive in this environment.
Brookdale Senior Living, Inc., the owner and operator of 550 senior living communities throughout the U.S., was the leading contributor to Fund performance during the period. Pent-up demand, a stabilizing economy and little new supply supported improving fundamentals. Through the remainder of the year, we see continued slow and steady improvements in rate, occupancy and margins. We expect Brookdale to become an increasingly active acquirer.
Strayer Education, Inc., an education services holding company, was the Fund’s leading detractor from performance in the period. Strayer’s shares declined principally on regulatory uncertainty, possible Pell-grant cuts and heightened competition for quality students. We are confident that management will adapt its model as necessary and thrive again. In our view, Strayer retains its long-term growth potential.
Baron Small Cap’s investments fall into three categories: Growth Stocks, Fallen Angels and Special Situations. The Fund intends to continue to invest in “Growth Stocks” that we believe have significant long-term growth prospects and can be purchased at what we believe are attractive prices because their prospects have not yet been appreciated by investors. “Fallen Angels” are companies that we believe have strong long-term franchises but have disappointed investors with short-term results, creating what we believe is a buying opportunity. “Special Situations” include spin-offs and recapitalizations, where lack of investor awareness creates opportunities to purchase what we believe are strong businesses at attractive prices.
1 | Industry sector levels are derived from the Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”), developed and exclusively owned by MSCI, Inc. and Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, unless otherwise stated that they have been reclassified or classified by the Adviser. All GICS data is provided “as is” with no warranties. |
7
| | |
Baron Opportunity Fund | | March 31, 2011 |
| | | | | | | | |
Baron Opportunity Fund | | | | | | | | |
| | |
Ticker Symbols: | | | | | | | | |
Retail Shares: BIOPX | | | | | | | | |
Institutional Shares: BIOIX | | | | | | | | |
Performance | | | 8 | | | | | |
Top Ten Holdings | | | 9 | | | | | |
Sector Breakdown | | | 9 | | | | | |
Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance | | | 9 | | | | | |
COMPARISONOFTHECHANGEIN VALUEOF $10,000INVESTMENTIN BARON OPPORTUNITY FUND†INRELATIONTOTHE RUSSELL MIDCAP GROWTH INDEX,THE NASDAQ COMPOSITE INDEX,ANDTHE S&P 500 INDEX
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0001193125-11-147430/g180721g01e16.jpg)
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS FOR THE PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2011
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months* | | | One Year | | | Three Years | | | Five Years | | | Ten Years | | | Since Inception (February 29, 2000) | |
Baron Opportunity Fund — Retail Shares1,2 | | | 21.24% | | | | 28.28% | | | | 11.63% | | | | 8.18% | | | | 12.46% | | | | 4.05% | |
Baron Opportunity Fund — Institutional Shares1,2,3 | | | 21.48% | | | | 28.62% | | | | 11.83% | | | | 8.29% | | | | 12.52% | | | | 4.10% | |
Russell Midcap Growth Index1 | | | 22.96% | | | | 26.60% | | | | 7.63% | | | | 4.93% | | | | 6.94% | | | | 0.61% | |
NASDAQ Composite Index1 | | | 17.41% | | | | 15.98% | | | | 6.86% | | | | 3.52% | | | | 4.22% | | | | –4.62% | |
S&P 500 Index1 | | | 17.31% | | | | 15.65% | | | | 2.35% | | | | 2.62% | | | | 3.29% | | | | 1.57% | |
1 | The Russell Midcap Growth Index has replaced the NASDAQ Composite Index as the primary broad-based index for the Fund because the Adviser believes that the Russell Midcap Growth Index is more representative of the Fund’s investment strategy. The NASDAQ Composite Index remains in the table above for comparison purposes. The Russell Midcap Growth Index, the NASDAQ Composite Index and the S&P 500 Index are unmanaged indexes. The Russell Midcap Growth Index measures the performance of mid-sized companies that are classified as growth. The NASDAQ Composite Index tracks the performance of market-value weighted common stocks listed on NASDAQ. The S&P 500 Index measures the performance of larger cap equities in the stock market in general. The NASDAQ Composite Index is without dividends. The S&P 500 Index, the Russell Midcap Growth Index and the Baron Opportunity Fund are with dividends, which positively impact the performance results. |
2 | Past performance is not predictive of future performance. The performance data in the table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on dividends, capital gain distributions, or redemption of Fund shares. |
3 | Performance for the Institutional Shares prior to May 29, 2009 is based on the performance of the Retail Shares, which have a distribution fee. The Institutional Shares do not have a distribution fee. If the annual returns prior to May 29, 2009 did not reflect this fee, the returns would be higher. |
† | Performance information reflects results of the Retail Shares. |
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0001193125-11-147430/g180721g66o29.jpg)
1.800.99.BARON
www.BaronFunds.com
©2011 All Rights Reserved
8
| | |
March 31, 2011 | | Baron Opportunity Fund |
TOP TEN HOLDINGSASOF MARCH 31, 2011
| | | | |
Baron Opportunity Fund | | % of Net Assets | |
Gartner, Inc. | | | 3.9% | |
Equinix, Inc. | | | 3.7% | |
SBA Communications Corp., Cl A | | | 3.6% | |
NII Holdings, Inc. | | | 3.5% | |
CARBO Ceramics, Inc. | | | 2.9% | |
Apple, Inc. | | | 2.8% | |
MSCI, Inc., Cl A | | | 2.6% | |
Polypore International, Inc. | | | 2.5% | |
ANSYS, Inc. | | | 2.5% | |
Polycom, Inc. | | | 2.5% | |
| | | 30.5% | |
SECTOR BREAKDOWNASOF MARCH 31, 20111
(as a percentage of net assets)
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0001193125-11-147430/g180721g31r62.jpg)
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSIONOF FUND PERFORMANCE
Baron Opportunity Fund (Retail Shares) performed well for the six months ended March 31, 2011. The Fund gained 21.24%, compared to 22.96% for the Russell Midcap Growth Index and 17.31% for the S&P 500 Index.
Baron Opportunity Fund, like the other Baron Funds, utilizes value purchase disciplines while investing in growth companies that the Adviser believes are driving or benefiting from innovation through development of pioneering, transformative or technologically advanced products and services.
The economy has demonstrated steady improvement over the past six months as evidenced by growing corporate profits. Certain risks remain, including continuing high unemployment, depressed home prices, budget deficits and the threat of inflation. New risks have surfaced as well, stemming from the disaster in Japan and civil unrest that has engulfed the Middle East and North Africa. Nonetheless, investors showed increasing confidence throughout the period as they continued to focus on corporate profits, increased market stability, improved credit quality and the Federal Reserve’s attention to providing increased liquidity.
In the current environment, two innovative industries that appear particularly attractive are wireless data services and health care. We believe growth in wireless data services is coming from the increasing usage of smartphones and other advanced data devices. The appeal of these devices and the need for increased bandwidth has created opportunities for innovation that we believe will continue to benefit this industry.
In health care, we have invested in companies that are saving lives, saving money, and changing the way medical professionals care for patients. Real-time diagnostics, for example, is having a profound and positive impact on health care. In one major U.S. hospital, blood transfusions dropped dramatically since it started using a device that fits on a patient’s fingertip. This small device uses light technology and provides doctors and nurses vital statistics about a patient’s blood without needles or lab tests.
Today many large technology and health care companies are struggling for growth because they cut R & D spending during the downturn and stopped innovating. Many of these companies are sitting on large hoards of cash, and have been forced to make expensive acquisitions to keep pace with the competition and find growth. This dynamic has been a big benefit to the innovative companies and their investors, and we believe it will continue going forward.
CARBO Ceramics, Inc., the world’s largest supplier of ceramic proppant, used to enhance production from oil and gas wells, was the leading contributor to Fund performance in the period. We continue to see growing demand for fracturing as more wells drilled in North America are employing this technology. We think CARBO is expanding its product offering in a way that brings significant incremental earnings potential, and we continue to like the stock.
Equinix, Inc., a network neutral operator of state-of-the-art data centers across North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, was the leading detractor from Fund performance in the period. The company’s shares experienced a sharp sell-off in the Fall following disclosure that it would miss revenue expectations while making pricing concessions to certain large customers. We continue to believe Equinix represents significant growth potential over the long term.
We believe that our investment process, with its focus on research and long-term investing, will enable the Fund to continue taking advantage of opportunities as they arise throughout the economic recovery. We expect to continue to invest in high-growth businesses of all market capitalizations in any sector or industry that we believe will benefit from innovations and advances in technology.
1 | Industry sector levels are derived from the Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”), developed and exclusively owned by MSCI, Inc. and Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, unless otherwise stated that they have been reclassified or classified by the Adviser. All GICS data is provided “as is” with no warranties. |
9
| | |
Baron Fifth Avenue Growth Fund | | March 31, 2011 |
| | | | | | | | |
Baron Fifth Avenue Growth Fund | | | | | |
| | |
Ticker Symbols: | | | | | | | | |
Retail Shares: BFTHX | | | | | | | | |
Institutional Shares: BFTIX | | | | | | | | |
Performance | | | 10 | | | | | |
Top Ten Holdings | | | 11 | | | | | |
Sector Breakdown | | | 11 | | | | | |
Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance | | | 11 | | | | | |
COMPARISONOFTHECHANGEIN VALUEOF $10,000INVESTMENTIN BARON FIFTH AVENUE GROWTH FUND†INRELATIONTOTHE S&P 500 INDEX
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0001193125-11-147430/g180721g04r10.jpg)
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNSFORTHEPERIODSENDED MARCH 31, 2011
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months* | | | One Year | | | Three Years | | | Five Years | | | Since Inception (April 30, 2004) | |
Baron Fifth Avenue Growth Fund — Retail Shares1,2 | | | 13.03% | | | | 9.29% | | | | 0.59% | | | | 0.42% | | | | 3.46% | |
Baron Fifth Avenue Growth Fund — Institutional Shares1,2,3 | | | 13.25% | | | | 9.62% | | | | 0.75% | | | | 0.52% | | | | 3.54% | |
S&P 500 Index1 | | | 17.31% | | | | 15.65% | | | | 2.35% | | | | 2.62% | | | | 4.75% | |
1 | The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index. The S&P 500 Index measures the performance of larger cap equities in the stock market in general. The index and the Baron Fifth Avenue Growth Fund are with dividends, which positively impact the performance results. |
2 | Past performance is not predictive of future performance. The performance data in the table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on dividends, capital gain distributions, or redemption of Fund shares. |
3 | Performance for the Institutional Shares prior to May 29, 2009 is based on the performance of the Retail Shares, which have a distribution fee. The Institutional Shares do not have a distribution fee. If the annual returns prior to May 29, 2009 did not reflect this fee, the returns would be higher. |
† | Performance information reflects results of the Retail Shares. |
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0001193125-11-147430/g180721g66o29.jpg)
1.800.99 BARON
www.BaronFunds.com
©2011 All Rights Reserved
10
| | |
March 31, 2011 | | Baron Fifth Avenue Growth Fund |
TOP TEN HOLDINGSASOF MARCH 31, 2011
| | | | |
Baron Fifth Avenue Growth Fund | | % of Net Assets | |
Halliburton Co. | | | 3.6% | |
Occidental Petroleum Corp. | | | 3.6% | |
Apple, Inc. | | | 3.5% | |
Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan, Inc. | | | 3.4% | |
FedEx Corp. | | | 3.3% | |
Ford Motor Co. | | | 3.3% | |
Intuitive Surgical, Inc. | | | 3.3% | |
Liberty Media Corp. | | | 3.2% | |
American Tower Corp., Cl A | | | 3.0% | |
Carnival Corp. | | | 2.9% | |
| | | 33.1% | |
SECTOR BREAKDOWNASOF MARCH 31, 20111
(as a percentage of net assets)
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0001193125-11-147430/g180721g24i06.jpg)
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSIONOF FUND PERFORMANCE
Baron Fifth Avenue Growth Fund (Retail Shares) gained 13.03% for the six months ended March 31, 2011, underperforming the S&P 500 Index, which gained 17.31%.
Baron Fifth Avenue Growth Fund focuses on the long-term fundamental prospects of the businesses in which it invests. This contrasts with other investors’ focus on historical operating results or current earnings expectations. The Adviser believes that historical results and the outlook for near-term earnings are often not indicative of superior longer-term prospects that can be identified through research efforts.
The economy has demonstrated steady improvement over the past six months as evidenced by growing corporate profits. Certain risks remain, including continuing high unemployment, depressed home prices, budget deficits and the threat of inflation. New risks have surfaced as well, stemming from the disaster in Japan and civil unrest that has engulfed the Middle East and North Africa. Nonetheless, investors showed increasing confidence throughout the period as they continued to focus on corporate profits, increased market stability, improved credit quality and the Federal Reserve’s attention to providing increased liquidity.
Energy-related stock prices rose during the period, outperforming the broader market. As a consequence of Middle East unrest, and Japan’s nuclear disaster, more attention is being put on U.S. domestic energy policy, exploration, and development. Various countries are also reconsidering their nuclear programs. We believe these recent developments will benefit our energy-related investments over the long term.
Improvement in the economy and the new health care legislation, in our opinion, is making the Health Care sector increasingly attractive. We invest in medical device companies that develop and sell innovative products used in a variety of medical and surgical procedures that make surgery less invasive, shorten hospitalizations, and generate cost savings. If the economy continues to improve, we expect utilization trends to accelerate.
Last quarter we observed a pullback in some consumer-oriented and transportation-related stocks based on what we believe to be a short-term reaction to rising oil prices. We continue to find unique large-cap businesses that we believe are poised for significant growth over a multi-year time horizon. We believe the portfolio is well positioned for the current economic and stock market environment.
Haliburton Co. was the leading contributor to Fund performance in the period. The company is the leader in providing technology and services for the development of unconventional oil and gas resources. It also has strong positions in deepwater exploration and development and operates in over 80 countries. Despite poor weather in a number of key markets and political unrest in the Middle East, which had a negative impact on first-quarter earnings, the combination of higher oil prices and better-than-expected rig activity drove shares higher.
Equinix, Inc., a network neutral operator of state-of-the-art data centers across North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, was the leading detractor from Fund performance in the period. The company’s shares experienced a sharp sell-off in the Fall following disclosure that it would miss revenue expectations while making pricing concessions to certain large customers. We continue to believe Equinix represents significant growth potential over the long term.
The Adviser invests in what we believe are some of the best companies in America. The Fund is positioned, in our view, in blue-chip, best-of-breed growth companies with a strong emphasis on quality to reduce risk. We believe the key to long-term stock appreciation is consistent earnings growth. We invest in those companies that are market share leaders who dominate their industry, companies with strong franchises and a strong brand name, avoiding fads and other short-term, unsustainable trends. We target companies that are the low-cost operators in their industry with, in our view, high barriers to entry. We also try to invest in growth companies that are positioned in industries that are themselves growing as opposed to industries that are stagnant or structurally challenged.
1 | Industry sector levels are derived from the Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”), developed and exclusively owned by MSCI, Inc. and Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, unless otherwise stated that they have been reclassified or classified by the Adviser. All GICS data is provided “as is” with no warranties. |
11
| | |
Baron Asset Fund | | March 31, 2011 |
STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS (UNAUDITED)
MARCH 31, 2011
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares | | | | | Cost | | | Value | |
| Common Stocks (97.45%) | | | | | | | | |
| Consumer Discretionary (24.26%) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Advertising (1.27%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,025,000 | | | Lamar Advertising Co., Cl A1 | | $ | 53,133,779 | | | $ | 37,863,500 | |
| | | |
| | | | Apparel Retail (1.00%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Urban Outfitters, Inc.1 | | | 17,391,964 | | | | 29,830,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Apparel, Accessories & Luxury Goods (3.22%) | | | | | | | | |
| 775,000 | | | Polo Ralph Lauren Corp., Cl A | | | 14,925,404 | | | | 95,828,750 | |
| | | |
| | | | Auto Parts & Equipment (0.71%) | | | | | | | | |
| 75,000 | | | BorgWarner, Inc.1 | | | 4,227,642 | | | | 5,976,750 | |
| 500,000 | | | Gentex Corp. | | | 14,728,771 | | | | 15,125,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 18,956,413 | | | | 21,101,750 | |
| | | |
| | | | Automotive Retail (0.54%) | | | | | | | | |
| 500,000 | | | CarMax, Inc.1 | | | 5,701,415 | | | | 16,050,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Broadcasting (1.48%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,100,000 | | | Discovery Communications, Inc., Cl A1 | | | 29,767,574 | | | | 43,890,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Casinos & Gaming (2.14%) | | | | | | | | |
| 500,000 | | | Wynn Resorts, Ltd. | | | 1,660,930 | | | | 63,625,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Education Services (2.50%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,350,000 | | | DeVry, Inc. | | | 10,721,692 | | | | 74,344,500 | |
| | | |
| | | | Hotels, Resorts & Cruise Lines (2.34%) | | | | | | | | |
| 850,000 | | | Choice Hotels International, Inc. | | | 4,185,563 | | | | 33,022,500 | |
| 850,000 | | | Hyatt Hotels Corp., Cl A1 | | | 24,084,647 | | | | 36,584,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 28,270,210 | | | | 69,606,500 | |
| | | |
| | | | Household Appliances (0.58%) | | | | | | | | |
| 225,000 | | | Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. | | | 13,421,708 | | | | 17,235,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Internet Retail (1.88%) | | | | | | | | |
| 110,000 | | | priceline.com, Inc.1 | | | 17,910,917 | | | | 55,708,400 | |
| | | |
| | | | Leisure Facilities (2.95%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,799,200 | | | Vail Resorts, Inc.1 | | | 35,613,087 | | | | 87,728,992 | |
| | | |
| | | | Specialty Stores (3.65%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,250,000 | | | Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc.1 | | | 35,113,986 | | | | 49,975,000 | |
| 950,000 | | | Tiffany & Co. | | | 30,239,344 | | | | 58,368,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 65,353,330 | | | | 108,343,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Consumer Discretionary | | | 312,828,423 | | | | 721,155,392 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| Energy (10.24%) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Oil & Gas Drilling (1.79%) | | | | | | | | |
| 775,000 | | | Helmerich & Payne, Inc. | | | 23,964,498 | | | | 53,234,750 | |
| | | |
| | | | Oil & Gas Equipment & Services (2.29%) | | | | | | | | |
| 440,000 | | | Core Laboratories N.V.2 | | | 30,622,516 | | | | 44,954,800 | |
| 250,000 | | | SEACOR Holdings, Inc.1 | | | 7,030,773 | | | | 23,115,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 37,653,289 | | | | 68,069,800 | |
| | | |
| | | | Oil & Gas Exploration & Production (4.52%) | | | | | | | | |
| 489,500 | | | Concho Resources, Inc.1 | | | 22,879,901 | | | | 52,523,350 | |
| 360,000 | | | SM Energy Co. | | | 21,209,164 | | | | 26,708,400 | |
| 750,000 | | | Whiting Petroleum Corp.1 | | | 26,220,923 | | | | 55,087,500 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 70,309,988 | | | | 134,319,250 | |
| | | |
| | | | Oil & Gas Storage & Transportation (1.64%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,700,000 | | | Southern Union Co. | | | 20,450,150 | | | | 48,654,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Energy | | | 152,377,925 | | | | 304,277,800 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares | | | | | Cost | | | Value | |
| Common Stocks (continued) | | | | | | | | |
| Financials (15.43%) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Asset Management & Custody Banks (3.17%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,175,000 | | | Eaton Vance Corp. | | $ | 25,858,501 | | | $ | 37,882,000 | |
| 850,000 | | | T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. | | | 23,450,029 | | | | 56,457,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 49,308,530 | | | | 94,339,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Insurance Brokers (0.54%) | | | | | | | | |
| 625,000 | | | Brown & Brown, Inc. | | | 11,088,023 | | | | 16,125,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Investment Banking & Brokerage (3.64%) | | | | | | | | |
| 6,000,000 | | | Charles Schwab Corp. | | | 11,701,340 | | | | 108,180,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Office REITs (1.83%) | | | | | | | | |
| 133,500 | | | Alexander’s, Inc.4 | | | 7,221,750 | | | | 54,327,825 | |
| | | |
| | | | Real Estate Services (1.17%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,300,000 | | | CB Richard Ellis Group, Inc., Cl A1 | | | 14,831,561 | | | | 34,710,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Regional Banks (0.47%) | | | | | | | | |
| 450,000 | | | First Republic Bank1 | | | 11,878,902 | | | | 13,909,500 | |
| | | |
| | | | Reinsurance (2.09%) | | | | | | | | |
| 625,000 | | | Arch Capital Group, Ltd.1,2 | | | 20,620,935 | | | | 61,993,750 | |
| | | |
| | | | Specialized Finance (2.52%) | | | | | | | | |
| 90,000 | | | CME Group, Inc., Cl A | | | 6,209,144 | | | | 27,139,500 | |
| 1,300,000 | | | MSCI, Inc., Cl A1 | | | 39,123,416 | | | | 47,866,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 45,332,560 | | | | 75,005,500 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Financials | | | 171,983,601 | | | | 458,590,575 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| Health Care (12.79%) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Health Care Distributors (1.42%) | | | | | | | | |
| 600,000 | | | Henry Schein, Inc.1 | | | 16,675,146 | | | | 42,102,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Health Care Equipment (4.33%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,300,000 | | | IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.1 | | | 53,002,192 | | | | 100,386,000 | |
| 85,000 | | | Intuitive Surgical, Inc.1 | | | 12,819,285 | | | | 28,344,100 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 65,821,477 | | | | 128,730,100 | |
| | | |
| | | | Health Care Facilities (2.05%) | | | | | | | | |
| 600,000 | | | Brookdale Senior Living, Inc.1 | | | 15,940,319 | | | | 16,800,000 | |
| 1,100,000 | | | Community Health Systems, Inc.1 | | | 30,985,486 | | | | 43,989,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 46,925,805 | | | | 60,789,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Health Care Supplies (0.50%) | | | | | | | | |
| 225,000 | | | Gen-Probe, Inc.1,4 | | | 9,743,640 | | | | 14,928,750 | |
| | | |
| | | | Health Care Technology (0.65%) | | | | | | | | |
| 175,000 | | | Cerner Corp.1 | | | 15,678,453 | | | | 19,460,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Life Sciences Tools & Services (3.21%) | | | | | | | | |
| 325,000 | | | Life Technologies Corp.1 | | | 16,407,788 | | | | 17,036,500 | |
| 400,000 | | | Mettler-Toledo International, Inc.1 | | | 26,298,876 | | | | 68,800,000 | |
| 175,000 | | | Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.1 | | | 4,853,514 | | | | 9,721,250 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 47,560,178 | | | | 95,557,750 | |
| | | |
| | | | Pharmaceuticals (0.63%) | | | | | | | | |
| 235,000 | | | Perrigo Co. | | | 17,121,784 | | | | 18,687,200 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Health Care | | | 219,526,483 | | | | 380,254,800 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| Industrials (15.55%) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Air Freight & Logistics (4.52%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,100,000 | | | C. H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. | | | 20,241,548 | | | | 81,543,000 | |
| 1,050,000 | | | Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. | | | 26,285,873 | | | | 52,647,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 46,527,421 | | | | 134,190,000 | |
| | |
12 | | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
| | |
March 31, 2011 | | Baron Asset Fund |
STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
MARCH 31, 2011
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares | | | | | Cost | | | Value | |
| Common Stocks (continued) | | | | | | | | |
| Industrials (continued) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Diversified Support Services (1.47%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,550,000 | | | Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, Inc.2 | | $ | 38,130,924 | | | $ | 43,632,500 | |
| | | |
| | | | Electrical Components & Equipment (0.51%) | | | | | | | | |
| 175,000 | | | Roper Industries, Inc. | | | 14,045,821 | | | | 15,130,500 | |
| | | |
| | | | Environmental & Facilities Services (2.16%) | | | | | | | | |
| 725,000 | | | Stericycle, Inc.1 | | | 21,068,310 | | | | 64,285,750 | |
| | | |
| | | | Human Resource & Employment Services (0.88%) | | | | | | | | |
| 850,000 | | | Robert Half International, Inc. | | | 776,403 | | | | 26,010,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Research & Consulting Services (3.07%) | | | | | | | | |
| 50,000 | | | Dun & Bradstreet Corp. | | | 3,708,791 | | | | 4,012,000 | |
| 1,400,000 | | | Nielsen Holdings NV1,2 | | | 34,671,114 | | | | 38,234,000 | |
| 1,500,000 | | | Verisk Analytics, Inc., Cl A1 | | | 39,224,920 | | | | 49,140,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 77,604,825 | | | | 91,386,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Trading Companies & Distributors (2.94%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,350,000 | | | Fastenal Co. | | | 53,631,828 | | | | 87,520,500 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Industrials | | | 251,785,532 | | | | 462,155,250 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| Information Technology (14.56%) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Application Software (5.49%) | | | | | | | | |
| 800,000 | | | ANSYS, Inc.1 | | | 26,291,691 | | | | 43,352,000 | |
| 350,000 | | | Citrix Systems, Inc.1 | | | 13,746,569 | | | | 25,711,000 | |
| 900,000 | | | FactSet Research Systems, Inc. | | | 52,246,929 | | | | 94,257,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 92,285,189 | | | | 163,320,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Communications Equipment (1.05%) | | | | | | | | |
| 600,000 | | | Polycom, Inc.1 | | | 24,637,221 | | | | 31,110,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Data Processing & Outsourced Services (0.58%) | | | | | | | | |
| 150,000 | | | FleetCor Technologies, Inc.1 | | | 4,856,202 | | | | 4,899,000 | |
| 600,000 | | | Western Union Co. | | | 11,184,906 | | | | 12,462,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 16,041,108 | | | | 17,361,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Electronic Equipment & Instruments (0.93%) | | | | | | | | |
| 800,000 | | | FLIR Systems, Inc. | | | 17,739,772 | | | | 27,688,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Internet Software & Services (0.09%) | | | | | | | | |
| 50,000 | | | WebMD Health Corp., Cl A1 | | | 2,665,125 | | | | 2,671,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | IT Consulting & Other Services (6.18%) | | | | | | | | |
| 700,000 | | | Equinix, Inc.1,4 | | | 56,983,955 | | | | 63,770,000 | |
| 2,875,000 | | | Gartner, Inc.1 | | | 68,065,780 | | | | 119,801,250 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 125,049,735 | | | | 183,571,250 | |
| | | |
| | | | Systems Software (0.24%) | | | | | | | | |
| 375,000 | | | TOTVS SA (Brazil)2 | | | 6,655,067 | | | | 7,200,717 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Information Technology | | | 285,073,217 | | | | 432,921,967 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| Materials (0.95%) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Diversified Metals & Mining (0.45%) | | | | | | | | |
| 225,000 | | | Molycorp, Inc.1 | | | 11,522,309 | | | | 13,504,500 | |
| | | |
| | | | Specialty Chemicals (0.50%) | | | | | | | | |
| 300,000 | | | Rockwood Holdings, Inc.1 | | | 14,132,562 | | | | 14,766,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Materials | | | 25,654,871 | | | | 28,270,500 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Shares | | | | Cost | | | Value | |
Common Stocks (continued) | | | | | | | | |
Telecommunication Services (3.67%) | | | | | | | | |
| | Wireless Telecommunication Services (3.67%) | | | | | | | | |
1,025,000 | | NII Holdings, Inc.1 | | $ | 39,262,199 | | | $ | 42,711,750 | |
1,675,000 | | SBA Communications Corp., Cl A1 | | | 55,336,595 | | | | 66,464,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total Telecommunication Services | | | 94,598,794 | | | | 109,175,750 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total Common Stocks | | | 1,513,828,846 | | | | 2,896,802,034 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Private Equity Investments (1.26%) | | | | | | | | |
Consumer Discretionary (0.35%) | | | | | | | | |
| | Hotels, Resorts & Cruise Lines (0.35%) | | | | | | | | |
5,200,000 | | Kerzner International Holdings, Ltd., Cl A1,2,3,4,6 | | | 52,000,000 | | | | 10,400,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
Financials (0.91%) | | | | | | | | |
| | Asset Management & Custody Banks (0.91%) | | | | | | | | |
6,532,691 | | Windy City Investments Holdings LLC1,3,4,6 | | | 33,639,547 | | | | 25,085,533 | |
523,532 | | Windy City Investments Holdings LLC1,3,4,6 | | | 942,357 | | | | 1,910,891 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total Financials | | | 34,581,904 | | | | 26,996,424 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total Private Equity Investments | | | 86,581,904 | | | | 37,396,424 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Principal Amount | | | | | | |
Short Term Investments (0.90%) | | | | | | | | |
$26,780,086 | | Repurchase Agreement with Fixed Income Clearing Corp., dated 03/31/2011, 0.01% due 04/01/2011; Proceeds at maturity - $26,780,094; (Fully collateralized by U.S. Treasury Note, 3.50% due 05/15/2020; Market value - $28,122,675)5 | | | 26,780,086 | | | | 26,780,086 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total Investments (99.61%) | | $ | 1,627,190,836 | | | | 2,960,978,544 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and Other Assets Less Liabilities (0.39%) | | | | 11,673,116 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets | | | | | | $ | 2,972,651,660 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Retail Shares (Equivalent to $59.11 per share based on 44,491,071 shares outstanding) | | | $ | 2,629,692,538 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Institutional Shares (Equivalent to $59.38 per share based on 5,775,270 shares outstanding) | | | $ | 342,959,122 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
% | Represents percentage of net assets. |
1 | Non-income producing securities. |
3 | At March 31, 2011, the market value of restricted and fair valued securities amounted to $37,396,424 or 1.26% of net assets. None of these securities are deemed liquid. See Note 6 regarding Restricted Securities. |
4 | The Adviser has reclassified/classified certain securities in or out of this sub-industry. Such reclassifications/classifications are not supported by S&P or MSCI. |
5 | Level 2 security. See Note 7 regarding Fair Value Measurements. |
6 | Level 3 security. See Note 7 regarding Fair Value Measurements. |
| | |
See Notes to Financial Statements. | | 13 |
| | |
Baron Growth Fund | | March 31, 2011 |
STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS (UNAUDITED)
MARCH 31, 2011
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares | | | | | Cost | | | Value | |
| Common Stocks (96.58%) | | | | | |
| Consumer Discretionary (22.47%) | | | | | |
| | | | Apparel Retail (0.39%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,464,900 | | | Companhia Hering SA (Brazil)2 | | $ | 21,638,953 | | | $ | 26,917,588 | |
| | | |
| | | | Apparel, Accessories & Luxury Goods (1.43%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,450,000 | | | Under Armour, Inc., Cl A1 | | | 47,233,672 | | | | 98,672,500 | |
| | | |
| | | | Automotive Retail (0.34%) | | | | | | | | |
| 200,000 | | | CarMax, Inc.1 | | | 1,895,337 | | | | 6,420,000 | |
| 850,000 | | | Penske Automotive Group, Inc.1 | | | 14,931,776 | | | | 17,017,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 16,827,113 | | | | 23,437,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Casinos & Gaming (1.45%) | | | | | | | | |
| 2,700,000 | | | Penn National Gaming, Inc.1 | | | 75,975,993 | | | | 100,062,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Distributors (1.52%) | | | | | | | | |
| 4,350,000 | | | LKQ Corp.1 | | | 57,463,126 | | | | 104,835,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Education Services (5.82%) | | | | | | | | |
| 4,667,005 | | | Anhanguera Educacional Participacoes SA (Brazil)2 | | | 61,955,342 | | | | 114,284,666 | |
| 3,625,000 | | | DeVry, Inc.4 | | | 60,704,873 | | | | 199,628,750 | |
| 675,000 | | | Strayer Education, Inc.4 | | | 55,103,824 | | | | 88,080,750 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 177,764,039 | | | | 401,994,166 | |
| | | |
| | | | Home Improvement Retail (0.37%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,032,729 | | | Lumber Liquidators Holdings, Inc.1 | | | 25,756,399 | | | | 25,807,897 | |
| | | |
| | | | Hotels, Resorts & Cruise Lines (1.69%) | | | | | | | | |
| 3,000,000 | | | Choice Hotels International, Inc.4 | | | 74,119,736 | | | | 116,550,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Internet Retail (0.78%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Blue Nile, Inc.1,4 | | | 32,886,089 | | | | 53,990,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Leisure Facilities (1.42%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,900,000 | | | Vail Resorts, Inc.1,4 | | | 51,691,238 | | | | 92,644,000 | |
| 430,600 | | | Whistler Blackcomb Holdings, Inc. (Canada)2 | | | 5,253,307 | | | | 5,218,721 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 56,944,545 | | | | 97,862,721 | |
| | | |
| | | | Publishing (2.28%) | | | | | | | | |
| 2,154,552 | | | Morningstar, Inc. | | | 62,871,270 | | | | 125,782,746 | |
| 3,350,000 | | | The New York Times Co., Cl A1 | | | 32,346,583 | | | | 31,724,500 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 95,217,853 | | | | 157,507,246 | |
| | | |
| | | | Restaurants (2.08%) | | | | | | | | |
| 825,000 | | | Panera Bread Co., Cl A1 | | | 32,060,440 | | | | 104,775,000 | |
| 800,000 | | | Peet’s Coffee & Tea, Inc.1,4 | | | 18,562,773 | | | | 38,472,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 50,623,213 | | | | 143,247,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Specialty Stores (2.90%) | | | | | | | | |
| 5,000,000 | | | Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc.1 | | | 86,074,246 | | | | 199,900,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Consumer Discretionary | | | 818,524,977 | | | | 1,550,783,118 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| Consumer Staples (5.26%) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Food Distributors (0.50%) | | | | | | | | |
| 768,401 | | | United Natural Foods, Inc.1 | | | 30,490,705 | | | | 34,439,733 | |
| | | |
| | | | Household Products (0.92%) | | | | | | | | |
| 800,000 | | | Church & Dwight Co., Inc. | | | 29,177,096 | | | | 63,472,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Packaged Foods & Meats (3.84%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,064,823 | | | Diamond Foods, Inc. | | | 38,931,996 | | | | 59,417,123 | |
| 4,000,000 | | | Dole Food Co., Inc.1 | | | 48,959,106 | | | | 54,520,000 | |
| 1,107,649 | | | Ralcorp Holdings, Inc.1 | | | 40,376,485 | | | | 75,796,421 | |
| 200,000 | | | Seneca Foods Corp., Cl A1 | | | 4,400,000 | | | | 5,974,000 | |
| 1,225,000 | | | TreeHouse Foods, Inc.1 | | | 47,319,599 | | | | 69,665,750 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 179,987,186 | | | | 265,373,294 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Consumer Staples | | | 239,654,987 | | | | 363,285,027 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares | | | | | Cost | | | Value | |
| Common Stocks (continued) | | | | | | | | |
| Energy (12.49%) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Oil & Gas Drilling (1.00%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Helmerich & Payne, Inc. | | $ | 22,564,231 | | | $ | 68,690,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Oil & Gas Equipment & Services (5.19%) | | | | | | | | |
| 875,764 | | | CARBO Ceramics, Inc. | | | 59,006,928 | | | | 123,587,816 | |
| 1,388,272 | | | Core Laboratories N.V.2 | | | 43,036,240 | | | | 141,839,750 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | SEACOR Holdings, Inc. 1 | | | 69,798,678 | | | | 92,460,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 171,841,846 | | | | 357,887,566 | |
| | | |
| | | | Oil & Gas Exploration & Production (4.38%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,600,000 | | | Brigham Exploration Co.1 | | | 24,210,346 | | | | 59,488,000 | |
| 700,000 | | | Concho Resources, Inc.1 | | | 20,053,293 | | | | 75,110,000 | |
| 2,000,000 | | | Denbury Resources, Inc.1 | | | 11,237,573 | | | | 48,800,000 | |
| 247,191 | | | Oasis Petroleum, Inc.1 | | | 3,460,674 | | | | 7,816,180 | |
| 1,500,000 | | | SM Energy Co. | | | 52,961,473 | | | | 111,285,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 111,923,359 | | | | 302,499,180 | |
| | | |
| | | | Oil & Gas Storage & Transportation (1.92%) | | | | | | | | |
| 3,600,000 | | | Southern Union Co. | | | 48,544,865 | | | | 103,032,000 | |
| 814,751 | | | Targa Resources Corp. | | | 22,236,065 | | | | 29,526,576 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 70,780,930 | | | | 132,558,576 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Energy | | | 377,110,366 | | | | 861,635,322 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| Financials (10.72%) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Asset Management & Custody Banks (1.29%) | | | | | | | | |
| 500,000 | | | Cohen & Steers, Inc. | | | 6,508,018 | | | | 14,840,000 | |
| 1,500,000 | | | Eaton Vance Corp. | | | 26,667,458 | | | | 48,360,000 | |
| 925,000 | | | Financial Engines, Inc.1 | | | 13,840,204 | | | | 25,493,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 47,015,680 | | | | 88,693,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Consumer Finance (0.49%) | | | | | | | | |
| 450,000 | | | Green Dot Corp., Cl A1 | | | 24,088,302 | | | | 19,309,500 | |
| 1,385,188 | | | NetSpend Holdings, Inc.1 | | | 16,889,173 | | | | 14,572,178 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 40,977,475 | | | | 33,881,678 | |
| | | |
| | | | Diversified REITs (0.14%) | | | | | | | | |
| 470,000 | | | American Assets Trust, Inc. | | | 9,735,710 | | | | 9,996,900 | |
| | | |
| | | | Investment Banking & Brokerage (0.36%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Jefferies Group, Inc. | | | 9,859,745 | | | | 24,940,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Life & Health Insurance (0.78%) | | | | | | | | |
| 2,100,000 | | | Primerica, Inc. | | | 46,453,115 | | | | 53,571,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Office REITs (1.72%) | | | | | | | | |
| 135,500 | | | Alexander’s, Inc.5 | | | 28,639,990 | | | | 55,141,725 | |
| 3,400,000 | | | Douglas Emmett, Inc. | | | 47,518,561 | | | | 63,750,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 76,158,551 | | | | 118,891,725 | |
| | | |
| | | | Regional Banks (0.36%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,250,000 | | | SJB Escrow Corp., Cl A, 144A1,5,6 | | | 25,000,000 | | | | 24,750,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Reinsurance (2.01%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,400,000 | | | Arch Capital Group, Ltd.1,2 | | | 41,487,457 | | | | 138,866,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Residential REITs (0.29%) | | | | | | | | |
| 600,000 | | | American Campus Communities, Inc. | | | 16,235,192 | | | | 19,800,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Specialized Finance (2.25%) | | | | | | | | |
| 4,222,433 | | | MSCI, Inc., Cl A1 | | | 96,041,636 | | | | 155,469,983 | |
| | | |
| | | | Specialized REITs (1.03%) | | | | | | | | |
| 775,000 | | | Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.5 | | | 29,669,521 | | | | 60,426,750 | |
| 400,000 | | | LaSalle Hotel Properties | | | 8,565,042 | | | | 10,800,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 38,234,563 | | | | 71,226,750 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Financials | | | 447,199,124 | | | | 740,087,036 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
14 | | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
| | |
March 31, 2011 | | Baron Growth Fund |
STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
MARCH 31, 2011
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares | | | | | Cost | | | Value | |
| Common Stocks (continued) | | | | | | | | |
| Health Care (15.10%) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Health Care Equipment (4.56%) | | | | | | | | |
| 2,600,000 | | | Edwards Lifesciences Corp.1 | | $ | 36,868,520 | | | $ | 226,200,000 | |
| 1,150,000 | | | IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.1 | | | 38,825,384 | | | | 88,803,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 75,693,904 | | | | 315,003,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Health Care Facilities (2.58%) | | | | | | | | |
| 3,625,000 | | | Community Health Systems, Inc.1 | | | 71,473,442 | | | | 144,963,750 | |
| 1,300,000 | | | VCA Antech, Inc.1 | | | 34,889,375 | | | | 32,734,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 106,362,817 | | | | 177,697,750 | |
| | | |
| | | | Health Care Services (0.66%) | | | | | | | | |
| 600,000 | | | Chemed Corp. | | | 21,302,479 | | | | 39,966,000 | |
| 125,000 | | | IPC The Hospitalist Co., Inc.1 | | | 2,062,500 | | | | 5,676,250 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 23,364,979 | | | | 45,642,250 | |
| | | |
| | | | Health Care Supplies (1.26%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,200,000 | | | Gen-Probe, Inc.1,5 | | | 49,959,009 | | | | 79,620,000 | |
| 175,000 | | | Neogen Corp.1 | | | 3,887,774 | | | | 7,241,500 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 53,846,783 | | | | 86,861,500 | |
| | | |
| | | | Health Care Technology (0.30%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Inc.1 | | | 16,782,598 | | | | 20,990,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Life Sciences Tools & Services (3.41%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Mettler-Toledo International, Inc.1 | | | 58,852,435 | | | | 172,000,000 | |
| 880,943 | | | Techne Corp. | | | 46,631,249 | | | | 63,075,519 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 105,483,684 | | | | 235,075,519 | |
| | | |
| | | | Managed Health Care (2.33%) | | | | | | | | |
| 2,500,000 | | | AMERIGROUP Corp.1,4 | | | 42,959,676 | | | | 160,625,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Health Care | | | 424,494,441 | | | | 1,041,895,019 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| Industrials (11.24%) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Construction & Engineering (1.20%) | | | | | | | | |
| 3,000,000 | | | AECOM Technology Corp.1 | | | 65,871,334 | | | | 83,190,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Diversified Support Services (2.49%) | | | | | | | | |
| 2,075,000 | | | Copart, Inc.1 | | | 51,478,764 | | | | 89,909,750 | |
| 2,900,000 | | | Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, Inc.2 | | | 66,712,065 | | | | 81,635,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 118,190,829 | | | | 171,544,750 | |
| | | |
| | | | Electrical Components & Equipment (0.95%) | | | | | | | | |
| 3,243,578 | | | Generac Holdings, Inc.1 | | | 43,195,908 | | | | 65,812,198 | |
| | | |
| | | | Environmental & Facilities Services (1.02%) | | | | | | | | |
| 2,850,000 | | | Tetra Tech, Inc.1 | | | 71,178,894 | | | | 70,366,500 | |
| | | |
| | | | Industrial Machinery (1.56%) | | | | | | | | |
| 704,000 | | | Middleby Corp.1 | | | 62,120,615 | | | | 65,626,880 | |
| 400,000 | | | Valmont Industries, Inc. | | | 32,589,034 | | | | 41,748,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 94,709,649 | | | | 107,374,880 | |
| | | |
| | | | Railroads (1.69%) | | | | | | | | |
| 2,000,000 | | | Genesee & Wyoming, Inc., Cl A1 | | | 32,221,169 | | | | 116,400,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Research & Consulting Services (1.52%) | | | | | | | | |
| 939,811 | | | CoStar Group, Inc.1 | | | 40,526,096 | | | | 58,907,353 | |
| 400,000 | | | IHS, Inc., Cl A1 | | | 16,387,387 | | | | 35,500,000 | |
| 600,000 | | | Mistras Group, Inc.1 | | | 7,563,468 | | | | 10,326,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 64,476,951 | | | | 104,733,353 | |
| | | |
| | | | Trading Companies & Distributors (0.50%) | | | | | | | | |
| 500,000 | | | MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc., Cl A | | | 17,821,237 | | | | 34,235,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares | | | | | Cost | | | Value | |
| Common Stocks (continued) | | | | | | | | |
| Industrials (continued) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Trucking (0.31%) | | | | | | | | |
| 475,000 | | | Landstar System, Inc. | | $ | 11,073,375 | | | $ | 21,698,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Industrials | | | 518,739,346 | | | | 775,354,681 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| Information Technology (13.65%) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Application Software (7.58%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,400,000 | | | Advent Software, Inc.1 | | | 26,532,888 | | | | 40,138,000 | |
| 2,250,000 | | | ANSYS, Inc.1 | | | 54,764,730 | | | | 121,927,500 | |
| 183,452 | | | Blackboard, Inc.1 | | | 6,927,498 | | | | 6,648,300 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Concur Technologies, Inc.1 | | | 22,319,863 | | | | 55,450,000 | |
| 1,635,000 | | | FactSet Research Systems, Inc. | | | 82,436,633 | | | | 171,233,550 | |
| 1,550,000 | | | Pegasystems, Inc. | | | 47,512,692 | | | | 58,807,000 | |
| 535,038 | | | RealPage, Inc.1 | | | 13,417,979 | | | | 14,836,604 | |
| 2,423,656 | | | SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc.1 | | | 40,675,932 | | | | 49,491,056 | |
| 140,107 | | | Synchronoss Technologies, Inc.1 | | | 4,625,396 | | | | 4,868,718 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 299,213,611 | | | | 523,400,728 | |
| | | |
| | | | Internet Software & Services (1.16%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,500,000 | | | WebMD Health Corp., Cl A1 | | | 44,434,390 | | | | 80,130,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | IT Consulting & Other Services (3.68%) | | | | | | | | |
| 372,572 | | | Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp.1 | | | 6,504,476 | | | | 6,710,021 | |
| 925,000 | | | Equinix, Inc.1,5 | | | 29,378,111 | | | | 84,267,500 | |
| 3,000,000 | | | Gartner, Inc.1 | | | 49,076,692 | | | | 125,010,000 | |
| 465,734 | | | MAXIMUS, Inc. | | | 34,793,690 | | | | 37,803,629 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 119,752,969 | | | | 253,791,150 | |
| | | |
| | | | Systems Software (1.23%) | | | | | | | | |
| 4,418,000 | | | TOTVS SA (Brazil)2 | | | 60,197,679 | | | | 84,834,043 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Information Technology | | | 523,598,649 | | | | 942,155,921 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| Materials (2.85%) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Diversified Metals & Mining (2.55%) | | | | | | | | |
| 2,929,426 | | | Molycorp, Inc.1 | | | 76,925,262 | | | | 175,824,149 | |
| | | |
| | | | Fertilizers & Agricultural Chemicals (0.30%) | | | | | | | | |
| 601,920 | | | Intrepid Potash, Inc.1 | | | 19,321,732 | | | | 20,958,854 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Materials | | | 96,246,994 | | | | 196,783,003 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
| Telecommunication Services (0.52%) | | | | | |
| | | | Wireless Telecommunication Services (0.52%) | | | | | | | | |
| 900,000 | | | SBA Communications Corp., Cl A1 | | | 3,361,183 | | | | 35,712,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| Utilities (2.28%) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Electric Utilities (2.28%) | | | | | | | | |
| 2,250,000 | | | ITC Holdings Corp. | | | 69,934,399 | | | | 157,275,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Common Stocks | | | 3,518,864,466 | | | | 6,664,966,127 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Private Equity Investments (0.35%) | | | | | |
| Consumer Discretionary (0.22%) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Hotels, Resorts & Cruise Lines (0.22%) | | | | | | | | |
| 7,400,000 | | | Kerzner International Holdings, Ltd., Cl A1,2,3,5,7 | | | 74,000,000 | | | | 14,800,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
See Notes to Financial Statements. | | 15 |
| | |
Baron Growth Fund | | March 31, 2011 |
STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
MARCH 31, 2011
| | | | | | | | | | |
Shares | | | | Cost | | | Value | |
Private Equity Investments (continued) | | | | | |
Financials (0.13%) | | | | | | | | |
| | Asset Management & Custody Banks (0.13%) | | | | | | | | |
176,224 | | Windy City Investments Holdings LLC1,3,5,7 | | $ | 317,203 | | | $ | 643,217 | |
2,198,950 | | Windy City Investments Holdings LLC1,3,5,7 | | | 8,313,795 | | | | 8,443,967 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total Financials | | | 8,630,998 | | | | 9,087,184 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total Private Equity Investments | | | 82,630,998 | | | | 23,887,184 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Warrants (0.01%) | | | | | | | | |
Financials (0.01%) | | | | | | | | |
| | Regional Banks (0.01%) | | | | | | | | |
75,000 | | SJB Escrow Corp. Warrants, Exp 02/16/20171,5,6 | | | 0 | | | | 489,187 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Principal Amount | | | | | | |
Short Term Investments (2.71%) | | | | | | | | |
$186,957,745 | | Repurchase Agreement with Fixed Income Clearing Corp., dated 03/31/2011, 0.01% due 04/01/2011; Proceeds at maturity - $186,957,797; (Fully collateralized by U.S. Treasury Note, 3.50% due 05/15/2020; Market value - $184,559,550 and U.S. Treasury Note, 1.875% due 06/30/2015; Market value - $11,748,450)6 | | | 186,957,745 | | | | 186,957,745 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total Investments (99.65%) | | $ | 3,788,453,209 | | | | 6,876,300,243 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and Other Assets Less Liabilities (0.35%) | | | | | | | 24,234,376 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets | | | | | | $ | 6,900,534,619 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Retail Shares (Equivalent to $56.03 per share based on 99,891,741 shares outstanding) | | | $ | 5,596,701,625 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Institutional Shares (Equivalent to $56.29 per share based on 23,162,844 shares outstanding) | | | $ | 1,303,832,994 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
% | Represents percentage of net assets. |
1 | Non-income producing securities. |
3 | At March 31, 2011, the market value of restricted and fair valued securities amounted to $23,887,184 or 0.35% of net assets. None of these securities are deemed liquid. See Note 6 regarding Restricted Securities. |
4 | See Note 9 regarding “Affiliated” companies. |
5 | The Adviser has reclassified/classified certain securities in or out of this sub-industry. Such reclassifications/classifications are not supported by S&P or MSCI. |
6 | Level 2 security. See Note 7 regarding Fair Value Measurements. |
7 | Level 3 security. See Note 7 regarding Fair Value Measurements. |
144A | Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. This security may be resold in transactions that are exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. This security has been deemed liquid pursuant to policies and procedures approved by the Board of Trustees, unless otherwise noted. At March 31, 2011, the market value of Rule 144A securities amounted to $24,750,000 or 0.36% of net assets. |
| | |
16 | | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
| | |
March 31, 2011 | | Baron Small Cap Fund |
STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS (UNAUDITED)
MARCH 31, 2011
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares | | | | | Cost | | | Value | |
| Common Stocks (96.09%) | | | | | | | | |
| Consumer Discretionary (22.77%) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Advertising (3.18%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Arbitron, Inc. | | $ | 38,365,381 | | | $ | 40,030,000 | |
| 1,225,000 | | | Lamar Advertising Co., Cl A1 | | | 32,190,708 | | | | 45,251,500 | |
| 2,650,000 | | | National CineMedia, Inc. | | | 55,570,049 | | | | 49,475,500 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 126,126,138 | | | | 134,757,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Apparel Retail (0.87%) | | | | | | | | |
| 500,000 | | | Rue21, Inc.1 | | | 14,319,347 | | | | 14,400,000 | |
| 750,000 | | | Urban Outfitters, Inc.1 | | | 10,990,211 | | | | 22,372,500 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 25,309,558 | | | | 36,772,500 | |
| | | |
| | | | Apparel, Accessories & Luxury Goods (3.97%) | | | | | | | | |
| 900,000 | | | Fossil, Inc.1 | | | 24,044,725 | | | | 84,285,000 | |
| 3,900,000 | | | Iconix Brand Group, Inc.1,4,5 | | | 62,609,371 | | | | 83,772,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 86,654,096 | | | | 168,057,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Auto Parts & Equipment (0.62%) | | | | | | | | |
| 617,200 | | | Tenneco, Inc.1 | | | 25,137,939 | | | | 26,200,140 | |
| | | |
| | | | Casinos & Gaming (4.39%) | | | | | | | | |
| 3,100,000 | | | Penn National Gaming, Inc.1 | | | 81,039,972 | | | | 114,886,000 | |
| 750,000 | | | WMS Industries, Inc.1 | | | 29,989,478 | | | | 26,512,500 | |
| 350,000 | | | Wynn Resorts, Ltd. | | | 3,263,528 | | | | 44,537,500 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 114,292,978 | | | | 185,936,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Computer & Electronics Retail (0.47%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,500,000 | | | hhgregg, Inc.1 | | | 25,839,828 | | | | 20,085,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Education Services (1.25%) | | | | | | | | |
| 250,000 | | | Capella Education Co.1 | | | 8,668,802 | | | | 12,447,500 | |
| 308,808 | | | Strayer Education, Inc. | | | 27,539,086 | | | | 40,296,356 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 36,207,888 | | | | 52,743,856 | |
| | | |
| | | | Footwear (0.53%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,250,000 | | | CROCS, Inc.1 | | | 22,107,582 | | | | 22,300,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Home Improvement Retail (0.80%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,350,000 | | | Lumber Liquidators Holdings, Inc.1 | | | 29,402,333 | | | | 33,736,500 | |
| | | |
| | | | Hotels, Resorts & Cruise Lines (1.14%) | | | | | | | | |
| 3,060,000 | | | Great Wolf Resorts, Inc.1,4 | | | 55,012,502 | | | | 6,456,600 | |
| 20,000,000 | | | Mandarin Oriental International, Ltd. (Singapore)2 | | | 40,047,095 | | | | 41,800,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 95,059,597 | | | | 48,256,600 | |
| | | |
| | | | Internet Retail (0.19%) | | | | | | | | |
| 2,325,000 | | | Vitacost.com, Inc.1,3,4,8 | | | 23,626,535 | | | | 7,951,500 | |
| | | |
| | | | Movies & Entertainment (3.25%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,500,000 | | | Liberty Media Corp.1 | | | 24,179,193 | | | | 110,505,000 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Madison Square Garden, Inc., Cl A1 | | | 25,134,389 | | | | 26,990,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 49,313,582 | | | | 137,495,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Restaurants (2.11%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,750,000 | | | Bravo Brio Restaurant Group, Inc.1,4 | | | 27,508,913 | | | | 30,957,500 | |
| 950,000 | | | Cheesecake Factory, Inc.1 | | | 18,719,871 | | | | 28,585,500 | |
| 1,750,000 | | | Texas Roadhouse, Inc., Cl A | | | 18,706,316 | | | | 29,732,500 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 64,935,100 | | | | 89,275,500 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Consumer Discretionary | | | 724,013,154 | | | | 963,566,596 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| Consumer Staples (0.67%) | |
| | | | Food Distributors (0.37%) | | | | | | | | |
| 350,000 | | | United Natural Foods, Inc.1 | | | 12,770,088 | | | | 15,687,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Soft Drinks (0.30%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,037,000 | | | Primo Water Corp.1,4 | | | 13,922,993 | | | | 12,703,250 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Consumer Staples | | | 26,693,081 | | | | 28,390,250 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares | | | | | Cost | | | Value | |
| Common Stocks (continued) | | | | | | | | |
| Energy (9.37%) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Oil & Gas Equipment & Services (3.12%) | | | | | | | | |
| 500,000 | | | CARBO Ceramics, Inc. | | $ | 34,457,138 | | | $ | 70,560,000 | |
| 600,000 | | | Core Laboratories N.V.2 | | | 23,095,109 | | | | 61,302,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 57,552,247 | | | | 131,862,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Oil & Gas Exploration & Production (4.94%) | | | | | | | | |
| 2,000,000 | | | Brigham Exploration Co.1 | | | 21,988,814 | | | | 74,360,000 | |
| 700,000 | | | Concho Resources, Inc.1 | | | 19,625,308 | | | | 75,110,000 | |
| 900,000 | | | GeoResources, Inc.1 | | | 15,304,693 | | | | 28,143,000 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Oasis Petroleum, Inc.1 | | | 14,212,944 | | | | 31,620,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 71,131,759 | | | | 209,233,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Oil & Gas Storage & Transportation (1.31%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,016,118 | | | PAA Natural Gas Storage LP 3,8 | | | 21,532,500 | | | | 23,441,842 | |
| 201,995 | | | PAA Natural Gas Storage LP | | | 4,349,046 | | | | 4,754,962 | |
| 750,000 | | | Targa Resources Corp. | | | 17,965,719 | | | | 27,180,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 43,847,265 | | | | 55,376,804 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Energy | | | 172,531,271 | | | | 396,471,804 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| Financials (8.38%) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Asset Management & Custody Banks (1.04%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,600,000 | | | Financial Engines, Inc.1 | | | 24,999,594 | | | | 44,096,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Consumer Finance (0.51%) | | | | | | | | |
| 500,000 | | | Green Dot Corp., Cl A1 | | | 25,279,603 | | | | 21,455,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Office REITs (2.49%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,350,000 | | | Corporate Office Properties Trust | | | 47,245,258 | | | | 48,789,000 | |
| 750,000 | | | SL Green Realty Corp. | | | 17,178,705 | | | | 56,400,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 64,423,963 | | | | 105,189,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Real Estate Services (1.01%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,600,000 | | | CB Richard Ellis Group, Inc., Cl A1 | | | 7,842,478 | | | | 42,720,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Regional Banks (0.58%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,250,000 | | | SJB Escrow Corp., Cl A, 144A1,5,8 | | | 25,000,000 | | | | 24,750,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Residential REITs (0.56%) | | | | | | | | |
| 2,000,000 | | | Campus Crest Communities, Inc.4 | | | 25,137,765 | | | | 23,660,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Specialized Finance (0.98%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,126,513 | | | MSCI, Inc., Cl A1 | | | 25,427,990 | | | | 41,478,209 | |
| | | |
| | | | Specialized REITs (1.21%) | | | | | | | | |
| 2,000,000 | | | Chesapeake Lodging Trust4 | | | 35,285,655 | | | | 34,820,000 | |
| 750,000 | | | Pebblebrook Hotel Trust | | | 14,262,778 | | | | 16,612,500 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 49,548,433 | | | | 51,432,500 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Financials | | | 247,659,826 | | | | 354,780,709 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| Health Care (11.53%) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Health Care Equipment (3.63%) | | | | | | | | |
| 700,000 | | | IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.1 | | | 22,713,021 | | | | 54,054,000 | |
| 150,000 | | | Intuitive Surgical, Inc.1 | | | 2,175,000 | | | | 50,019,000 | |
| 1,500,000 | | | Masimo Corp. | | | 33,862,646 | | | | 49,650,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 58,750,667 | | | | 153,723,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Health Care Facilities (3.40%) | | | | | | | | |
| 3,550,000 | | | Brookdale Senior Living, Inc.1 | | | 68,396,819 | | | | 99,400,000 | |
| 1,750,000 | | | Emeritus Corp.1 | | | 50,131,389 | | | | 44,555,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 118,528,208 | | | | 143,955,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Health Care Supplies (1.18%) | | | | | | | | |
| 750,000 | | | Gen-Probe, Inc.1,5 | | | 31,517,368 | | | | 49,762,500 | |
| | |
See Notes to Financial Statements. | | 17 |
| | |
Baron Small Cap Fund | | March 31, 2011 |
STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
MARCH 31, 2011
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares | | | | | Cost | | | Value | |
| Common Stocks (continued) | | | | | | | | |
| Health Care (continued) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Life Sciences Tools & Services (3.32%) | | | | | | | | |
| 600,000 | | | Covance, Inc.1 | | $ | 21,774,270 | | | $ | 32,832,000 | |
| 1,164,916 | | | Luminex Corp.1 | | | 19,283,188 | | | | 21,853,824 | |
| 500,000 | | | Mettler-Toledo International, Inc.1 | | | 31,248,358 | | | | 86,000,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 72,305,816 | | | | 140,685,824 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Health Care | | | 281,102,059 | | | | 488,126,324 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| Industrials (19.78%) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Aerospace & Defense (3.25%) | | | | | | | | |
| 2,000,000 | | | KEYW Holding Corp.1,4 | | | 23,283,711 | | | | 24,560,000 | |
| 1,350,000 | | | TransDigm Group, Inc.1 | | | 35,096,586 | | | | 113,170,500 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 58,380,297 | | | | 137,730,500 | |
| | | |
| | | | Building Products (0.43%) | | | | | | | | |
| 559,100 | | | Trex Co., Inc.1 | | | 15,259,090 | | | | 18,237,842 | |
| | | |
| | | | Construction & Farm Machinery & Heavy Trucks (1.30%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,750,000 | | | Accuride Corp.1 | | | 25,842,449 | | | | 24,307,500 | |
| 450,000 | | | Wabtec Corp. | | | 13,589,577 | | | | 30,523,500 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 39,432,026 | | | | 54,831,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Diversified Support Services (1.33%) | | | | | | | | |
| 2,000,000 | | | Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, Inc.2 | | | 37,985,919 | | | | 56,300,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Electrical Components & Equipment (1.36%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Polypore International, Inc.1 | | | 34,229,960 | | | | 57,580,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Environmental & Facilities Services (5.41%) | | | | | | | | |
| 850,000 | | | Clean Harbors, Inc.1 | | | 44,961,979 | | | | 83,861,000 | |
| 2,000,000 | | | Covanta Holding Corp. | | | 29,064,108 | | | | 34,160,000 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Tetra Tech, Inc.1 | | | 25,773,708 | | | | 24,690,000 | |
| 3,000,000 | | | Waste Connections, Inc. | | | 54,338,355 | | | | 86,370,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 154,138,150 | | | | 229,081,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Human Resource & Employment Services (0.98%) | | | | | | | | |
| 750,000 | | | Towers Watson & Co., Cl A | | | 29,383,852 | | | | 41,595,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Industrial Machinery (2.95%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,100,000 | | | Graco, Inc. | | | 25,662,211 | | | | 50,039,000 | |
| 650,000 | | | Nordson Corp. | | | 42,812,852 | | | | 74,789,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 68,475,063 | | | | 124,828,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Railroads (1.24%) | | | | | | | | |
| 900,000 | | | Genesee & Wyoming, Inc., Cl A1 | | | 23,192,198 | | | | 52,380,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Research & Consulting Services (1.53%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,250,000 | | | Huron Consulting Group, Inc.1,4 | | | 40,540,236 | | | | 34,612,500 | |
| 1,750,000 | | | Mistras Group, Inc.1,4 | | | 20,709,995 | | | | 30,117,500 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 61,250,231 | | | | 64,730,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Industrials | | | 521,726,786 | | | | 837,293,342 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| Information Technology (15.11%) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Application Software (3.33%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,200,000 | | | Advent Software, Inc.1 | | | 16,654,197 | | | | 34,404,000 | |
| 2,000,000 | | | RealPage, Inc.1 | | | 39,823,030 | | | | 55,460,000 | |
| 282,100 | | | Synchronoss Technologies, Inc.1 | | | 9,489,553 | | | | 9,802,975 | |
| 700,000 | | | Ultimate Software Group, Inc.1 | | | 17,611,028 | | | | 41,125,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 83,577,808 | | | | 140,791,975 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares | | | | | Cost | | | Value | |
| Common Stocks (continued) | | | | | | | | |
| Information Technology (continued) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Data Processing & Outsourced Services (0.83%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,000,000 | | | FleetCor Technologies, Inc.1 | | $ | 25,103,188 | | | $ | 32,660,000 | |
| 50,000 | | | Wright Express Corp.1 | | | 2,239,329 | | | | 2,592,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 27,342,517 | | | | 35,252,000 | |
| | | | Electronic Components (0.75%) | | | | | | | | |
| 701,000 | | | Rogers Corp.1 | | | 30,677,256 | | | | 31,587,060 | |
| | | |
| | | | Electronic Equipment & Instruments (2.39%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,500,000 | | | FLIR Systems, Inc. | | | 10,094,186 | | | | 51,915,000 | |
| 1,500,000 | | | National Instruments Corp. | | | 29,401,075 | | | | 49,155,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 39,495,261 | | | | 101,070,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Electronic Manufacturing Services (0.60%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,200,000 | | | Mercury Computer Systems, Inc.1 | | | 21,896,957 | | | | 25,392,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Internet Software & Services (0.46%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,000,000 | | | AOL, Inc.1 | | | 23,050,041 | | | | 19,530,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | IT Consulting & Other Services (4.96%) | | | | | | | | |
| 875,000 | | | Equinix, Inc.1,5 | | | 55,025,037 | | | | 79,712,500 | |
| 2,250,000 | | | Gartner, Inc.1 | | | 41,942,702 | | | | 93,757,500 | |
| 1,250,000 | | | Telvent GIT SA (Spain)1,2 | | | 40,609,861 | | | | 36,387,500 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 137,577,600 | | | | 209,857,500 | |
| | | |
| | | | Semiconductor Equipment (0.49%) | | | | | | | | |
| 750,000 | | | Rubicon Technology, Inc.1,6 | | | 9,965,838 | | | | 20,760,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Semiconductors (0.72%) | | | | | | | | |
| 800,000 | | | Power Integrations, Inc. | | | 29,237,460 | | | | 30,664,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Technology Distributors (0.58%) | | | | | | | | |
| 350,000 | | | Anixter International, Inc.1 | | | 16,167,504 | | | | 24,461,500 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Information Technology | | | 418,988,242 | | | | 639,366,035 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| Materials (4.31%) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Construction Materials (0.43%) | | | | | | | | |
| 600,000 | | | Eagle Materials, Inc. | | | 10,395,269 | | | | 18,156,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Diversified Metals & Mining (1.88%) | | | | | | | | |
| 3,500,000 | | | Globe Specialty Metals, Inc. | | | 36,717,668 | | | | 79,660,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Specialty Chemicals (2.00%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,500,000 | | | Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc.1 | | | 41,079,391 | | | | 57,375,000 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Nalco Holding Co. | | | 17,014,844 | | | | 27,310,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 58,094,235 | | | | 84,685,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Materials | | | 105,207,172 | | | | 182,501,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| Telecommunication Services (3.80%) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Wireless Telecommunication Services (3.80%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,000,000 | | | American Tower Corp., Cl A1 | | | 3,440,020 | | | | 51,820,000 | |
| 2,750,000 | | | SBA Communications Corp., Cl A1 | | | 26,849,041 | | | | 109,120,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Telecommunication Services | | | 30,289,061 | | | | 160,940,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| Utilities (0.37%) | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | | Electric Utilities (0.37%) | | | | | | | | |
| 225,000 | | | ITC Holdings Corp. | | | 9,427,959 | | | | 15,727,500 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Common Stocks | | | 2,537,638,611 | | | | 4,067,163,560 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
18 | | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
| | |
March 31, 2011 | | Baron Small Cap Fund |
STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
MARCH 31, 2011
| | | | | | | | | | |
Shares | | | | Cost | | | Value | |
Private Equity Investments (0.17%) | | | | | |
Consumer Discretionary (0.17%) | | | | | |
| | Hotels, Resorts & Cruise Lines (0.17%) | | | | | | | | |
3,500,000 | | Kerzner International Holdings, Ltd., Cl A1,2,3,5,9 | | $ | 35,000,000 | | | $ | 7,000,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Warrants (0.01%) | | | | | | | | |
| | |
Financials (0.01%) | | | | | | | | |
| | Regional Banks (0.01%) | | | | | | | | |
75,000 | | SJB Escrow Corp.1,5,8 | | | 0 | | | | 489,188 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Principal Amount | | | | | | | | |
Short Term Investments (3.81%) | | | | | |
$147,367,970 | | Repurchase Agreement with Fixed Income Clearing Corp., dated 03/31/2011, 0.01% due 04/01/2011; Proceeds at maturity - $147,368,011; (Fully collateralized by U.S. Treasury Note, 3.50% due 05/15/2020; Market value - $17,154,113 and U.S. Treasury Note, 2.625% due 11/15/2020; Market value - $137,582,550)8 | | | 147,367,970 | | | | 147,367,970 | |
14,000,000 | | Repurchase Agreement with Fixed Income Clearing Corp., dated 03/31/2011, 0.01% due 04/01/2011; Proceeds at maturity - $14,000,004; (Fully collateralized by U.S. Treasury Note, 3.50% due 05/15/2020; Market value - $14,703,525)7,8 | | | 14,000,000 | | | | 14,000,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total Short Term Investments | | | 161,367,970 | | | | 161,367,970 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total Investments (100.08%) | | $ | 2,734,006,581 | | | | 4,236,020,718 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Liabilities Less Cash and Other Assets (-0.08%) | | | | | | | (3,577,872 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets | | | | | | $ | 4,232,442,846 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Retail Shares (Equivalent to $26.17 per share based on 140,785,444 shares outstanding) | | | $ | 3,685,012,145 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Institutional Shares (Equivalent to $26.29 per share based on 20,821,059 shares outstanding) | | | $ | 547,430,701 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
% | Represents percentage of net assets. |
1 | Non-income producing securities. |
3 | At March 31, 2011, the market value of restricted and fair valued securities amounted to $38,393,342 or 0.91% of net assets. None of these securities are deemed liquid. See Note 6 regarding Restricted Securities. |
4 | See Note 9 regarding “Affiliated” companies. |
5 | The Adviser has reclassified/classified certain securities in or out of this sub-industry. Such reclassifications/classifications are not supported by S&P or MSCI. |
6 | All or a portion of this security is on loan. The value of all securities loaned at March 31, 2011 amounted to $13,840,000, which is 0.33% of net assets. See Note 2d regarding Securities Lending. |
7 | Represents security purchased with the cash collateral received for security on loan. |
8 | Level 2 security. See Note 7 regarding Fair Value Measurements. |
9 | Level 3 security. See Note 7 regarding Fair Value Measurements. |
144A | Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. This security may be resold in transactions that are exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. This security has been deemed liquid pursuant to policies and procedures approved by the Board of Trustees, unless otherwise noted. At March 31, 2011, the market value of Rule 144A securities amounted to $24,750,000 or 0.58% of net assets. |
| | |
See Notes to Financial Statements. | | 19 |
| | |
Baron Opportunity Fund | | March 31, 2011 |
STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS (UNAUDITED)
MARCH 31, 2011
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares | | | | | Cost | | | Value | |
| Common Stocks (96.00%) | | | | | | | | |
| Consumer Discretionary (15.56%) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Advertising (3.24%) | | | | | | | | |
| 175,500 | | | Lamar Advertising Co., Cl A1 | | $ | 5,581,388 | | | $ | 6,482,970 | |
| 198,500 | | | National CineMedia, Inc. | | | 3,524,779 | | | | 3,705,995 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 9,106,167 | | | | 10,188,965 | |
| | | |
| | | | Auto Parts & Equipment (1.02%) | | | | | | | | |
| 105,500 | | | Gentex Corp. | | | 3,032,498 | | | | 3,191,375 | |
| | | |
| | | | Automotive Retail (1.01%) | | | | | | | | |
| 98,500 | | | CarMax, Inc.1 | | | 2,467,463 | | | | 3,161,850 | |
| | | |
| | | | Broadcasting (1.97%) | | | | | | | | |
| 175,500 | | | Discovery Communications, Inc., Series C1 | | | 6,514,899 | | | | 6,179,355 | |
| | | |
| | | | Casinos & Gaming (0.99%) | | | | | | | | |
| 88,000 | | | WMS Industries, Inc.1 | | | 3,353,035 | | | | 3,110,800 | |
| | | |
| | | | Internet Retail (5.39%) | | | | | | | | |
| 29,500 | | | Amazon.com, Inc.1 | | | 3,048,952 | | | | 5,313,835 | |
| 85,100 | | | Blue Nile, Inc.1 | | | 3,704,608 | | | | 4,594,549 | |
| 11,000 | | | priceline.com, Inc.1 | | | 2,142,513 | | | | 5,570,840 | |
| 425,000 | | | Vitacost.com, Inc.1,3,5 | | | 4,243,836 | | | | 1,453,500 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 13,139,909 | | | | 16,932,724 | |
| | | |
| | | | Movies & Entertainment (1.94%) | | | | | | | | |
| 82,500 | | | Liberty Media Corp.1 | | | 3,979,823 | | | | 6,077,775 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Consumer Discretionary | | | 41,593,794 | | | | 48,842,844 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| Energy (6.69%) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Oil & Gas Equipment & Services (4.90%) | | | | | | | | |
| 64,000 | | | CARBO Ceramics, Inc. | | | 4,387,341 | | | | 9,031,680 | |
| 350,000 | | | RigNet, Inc.1 | | | 4,200,000 | | | | 6,363,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 8,587,341 | | | | 15,394,680 | |
| | | |
| | | | Oil & Gas Exploration & Production (1.79%) | | | | | | | | |
| 177,500 | | | Oasis Petroleum, Inc.1 | | | 2,650,115 | | | | 5,612,550 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Energy | | | 11,237,456 | | | | 21,007,230 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| Financials (8.01%) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Asset Management & Custody Banks (1.05%) | | | | | | | | |
| 120,000 | | | Financial Engines, Inc.1 | | | 1,567,980 | | | | 3,307,200 | |
| | | |
| | | | Consumer Finance (1.97%) | | | | | | | | |
| 64,746 | | | Green Dot Corp., Cl A1 | | | 3,218,476 | | | | 2,778,251 | |
| 323,000 | | | NetSpend Holdings, Inc.1 | | | 3,885,645 | | | | 3,397,960 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 7,104,121 | | | | 6,176,211 | |
| | | |
| | | | Diversified Real Estate Activities (1.01%) | | | | | | | | |
| 98,000 | | | Brookfield Asset Management, Inc., Cl A2 | | | 2,806,491 | | | | 3,181,080 | |
| | | |
| | | | Investment Banking & Brokerage (1.41%) | | | | | | | | |
| 245,000 | | | Charles Schwab Corp. | | | 3,614,887 | | | | 4,417,350 | |
| | | |
| | | | Specialized Finance (2.57%) | | | | | | | | |
| 219,100 | | | MSCI, Inc., Cl A1 | | | 5,788,659 | | | | 8,067,262 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Financials | | | 20,882,138 | | | | 25,149,103 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| Health Care (9.96%) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Health Care Equipment (3.92%) | | | | | | | | |
| 13,500 | | | Intuitive Surgical, Inc.1 | | | 3,532,053 | | | | 4,501,710 | |
| 235,500 | | | Masimo Corp. | | | 6,173,492 | | | | 7,795,050 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 9,705,545 | | | | 12,296,760 | |
| | | |
| | | | Health Care Services (1.16%) | | | | | | | | |
| 44,500 | | | HMS Holdings Corp.1 | | | 2,315,560 | | | | 3,642,325 | |
| | | |
| | | | Health Care Supplies (0.84%) | | | | | | | | |
| 40,000 | | | Gen-Probe, Inc.1,4 | | | 1,985,224 | | | | 2,654,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Health Care Technology (2.04%) | | | | | | | | |
| 305,000 | | | Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Inc.1 | | | 5,273,019 | | | | 6,401,950 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares | | | | | Cost | | | Value | |
| Common Stocks (continued) | | | | | | | | |
| Health Care (continued) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Life Sciences Tools & Services (2.00%) | | | | | | | | |
| 44,000 | | | Illumina, Inc.1 | | $ | 1,758,168 | | | $ | 3,083,080 | |
| 169,610 | | | Luminex Corp.1 | | | 2,841,892 | | | | 3,181,884 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 4,600,060 | | | | 6,264,964 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Health Care | | | 23,879,408 | | | | 31,259,999 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Industrials (7.52%) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Electrical Components & Equipment (2.52%) | | | | | | | | |
| 137,500 | | | Polypore International, Inc.1 | | | 4,462,895 | | | | 7,917,250 | |
| | | |
| | | | Environmental & Facilities Services (1.87%) | | | | | | | | |
| 237,500 | | | Tetra Tech, Inc.1 | | | 5,380,115 | | | | 5,863,875 | |
| | | |
| | | | Research & Consulting Services (3.13%) | | | | | | | | |
| 92,886 | | | CoStar Group, Inc.1 | | | 3,485,390 | | | | 5,822,094 | |
| 45,000 | | | IHS, Inc., Cl A1 | | | 1,812,898 | | | | 3,993,750 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 5,298,288 | | | | 9,815,844 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Industrials | | | 15,141,298 | | | | 23,596,969 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Information Technology (39.76%) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Application Software (14.04%) | | | | | | | | |
| 144,010 | | | ANSYS, Inc.1 | | | 4,813,005 | | | | 7,803,902 | |
| 57,000 | | | BroadSoft, Inc.1 | | | 1,254,000 | | | | 2,718,330 | |
| 50,000 | | | Citrix Systems, Inc.1 | | | 1,673,926 | | | | 3,673,000 | |
| 44,000 | | | FactSet Research Systems, Inc. | | | 2,649,117 | | | | 4,608,120 | |
| 66,000 | | | Informatica Corp.1 | | | 1,633,852 | | | | 3,447,180 | |
| 167,265 | | | Pegasystems, Inc. | | | 4,853,502 | | | | 6,346,034 | |
| 256,610 | | | RealPage, Inc.1 | | | 5,491,014 | | | | 7,115,796 | |
| 15,000 | | | Salesforce.com, Inc.1 | | | 1,800,868 | | | | 2,003,700 | |
| 82,000 | | | SuccessFactors, Inc.1 | | | 1,685,328 | | | | 3,205,380 | |
| 90,655 | | | Synchronoss Technologies, Inc.1 | | | 3,050,435 | | | | 3,150,261 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 28,905,047 | | | | 44,071,703 | |
| | | |
| | | | Communications Equipment (4.36%) | | | | | | | | |
| 150,500 | | | Polycom, Inc.1 | | | 6,205,799 | | | | 7,803,425 | |
| 66,000 | | | QUALCOMM, Inc. | | | 2,472,314 | | | | 3,618,780 | |
| 60,500 | | | Riverbed Technology, Inc.1 | | | 808,999 | | | | 2,277,825 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 9,487,112 | | | | 13,700,030 | |
| | | |
| | | | Computer Hardware (2.83%) | | | | | | | | |
| 25,500 | | | Apple, Inc.1 | | | 2,547,251 | | | | 8,885,475 | |
| | | |
| | | | Home Entertainment Software (1.24%) | | | | | | | | |
| 355,000 | | | Activision Blizzard, Inc. | | | 3,211,032 | | | | 3,894,350 | |
| | | |
| | | | Internet Software & Services (7.21%) | | | | | | | | |
| 270,500 | | | AOL, Inc.1 | | | 6,375,549 | | | | 5,282,865 | |
| 8,150 | | | Google, Inc., Cl A1 | | | 4,829,491 | | | | 4,777,612 | |
| 140,000 | | | LivePerson, Inc.1 | | | 1,483,223 | | | | 1,769,600 | |
| 570,241 | | | TechTarget, Inc.1 | | | 2,559,167 | | | | 5,080,847 | |
| 107,500 | | | WebMD Health Corp., Cl A1 | | | 3,503,624 | | | | 5,742,650 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 18,751,054 | | | | 22,653,574 | |
| | | |
| | | | IT Consulting & Other Services (7.63%) | | | | | | | | |
| 126,500 | | | Equinix, Inc.1,4 | | | 6,861,352 | | | | 11,524,150 | |
| 298,144 | | | Gartner, Inc.1 | | | 6,163,336 | | | | 12,423,660 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 13,024,688 | | | | 23,947,810 | |
| | | |
| | | | Systems Software (2.45%) | | | | | | | | |
| 235,000 | | | TOTVS SA (Brazil)2 | | | 2,170,536 | | | | 4,512,449 | |
| 39,000 | | | VMware, Inc., Cl A1 | | | 3,134,264 | | | | 3,180,060 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 5,304,800 | | | | 7,692,509 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Information Technology | | | 81,230,984 | | | | 124,845,451 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
20 | | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
| | |
March 31, 2011 | | Baron Opportunity Fund |
STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
MARCH 31, 2011
| | | | | | | | | | |
Shares | | | | Cost | | | Value | |
Common Stocks (continued) | | | | | | | | |
Materials (1.43%) | | | | | | | | |
| | Diversified Metals & Mining (1.43%) | | | | | | | | |
75,000 | | Molycorp, Inc.1 | | $ | 3,750,000 | | | $ | 4,501,500 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| |
Telecommunication Services (7.07%) | | | | | |
| | Wireless Telecommunication Services (7.07%) | | | | | | | | |
264,000 | | NII Holdings, Inc.1 | | | 11,749,585 | | | | 11,000,880 | |
282,000 | | SBA Communications Corp., Cl A1 | | | 6,401,980 | | | | 11,189,760 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total Telecommunication Services | | | 18,151,565 | | | | 22,190,640 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total Common Stocks | | | 215,866,643 | | | | 301,393,736 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Principal Amount | | | | | | |
Short Term Investments (4.00%) | | | | | | | | |
$ 12,555,053 | | Repurchase Agreement with Fixed Income Clearing Corp., dated 03/31/2011, 0.01% due 04/01/2011; Proceeds at maturity - $12,555,056; (Fully collateralized by U.S. Treasury Note, 3.50% due 05/15/2020; Market value - $13,182,825)5 | | | 12,555,053 | | | | 12,555,053 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total Investments (100.00%) | | $ | 228,421,696 | | | | 313,948,789 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Cash And Other Assets Less Liabilities (0.00%) | | | | | | | 12,187 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets | | | | | | $ | 313,960,976 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Retail Shares (Equivalent to $15.47 per share based on 17,123,203 shares outstanding) | | | $ | 264,969,989 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Institutional Shares (Equivalent to $15.55 per share based on 3,150,622 shares outstanding) | | | $ | 48,990,987 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
% | Represents percentage of net assets. |
1 | Non-income producing securities. |
3 | At March 31, 2011, the market value of restricted and fair valued securities amounted to $1,453,500 or 0.46% of net assets. None of these securities are deemed liquid. See Note 6 regarding Restricted Securities. |
4 | The Adviser has reclassified/classified certain securities in or out of this sub-industry. Such reclassifications/classifications are not supported by S&P or MSCI. |
5 | Level 2 security. See Note 7 regarding Fair Value Measurements. |
| | |
See Notes to Financial Statements. | | 21 |
| | |
Baron Fifth Avenue Growth Fund | | March 31, 2011 |
STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS (UNAUDITED)
MARCH 31, 2011
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares | | | | | Cost | | | Value | |
| Common Stocks (99.24%) | | | | | | | | |
| Consumer Discretionary (30.01%) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Auto Parts & Equipment (1.67%) | | | | | | | | |
| 8,300 | | | BorgWarner, Inc.1 | | $ | 507,407 | | | $ | 661,427 | |
| | | |
| | | | Automobile Manufacturers (3.29%) | | | | | | | | |
| 87,500 | | | Ford Motor Co.1 | | | 1,142,158 | | | | 1,304,625 | |
| | | |
| | | | Broadcasting (1.54%) | | | | | | | | |
| 15,300 | | | Discovery Communications, Inc., Cl A1 | | | 483,843 | | | | 610,470 | |
| | | |
| | | | Casinos & Gaming (2.08%) | | | | | | | | |
| 6,500 | | | Wynn Resorts, Ltd. | | | 790,105 | | | | 827,125 | |
| | | |
| | | | General Merchandise Stores (0.75%) | | | | | | | | |
| 6,000 | | | Target Corp. | | | 223,394 | | | | 300,060 | |
| | | |
| | | | Home Improvement Retail (2.10%) | | | | | | | | |
| 22,500 | | | Home Depot, Inc. | | | 688,825 | | | | 833,850 | |
| | | |
| | | | Hotels, Resorts & Cruise Lines (8.36%) | | | | | | | | |
| 30,000 | | | Carnival Corp.2 | | | 1,137,266 | | | | 1,150,800 | |
| 18,100 | | | Hyatt Hotels Corp., Cl A1 | | | 480,441 | | | | 779,024 | |
| 13,500 | | | Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. | | | 809,302 | | | | 784,620 | |
| 19,000 | | | Wyndham Worldwide Corp. | | | 577,123 | | | | 604,390 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 3,004,132 | | | | 3,318,834 | |
| | | |
| | | | Household Appliances (2.01%) | | | | | | | | |
| 10,400 | | | Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. | | | 790,951 | | | | 796,640 | |
| | | |
| | | | Internet Retail (2.68%) | | | | | | | | |
| 5,900 | | | Amazon.com, Inc.1 | | | 558,005 | | | | 1,062,767 | |
| | | |
| | | | Movies & Entertainment (4.52%) | | | | | | | | |
| 17,400 | | | Liberty Media Corp.1 | | | 789,329 | | | | 1,281,858 | |
| 11,000 | | | Viacom, Inc. | | | 374,518 | | | | 511,720 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 1,163,847 | | | | 1,793,578 | |
| | | |
| | | | Restaurants (1.01%) | | | | | | | | |
| 5,300 | | | McDonald’s Corp. | | | 302,639 | | | | 403,277 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Consumer Discretionary | | | 9,655,306 | | | | 11,912,653 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| Consumer Staples (1.05%) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Hypermarkets & Super Centers (1.05%) | | | | | | | | |
| 5,700 | | | Costco Wholesale Corp. | | | 259,220 | | | | 417,924 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| Energy (10.03%) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Integrated Oil & Gas (3.58%) | | | | | | | | |
| 13,600 | | | Occidental Petroleum Corp. | | | 1,062,802 | | | | 1,421,064 | |
| | | |
| | | | Oil & Gas Equipment & Services (3.64%) | | | | | | | | |
| 29,000 | | | Halliburton Co. | | | 946,210 | | | | 1,445,360 | |
| | | |
| | | | Oil & Gas Exploration & Production (2.81%) | | | | | | | | |
| 8,500 | | | Apache Corp. | | | 1,029,744 | | | | 1,112,820 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Energy | | | 3,038,756 | | | | 3,979,244 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| Financials (10.67%) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Consumer Finance (1.59%) | | | | | | | | |
| 14,000 | | | American Express Co. | | | 246,807 | | | | 632,800 | |
| | | |
| | | | Diversified Banks (2.48%) | | | | | | | | |
| 31,000 | | | Wells Fargo & Company | | | 829,979 | | | | 982,700 | |
| | | |
| | | | Diversified Real Estate Activities (2.04%) | | | | | | | | |
| 25,000 | | | Brookfield Asset Management, Inc., Cl A2 | | | 794,158 | | | | 811,500 | |
| | | |
| | | | Investment Banking & Brokerage (1.00%) | | | | | | | | |
| 2,500 | | | Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. | | | 317,499 | | | | 396,175 | |
| | |
| | | | Other Diversified Financial Services (2.61%) | | | | | |
| 22,500 | | | JPMorgan Chase & Co. | | | 723,333 | | | | 1,037,250 | |
| | | |
| | | | Property & Casualty Insurance (0.95%) | | | | | | | | |
| 3 | | | Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Cl A1 | | | 224,597 | | | | 375,900 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Financials | | | 3,136,373 | | | | 4,236,325 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares | | | | | Cost | | | Value | |
| Common Stocks (continued) | | | | | | | | |
| Health Care (7.60%) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Health Care Distributors (1.99%) | | | | | | | | |
| 10,000 | | | McKesson Corp. | | $ | 690,377 | | | $ | 790,500 | |
| | | |
| | | | Health Care Equipment (3.28%) | | | | | | | | |
| 3,900 | | | Intuitive Surgical, Inc.1 | | | 1,027,675 | | | | 1,300,494 | |
| | | |
| | | | Health Care Services (1.54%) | | | | | | | | |
| 11,000 | | | Express Scripts, Inc.1 | | | 496,455 | | | | 611,710 | |
| | | |
| | | | Life Sciences Tools & Services (0.79%) | | | | | | | | |
| 6,000 | | | Life Technologies Corp.1 | | | 297,181 | | | | 314,520 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Health Care | | | 2,511,688 | | | | 3,017,224 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| Industrials (17.95%) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Air Freight & Logistics (3.30%) | | | | | | | | |
| 14,000 | | | FedEx Corp. | | | 1,123,413 | | | | 1,309,700 | |
| | | |
| | | | Environmental & Facilities Services (1.59%) | | | | | | | | |
| 21,000 | | | Republic Services, Inc. | | | 377,505 | | | | 630,840 | |
| | | |
| | | | Industrial Conglomerates (4.28%) | | | | | | | | |
| 10,500 | | | 3M Co. | | | 868,665 | | | | 981,750 | |
| 16,000 | | | Tyco International, Ltd.2 | | | 729,967 | | | | 716,320 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 1,598,632 | | | | 1,698,070 | |
| | | |
| | | | Industrial Machinery (2.62%) | | | | | | | | |
| 20,000 | | | Danaher Corp. | | | 1,015,533 | | | | 1,038,000 | |
| | | |
| | | | Railroads (1.92%) | | | | | | | | |
| 14,000 | | | Kansas City Southern1 | | | 746,562 | | | | 762,300 | |
| | | |
| | | | Research & Consulting Services (1.51%) | | | | | | | | |
| 22,000 | | | Nielsen Holdings NV1,2 | | | 540,224 | | | | 600,820 | |
| | | |
| | | | Trading Companies & Distributors (2.73%) | | | | | | | | |
| 16,700 | | | Fastenal Co. | | | 618,899 | | | | 1,082,661 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Industrials | | | 6,020,768 | | | | 7,122,391 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| Information Technology (13.02%) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Application Software (2.64%) | | | | | | | | |
| 8,500 | | | ANSYS, Inc.1 | | | 467,096 | | | | 460,615 | |
| 8,000 | | | Citrix Systems, Inc.1 | | | 317,016 | | | | 587,680 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 784,112 | | | | 1,048,295 | |
| | | |
| | | | Communications Equipment (1.83%) | | | | | | | | |
| 14,000 | | | Polycom, Inc.1 | | | 575,861 | | | | 725,900 | |
| | | |
| | | | Computer Hardware (3.51%) | | | | | | | | |
| 4,000 | | | Apple, Inc.1 | | | 159,843 | | | | 1,393,800 | |
| | | |
| | | | Internet Software & Services (2.51%) | | | | | | | | |
| 1,700 | | | Google, Inc., Cl A1 | | | 446,222 | | | | 996,557 | |
| | | |
| | | | IT Consulting & Other Services (2.53%) | | | | | | | | |
| 11,000 | | | Equinix, Inc.1,3 | | | 805,487 | | | | 1,002,100 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Information Technology | | | 2,771,525 | | | | 5,166,652 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| Materials (3.42%) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Fertilizers & Agricultural Chemicals (3.42%) | | | | | | | | |
| 23,000 | | | Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan, Inc.2 | | | 1,324,696 | | | | 1,355,390 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| Telecommunication Services (5.49%) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Wireless Telecommunication Services (5.49%) | | | | | | | | |
| 22,700 | | | American Tower Corp., Cl A1 | | | 385,492 | | | | 1,176,314 | |
| 24,100 | | | NII Holdings, Inc.1 | | | 729,381 | | | | 1,004,247 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Telecommunication Services | | | 1,114,873 | | | | 2,180,561 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Common Stocks | | | 29,833,205 | | | | 39,388,364 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
22 | | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
| | |
March 31, 2011 | | Baron Fifth Avenue Growth Fund |
STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
MARCH 31, 2011
| | | | | | | | | | |
Principal Amount | | Cost | | | Value | |
Short Term Investments (1.03%) | | | | | | | | |
$ 409,150 | | Repurchase Agreement with Fixed Income Clearing Corp., dated 03/31/2011, 0.01% due 04/01/2011; Proceeds at maturity - $409,150; (Fully collateralized by U.S. Treasury Note, 3.50% due 05/15/2020; Market value - $431,550)4 | | $ | 409,150 | | | $ | 409,150 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total Investments (100.27%) | | $ | 30,242,355 | | | | 39,797,514 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Liabilities Less Cash and Other Assets (-0.27%) | | | | | | | (106,477 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets | | | $ | 39,691,037 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Retail Shares (Equivalent to $10.41 per share based on 2,680,731 shares outstanding) | | | $ | 27,917,808 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Institutional Shares (Equivalent to $10.43 per share based on 1,128,842 shares outstanding) | | | $ | 11,773,229 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
% | Represents percentage of net assets. |
1 | Non-income producing securities. |
3 | The Adviser has reclassified/classified certain securities in or out of this sub-industry. Such reclassifications/classifications are not supported by S&P or MSCI. |
4 | Level 2 security. See Note 7 regarding Fair Value Measurements. |
| | |
See Notes to Financial Statements. | | 23 |
| | |
Baron Funds | | March 31, 2011 |
STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (UNAUDITED)
MARCH 31, 2011
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Baron Asset Fund | | | Baron Growth Fund | | | Baron Small Cap Fund | | | Baron Opportunity Fund | | | Baron Fifth Avenue Growth Fund | |
Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments in securities, at cost | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Unaffiliated investments | | $ | 1,627,190,836 | | | $ | 3,452,425,000 | | | $ | 2,406,368,905 | | | $ | 228,421,696 | | | $ | 30,242,355 | |
“Affiliated” investments | | | — | | | | 336,028,209 | | | | 327,637,676 | | | | — | | | | — | |
Foreign currency, at cost | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 1,071,929 | | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments in securities, at value | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Unaffiliated investments | | $ | 2,960,978,544 | | | $ | 6,126,309,743 | | | $ | 3,946,409,868 | | | $ | 313,948,789 | | | $ | 39,797,514 | |
“Affiliated” investments | | | — | | | | 749,990,500 | | | | 289,610,850 | | | | — | | | | — | |
Foreign currency, at value | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 1,094,963 | | | | — | |
Cash | | | — | | | | — | | | | 497,696 | | | | — | | | | — | |
Receivable for securities sold | | | 29,357,588 | | | | 38,644,832 | | | | 13,674,468 | | | | — | | | | 364,425 | |
Receivable for shares sold | | | 1,585,444 | | | | 8,465,790 | | | | 6,973,919 | | | | 619,189 | | | | 50 | |
Dividends and interest receivable | | | 1,258,597 | | | | 3,051,342 | | | | 2,581,797 | | | | 118,705 | | | | 16,978 | |
Prepaid expenses | | | 44,044 | | | | 97,566 | | | | 59,408 | | | | 4,448 | | | | 605 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | 2,993,224,217 | | | | 6,926,559,773 | | | | 4,259,808,006 | | | | 315,786,094 | | | | 40,179,572 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Payable for securities purchased | | | 13,104,274 | | | | 12,880,439 | | | | 7,885,949 | | | | 1,696,759 | | | | 247,258 | |
Payable for shares redeemed | | | 7,262,654 | | | | 12,899,643 | | | | 5,306,485 | | | | 78,337 | | | | 189,721 | |
Payable for collateral on loaned securities | | | — | | | | — | | | | 14,000,000 | | | | — | | | | — | |
Distribution fees payable (Note 4) | | | 964 | | | | 212 | | | | 271 | | | | 995 | | | | 74 | |
Investment advisory fees payable (Note 4) | | | 329 | | | | 945 | | | | 102 | | | | 399 | | | | 615 | |
Accrued expenses and other payables | | | 204,336 | | | | 243,915 | | | | 172,353 | | | | 48,628 | | | | 50,867 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | 20,572,557 | | | | 26,025,154 | | | | 27,365,160 | | | | 1,825,118 | | | | 488,535 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets | | $ | 2,972,651,660 | | | $ | 6,900,534,619 | | | $ | 4,232,442,846 | | | $ | 313,960,976 | | | $ | 39,691,037 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets consist of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Paid-in capital | | $ | 1,520,783,581 | | | $ | 4,153,215,187 | | | $ | 2,781,665,891 | | | $ | 244,870,955 | | | $ | 35,106,263 | |
Accumulated net investment loss | | | (886,163 | ) | | | (11,800,163 | ) | | | (8,118,431 | ) | | | (1,430,606 | ) | | | (86,045 | ) |
Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions | | | 118,877,680 | | | | (328,747,546 | ) | | | (43,118,751 | ) | | | (15,030,570 | ) | | | (4,884,340 | ) |
Net unrealized appreciation of investments and foreign currency translations | | | 1,333,876,562 | | | | 3,087,867,141 | | | | 1,502,014,137 | | | | 85,551,197 | | | | 9,555,159 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets | | $ | 2,972,651,660 | | | $ | 6,900,534,619 | | | $ | 4,232,442,846 | | | $ | 313,960,976 | | | $ | 39,691,037 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Retail Shares: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets | | $ | 2,629,692,538 | | | $ | 5,596,701,625 | | | $ | 3,685,012,145 | | | $ | 264,969,989 | | | $ | 27,917,808 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares Outstanding ($0.01 par value; indefinite shares authorized) | | | 44,491,071 | | | | 99,891,741 | | | | 140,785,444 | | | | 17,123,203 | | | | 2,680,731 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Asset Value Per Share | | $ | 59.11 | | | $ | 56.03 | | | $ | 26.17 | | | $ | 15.47 | | | $ | 10.41 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Institutional Shares: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets | | $ | 342,959,122 | | | $ | 1,303,832,994 | | | $ | 547,430,701 | | | $ | 48,990,987 | | | $ | 11,773,229 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares Outstanding ($0.01 par value; indefinite shares authorized) | | | 5,775,270 | | | | 23,162,844 | | | | 20,821,059 | | | | 3,150,622 | | | | 1,128,842 | �� |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Asset Value Per Share | | $ | 59.38 | | | $ | 56.29 | | | $ | 26.29 | | | $ | 15.55 | | | $ | 10.43 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
24 | | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
| | |
March 31, 2011 | | Baron Funds |
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2011
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Baron Asset Fund | | | Baron Growth Fund | | | Baron Small Cap Fund | | | Baron Opportunity Fund | | | Baron Fifth Avenue Growth Fund | |
Investment income: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends — unaffiliated investments | | $ | 17,874,382 | | | $ | 28,396,938 | | | $ | 13,233,290 | | | $ | 541,667 | | | $ | 158,200 | |
Dividends — “affiliated” investments | | | — | | | | 2,895,000 | | | | 1,174,855 | | | | — | | | | — | |
Interest | | | 2,641 | | | | 11,473 | | | | 13,038 | | | | 1,345 | | | | 85 | |
Securities lending income | | | — | | | | — | | | | 1,627,226 | | | | — | | | | — | |
Foreign taxes withheld on dividends | | | (69,285 | ) | | | (238,226 | ) | | | (90,900 | ) | | | (9,881 | ) | | | (759 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total income | | | 17,807,738 | | | | 31,065,185 | | | | 15,957,509 | | | | 533,131 | | | | 157,526 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investment advisory fees (Note 4) | | | 14,371,170 | | | | 31,053,553 | | | | 18,763,409 | | | | 1,404,301 | | | | 178,486 | |
Distribution fees — Retail Shares (Note 4) | | | 3,221,433 | | | | 6,483,284 | | | | 4,198,926 | | | | 303,783 | | | | 35,337 | |
Shareholder servicing agent fees and expenses — Retail Shares | | | 370,165 | | | | 543,725 | | | | 279,100 | | | | 69,335 | | | | 16,655 | |
Shareholder servicing agent fees and expenses — Institutional Shares | | | 13,353 | | | | 31,690 | | | | 18,805 | | | | 5,713 | | | | 4,758 | |
Reports to shareholders | | | 461,250 | | | | 921,000 | | | | 461,000 | | | | 69,600 | | | | 4,800 | |
Custodian fees | | | 67,526 | | | | 255,685 | | | | 114,615 | | | | 18,463 | | | | 12,928 | |
Registration and filing fees | | | 66,040 | | | | 127,280 | | | | 88,400 | | | | 31,300 | | | | 19,102 | |
Professional fees | | | 37,660 | | | | 46,040 | | | | 44,355 | | | | 20,245 | | | | 15,467 | |
Trustee fees and expenses | | | 29,705 | | | | 66,610 | | | | 39,225 | | | | 2,785 | | | | 301 | |
Insurance expense | | | 27,480 | | | | 55,770 | | | | 31,675 | | | | 2,056 | | | | 370 | |
Line of credit fees | | | 13,445 | | | | 28,938 | | | | 21,645 | | | | 2,156 | | | | 74 | |
Administration fees | | | 13,211 | | | | 13,229 | | | | 13,239 | | | | 13,242 | | | | 13,239 | |
Miscellaneous expenses | | | 1,324 | | | | 660 | | | | 1,313 | | | | 1,295 | | | | 474 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total operating expenses | | | 18,693,762 | | | | 39,627,464 | | | | 24,075,707 | | | | 1,944,274 | | | | 301,991 | |
Reimbursement of expenses by Adviser — Retail Shares (Note 4) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (42,901 | ) |
Reimbursement of expenses by Adviser — Institutional Shares (Note 4) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (15,519 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net expenses | | | 18,693,762 | | | | 39,627,464 | | | | 24,075,707 | | | | 1,944,274 | | | | 243,571 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment loss | | | (886,024 | ) | | | (8,562,279 | ) | | | (8,118,198 | ) | | | (1,411,143 | ) | | | (86,045 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net realized gain on investments sold — unaffiliated investments | | | 139,658,931 | | | | 315,693,922 | | | | 196,079,455 | | | | 18,263,795 | | | | 1,942,565 | |
Net realized gain (loss) on investments sold — “affiliated” investments | | | — | | | | 4,944,098 | | | | (7,093,396 | ) | | | — | | | | — | |
Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions | | | (238,564 | ) | | | (336,119 | ) | | | 46,888 | | | | (30,087 | ) | | | — | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments | | | 420,573,200 | | | | 1,136,585,346 | | | | 659,053,027 | | | | 37,213,290 | | | | 3,028,508 | |
Foreign currency translations | | | 89,498 | | | | 54,117 | | | | — | | | | 27,305 | | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net gain on investments | | | 560,083,065 | | | | 1,456,941,364 | | | | 848,085,974 | | | | 55,474,303 | | | | 4,971,073 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | | $ | 559,197,041 | | | $ | 1,448,379,085 | | | $ | 839,967,776 | | | $ | 54,063,160 | | | $ | 4,885,028 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
See Notes to Financial Statements. | | 25 |
| | |
Baron Funds | | March 31, 2011 |
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (UNAUDITED)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Baron Asset Fund | | | Baron Growth Fund | | | Baron Small Cap Fund | |
| | For the Six Months Ended March 31, 2011 | | | For the Year Ended September 30, 2010 | | | For the Six Months Ended March 31, 2011 | | | For the Year Ended September 30, 2010 | | | For the Six Months Ended March 31, 2011 | | | For the Year Ended September 30, 2010 | |
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operations: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment loss | | $ | (886,024 | ) | | $ | (16,233,373 | ) | | $ | (8,562,279 | ) | | $ | (42,659,922 | ) | | $ | (8,118,198 | ) | | $ | (9,032,335 | ) |
Net realized gain | | | 139,420,367 | | | | 136,058,815 | | | | 320,301,901 | | | | 304,297,845 | | | | 189,032,947 | | | | 64,475,450 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation | | | 420,662,698 | | | | 210,617,413 | | | | 1,136,639,463 | | | | 444,421,437 | | | | 659,053,027 | | | | 404,476,969 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Increase in net assets resulting from operations | | | 559,197,041 | | | | 330,442,855 | | | | 1,448,379,085 | | | | 706,059,360 | | | | 839,967,776 | | | | 459,920,084 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Distributions to shareholders from: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income — Retail Shares | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Net investment income — Institutional Shares | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Net realized gain on investments — Retail Shares | | | (36,608,080 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Net realized gain on investments — Institutional Shares | | | (4,102,537 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Decrease in net assets from distributions to shareholders | | | (40,710,617 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Capital share transactions: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from the sale of shares — Retail Shares | | | 117,693,722 | | | | 224,265,797 | | | | 452,186,929 | | | | 746,354,955 | | | | 425,437,626 | | | | 679,023,936 | |
Proceeds from the sale of shares — Institutional Shares | | | 73,713,736 | | | | 168,923,207 | | | | 418,423,710 | | | | 563,438,929 | | | | 245,738,054 | | | | 189,233,455 | |
Net asset value of shares issued in reinvestment of distributions — Retail Shares | | | 35,501,226 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Net asset value of shares issued in reinvestment of distributions — Institutional Shares | | | 3,978,079 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Cost of shares redeemed — Retail Shares | | | (412,980,531 | ) | | | (761,692,547 | ) | | | (907,668,266 | ) | | | (1,585,246,632 | ) | | | (525,904,859 | ) | | | (799,844,198 | ) |
Cost of shares redeemed — Institutional Shares | | | (30,739,819 | ) | | | (29,831,857 | ) | | | (82,462,373 | ) | | | (132,155,594 | ) | | | (45,861,294 | ) | | | (44,072,065 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions | | | (212,833,587 | ) | | | (398,335,400 | ) | | | (119,520,000 | ) | | | (407,608,342 | ) | | | 99,409,527 | | | | 24,341,128 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Increase (decrease) in net assets | | | 305,652,837 | | | | (67,892,545 | ) | | | 1,328,859,085 | | | | 298,451,018 | | | | 939,377,303 | | | | 484,261,212 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of period | | | 2,666,998,823 | | | | 2,734,891,368 | | | | 5,571,675,534 | | | | 5,273,224,516 | | | | 3,293,065,543 | | | | 2,808,804,331 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
End of period | | $ | 2,972,651,660 | | | $ | 2,666,998,823 | | | $ | 6,900,534,619 | | | $ | 5,571,675,534 | | | $ | 4,232,442,846 | | | $ | 3,293,065,543 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accumulated net investment loss at end of period | | $ | (886,163 | ) | | $ | (139 | ) | | $ | (11,800,163 | ) | | $ | (3,237,884 | ) | | $ | (8,118,431 | ) | | $ | (233 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Capital share transactions — Retail Shares | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 2,133,972 | | | | 4,780,268 | | | | 8,905,733 | | | | 17,750,705 | | | | 17,881,934 | | | | 34,762,177 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions | | | 647,714 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Shares redeemed | | | (7,494,843 | ) | | | (16,383,474 | ) | | | (18,162,699 | ) | | | (37,689,809 | ) | | | (22,158,722 | ) | | | (41,102,342 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net decrease | | | (4,713,157 | ) | | | (11,603,206 | ) | | | (9,256,966 | ) | | | (19,939,104 | ) | | | (4,276,788 | ) | | | (6,340,165 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Capital share transactions — Institutional Shares | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 1,345,544 | | | | 3,667,754 | | | | 8,379,412 | | | | 13,377,072 | | | | 10,273,986 | | | | 9,732,391 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions | | | 72,289 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Shares redeemed | | | (554,240 | ) | | | (640,409 | ) | | | (1,589,695 | ) | | | (3,120,094 | ) | | | (1,903,286 | ) | | | (2,254,943 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase | | | 863,593 | | | | 3,027,345 | | | | 6,789,717 | | | | 10,256,978 | | | | 8,370,700 | | | | 7,477,448 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
26 | | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
| | |
March 31, 2011 | | Baron Funds |
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Baron Opportunity Fund | | | Baron Fifth Avenue Growth Fund | |
| | For the Six Months Ended March 31, 2011 | | | For the Year Ended September 30, 2010 | | | For the Six Months Ended March 31, 2011 | | | For the Year Ended September 30, 2010 | |
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operations: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment loss | | $ | (1,411,143 | ) | | $ | (1,993,908 | ) | | $ | (86,045 | ) | | $ | (111,553 | ) |
Net realized gain | | | 18,233,708 | | | | 22,385,513 | | | | 1,942,565 | | | | 1,433,374 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation | | | 37,240,595 | | | | 14,971,347 | | | | 3,028,508 | | | | 1,583,629 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Increase in net assets resulting from operations | | | 54,063,160 | | | | 35,362,952 | | | | 4,885,028 | | | | 2,905,450 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Distributions to shareholders from: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income — Retail Shares | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (80,564 | ) |
Net investment income — Institutional Shares | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (56,411 | ) |
Net realized gain on investments — Retail Shares | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Net realized gain on investments — Institutional Shares | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Decrease in net assets from distributions to shareholders | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (136,975 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Capital share transactions: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from the sale of shares — Retail Shares | | | 43,080,428 | | | | 78,995,110 | | | | 1,083,324 | | | | 4,189,500 | |
Proceeds from the sale of shares — Institutional Shares | | | 17,463,789 | | | | 12,959,240 | | | | 256,786 | | | | 200,163 | |
Net asset value of shares issued in reinvestment of distributions — Retail Shares | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 78,269 | |
Net asset value of shares issued in reinvestment of distributions — Institutional Shares | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 56,029 | |
Cost of shares redeemed — Retail Shares | | | (39,439,219 | ) | | | (39,337,833 | ) | | | (5,602,855 | ) | | | (10,183,753 | ) |
Cost of shares redeemed — Institutional Shares | | | (1,183,597 | ) | | | (1,642,355 | ) | | | (299,679 | ) | | | (62,551 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions | | | 19,921,401 | | | | 50,974,162 | | | | (4,562,424 | ) | | | (5,722,343 | ) |
Redemption fees | | | — | | | | 16,915 | | | | — | | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Increase (decrease) in net assets | | | 73,984,561 | | | | 86,354,029 | | | | 322,604 | | | | (2,953,868 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of period | | | 239,976,415 | | | | 153,622,386 | | | | 39,368,433 | | | | 42,322,301 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
End of period | | $ | 313,960,976 | | | $ | 239,976,415 | | | $ | 39,691,037 | | | $ | 39,368,433 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accumulated net investment loss at end of period | | $ | (1,430,606 | ) | | $ | (19,463 | ) | | $ | (86,045 | ) | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Capital share transactions — Retail Shares | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 3,036,600 | | | | 6,745,648 | | | | 107,419 | | | | 469,269 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 9,017 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (2,723,179 | ) | | | (3,379,698 | ) | | | (570,482 | ) | | | (1,146,786 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) | | | 313,421 | | | | 3,365,950 | | | | (463,063 | ) | | | (668,500 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Capital share transactions — Institutional Shares | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 1,234,932 | | | | 1,109,542 | | | | 26,748 | | | | 22,877 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 6,463 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (79,518 | ) | | | (142,959 | ) | | | (29,170 | ) | | | (6,922 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) | | | 1,155,414 | | | | 966,583 | | | | (2,422 | ) | | | 22,418 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
See Notes to Financial Statements. | | 27 |
| | |
Baron Funds | | March 31, 2011 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
1. ORGANIZATION
Baron Investment Funds Trust (the “Trust”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company established as a Massachusetts business trust on February 19, 1987. The Trust currently offers five series (individually a “Fund” and collectively the “Funds”): Baron Asset Fund, Baron Growth Fund, Baron Small Cap Fund, Baron Opportunity Fund and Baron Fifth Avenue Growth Fund.
Each Fund offers two classes of shares, Retail Shares and Institutional Shares, which differ only in their ongoing fees, expenses and eligibility requirements. Retail Shares are offered to all investors. Institutional Shares are for investments in the amount of $1 million or more per Fund. Institutional Shares are intended for certain financial intermediaries that offer shares of Baron Funds through fee based platforms, retirement platforms or other platforms. Each class of shares has equal rights to earnings and assets except that each class bears different expenses for distribution and shareholder servicing. Investment income, realized and unrealized gains or losses on investments and foreign currency, and expenses other than those attributable to a specific class are allocated to each class based on its relative net assets. Each class of shares has exclusive voting rights with respect to matters that affect just that class.
The investment objectives of the Funds are as follows:
Baron Asset Fund seeks capital appreciation through long-term investments primarily in securities of medium-sized companies with undervalued assets or favorable growth prospects.
Baron Growth Fund seeks capital appreciation through long-term investments primarily in securities of small-sized growth companies.
Baron Small Cap Fund seeks capital appreciation through investments primarily in securities of small-sized growth companies.
Baron Opportunity Fund seeks capital appreciation through investments primarily in growth companies that benefit from technology advances.
Baron Fifth Avenue Growth Fund seeks capital appreciation through investments primarily in securities of large-sized growth companies.
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Funds. The policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the amounts of income and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Events occurring subsequent to the date of the Statements of Assets and Liabilities and through the date of the issuance of the financial statements have been evaluated for adjustment to or disclosure in the financial statements.
a) Security Valuation. The Funds’ share prices or net asset values are calculated as of the close of regular session trading (usually 4 p.m. E.T.) on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) on any day on which the NYSE is open for trading. Portfolio securities traded on any national stock exchange are valued based on the last sale price. For securities traded on NASDAQ, the Funds use the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. Where market quotations are not readily available, or, if in the Adviser’s judgment, they do not accurately reflect the fair value of a security, or an event occurs after the market close but before the Funds are priced that materially affects the value of a security, the securities will be valued by the Adviser using policies and procedures approved by the Board of Trustees (the “Board”). The Adviser has a Fair Valuation Committee (the “Committee”) comprised of senior executives and the Committee reports to the Board every quarter. Factors the Committee considers when valuing a security include whether a current price is stale, there is recent news, the security is thinly traded, transactions are infrequent or quotations are genuine. There can be no guarantee, however, that a fair valuation used by the Funds on any given day will more accurately reflect the market value of an investment than the closing price of such investment in its market. Debt instruments having a remaining maturity greater than sixty days will be valued on the basis of prices obtained from a pricing service approved by the Board or at the mean of the bid and ask prices from the dealer maintaining an active market in that security. Money market instruments held by the Funds with a remaining maturity of sixty days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.
Non-U.S. equity securities are valued on the basis of their most recent closing market prices and translated into U.S. dollars at 4 p.m. E.T., except under the circumstances described below. Most foreign markets close before 4 p.m. E.T. For securities primarily traded in the Far East, for example, the most recent closing prices may be as much as fifteen hours old at 4 p.m. E.T. If the Adviser determines that developments between the close of the foreign market and 4 p.m. E.T. will, in its judgment, materially affect the value of some or all of the Funds’ securities, the Adviser will adjust the previous closing prices to reflect what it believes to be the fair value of the securities as of 4 p.m. E.T. In deciding whether to make these adjustments, the Adviser reviews a variety of factors, including developments in foreign markets, the performance of U.S. securities markets, and the performance of instruments trading in
28
| | |
March 31, 2011 | | Baron Funds |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
U.S. markets that represent non-U.S. securities and baskets of non-U.S. securities. The Adviser may also fair value securities in other situations, for example, when a particular foreign market is closed but the Funds are open. The Adviser uses outside pricing services to provide it with closing market prices and information used for adjusting those prices. The Adviser cannot predict how often it will use closing prices or how often it will adjust those prices. As a means of evaluating its fair value process, the Adviser routinely compares closing market prices, the next day’s opening prices in the same markets, and adjusted prices. Other mutual funds may adjust the prices of their securities by different amounts.
b) Foreign Currency Translations. Values of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using the price of such currencies at the time the net asset value is determined. Purchases and sales of investments and dividend income are converted at the prevailing rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions include gain (loss) arising from the fluctuation in the exchange rates between trade and settlement dates on security transactions and currency gain (loss) between the accrual and payment dates on dividends and foreign withholding taxes. The Funds do not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments and foreign currency transactions.
c) Securities Transactions, Investment Income and Expense Allocation. Securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gain and loss from securities transactions are recorded on an identified cost basis for financial reporting and federal income tax purposes. Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date and interest income is recognized on an accrual basis which includes the accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums. Certain dividends from foreign securities will be recorded as soon as the Funds are informed of the dividend if such information is obtained subsequent to the ex-dividend date. Distributions received from certain investments held by the Funds may be comprised of dividends, realized gains and returns of capital. The Funds originally estimate the expected classification of such payments. The amounts may subsequently be reclassified upon receipt of information from the issuer. The Funds are charged for those expenses of the Trust that are directly attributable to each Fund, such as advisory and custodian fees. Expenses that are not directly attributable to a Fund are typically allocated among the Funds in proportion to their respective net assets.
d) Securities Lending. The Funds may lend securities to certain brokers. Upon such loans, the Funds receive collateral which is maintained by the custodian. The Funds earn interest on such collateral and earn income in the form of negotiated lenders’ fees, both of which are included in securities lending income in the Statements of Operations. Securities loaned are required to be secured at all times by collateral equal to at least 102% of the market value of the securities loaned. Risks may arise upon entering into securities lending to the extent that the value of the collateral is less than the value of the securities loaned due to the changes in the value of collateral or the loaned securities. The Funds may receive collateral in the form of cash or other eligible securities, such as a letter of credit issued by a U.S. bank or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government. Securities purchased with cash collateral are subject to the risks inherent in investing in these securities.
At March 31, 2011, Baron Small Cap Fund had securities on loan with a value of $13,840,000 and held $14,000,000 of short-term investments as collateral for these loans. For the six months ended March 31, 2011, Baron Small Cap Fund had securities lending income of $1,627,226 which is included in the Statements of Operations.
e) Repurchase Agreements. The Funds may invest in repurchase agreements, which are short-term investments whereby the Funds acquire ownership of a debt security and the seller agrees to repurchase the security at a future date at a specified price. When entering into repurchase agreements, it is the Funds’ policy that their custodian or a third party custodian take possession of the underlying collateral securities, the market value of which, at all times, equals at least 105% of the principal amount of the repurchase transaction. To the extent that any repurchase transaction exceeds one business day, the value of the collateral is marked-to-market to ensure the adequacy of the collateral. If the seller defaults and the market value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security, realization of the collateral by the Funds may be delayed or limited.
f) Federal and Foreign Income Taxes. The Trust treats each Fund as a separate entity for federal income tax purposes. Each Fund intends to meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute to its shareholders substantially all of its net investment income and any net realized capital gains at least annually.
The Funds may be subject to foreign taxes on income and gains on investments that are accrued based upon the Funds’ understanding of the tax rules and regulations that exist in the countries in which the Funds invest. Foreign governments may also impose taxes or other payments on investments with respect to foreign securities. Such taxes are accrued as applicable.
g) Restricted Securities. The Funds may invest in securities which are restricted as to public sale in accordance with the Securities Act of 1933. Such assets are valued by the Adviser pursuant to policies and procedures approved by the Board.
29
| | |
Baron Funds | | March 31, 2011 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
h) Distributions to Shareholders. Income and capital gain distributions to shareholders are determined in accordance with income tax regulations which may differ from GAAP. These differences are primarily due to differing treatments for net investment loss, foreign currency gains and losses, partnership basis adjustments and wash sale losses deferred.
i) Commitments and Contingencies. In the normal course of business, the Funds may enter into contracts and agreements that contain a variety of representations and warranties, which provide general indemnification. The maximum exposure to the Funds under these agreements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Funds that have not yet occurred. However, based on experience, the Funds expect the risk of loss to be remote.
j) Cash and Cash Equivalents. The Funds consider all short term liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
3. PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES
Purchases and sales of securities, other than short term securities, for the six months ended March 31, 2011 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
Fund | | Purchases | | | Sales | |
Baron Asset Fund | | $ | 305,186,366 | | | $ | 558,298,394 | |
Baron Growth Fund | | | 396,731,263 | | | | 721,319,120 | |
Baron Small Cap Fund | | | 633,461,220 | | | | 583,754,839 | |
Baron Opportunity Fund | | | 89,943,143 | | | | 70,429,406 | |
Baron Fifth Avenue Growth Fund | | | 15,107,018 | | | | 19,186,822 | |
4. INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEES AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
a) Investment Advisory Fees. BAMCO, Inc. (the “Adviser”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Baron Capital Group, Inc. (“BCG”), serves as investment adviser to the Funds. As compensation for services rendered, the Adviser receives a fee payable monthly from Baron Asset Fund, Baron Growth Fund, Baron Small Cap Fund and Baron Opportunity Fund equal to 1% per annum of the average daily net assets of the respective Funds. The Adviser receives a fee payable monthly from Baron Fifth Avenue Growth Fund equal to 0.90% per annum for daily net assets under $1 billion, 0.85% per annum for daily net assets greater than $1 billion but less than $2 billion and 0.80% per annum for daily net assets greater than $2 billion. For Baron Opportunity Fund and Baron Fifth Avenue Growth Fund, the Adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its fee, until January 28, 2012, to the extent required to limit the net operating expense ratio (excluding portfolio transaction costs, interest and extraordinary expenses) to 1.50% and 1.30% of average daily net assets of the Retail Shares, and 1.25% and 1.05% of average daily net assets of the Institutional Shares, respectively.
b) Distribution Fees. Baron Capital, Inc. (“BCI”), a wholly owned subsidiary of BCG, is a registered broker-dealer and the distributor of the Retail Shares pursuant to a distribution plan under Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. The distribution plan authorizes the Funds to pay BCI a distribution fee payable monthly equal to 0.25% per annum of the Retail Shares’ average daily net assets of the respective Funds.
c) Trustee Fees. Certain Trustees of the Trust may be deemed to be affiliated with, or interested persons (as defined by the 1940 Act) of the Funds’ Adviser or of BCI. None of the Trustees so affiliated received compensation for his or her services as a Trustee of the Trust. None of the Funds’ officers received compensation from the Funds in that capacity.
d) Fund Accounting and Administration Fees. The Funds have entered into an agreement with State Street Bank and Trust Company (the “Custodian”) to perform accounting and certain administrative services. The Custodian is compensated for fund accounting services based on a percentage of the Funds’ net assets, subject to certain minimums plus fixed annual fees for the administrative services.
5. LINE OF CREDIT
The Funds participate in a committed line of credit agreement with the Custodian to be used for temporary purposes, primarily for financing redemptions. Each Fund may borrow up to the lesser of $100 million or the maximum amount each Fund may borrow under the 1940 Act, the limitations included in each Fund’s prospectus, or any limit or restriction under any law or regulation to which each Fund is subject or any agreement to which each Fund is a party; provided that the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all loans to any of the Funds may not exceed $100 million. Interest is charged to each Fund, based on its borrowings, at a rate per annum equal to the higher of the Federal Funds Rate or the Overnight Libor Rate plus a margin of 1.00%. A commitment fee of 0.12% per annum is incurred on the unused portion of the line of credit and is allocated to the participating Funds. During the six months ended March 31, 2011, there were no loans outstanding under the line of credit.
30
| | |
March 31, 2011 | | Baron Funds |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
6. RESTRICTED SECURITIES
At March 31, 2011, investments in securities included securities that are restricted and/or illiquid. Restricted securities are often purchased in private placement transactions, are not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, may have contractual restrictions on resale and are valued pursuant to the policies and procedures for fair value pricing approved by the Board. A security may be considered illiquid if it lacks a readily available market or if its valuation has not changed for a certain period of time. The Funds may receive more or less than this valuation in an actual sale and that difference could be material. At March 31, 2011, the Funds held investments in restricted and/or illiquid securities that were valued pursuant to policies and procedures for fair value pricing as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Baron Asset Fund | |
Name of Issuer | | Acquisition Date | | | Value | |
Private Equity Investments | | | | | | | | |
Kerzner International Holdings, Ltd., Cl A | | | 09/27/06 | | | $ | 10,400,000 | |
Windy City Investments Holdings LLC | | | 11/13/07 | | | | 25,085,533 | |
Windy City Investments Holdings LLC | | | 01/27/11 | | | | 1,910,891 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Restricted Securities: | |
(Cost $86,581,904) (1.26% of Net Assets) | | | | | | $ | 37,396,424 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | Baron Growth Fund | |
Name of Issuer | | Acquisition Date | | | Value | |
Private Equity Investments | | | | | | | | |
Kerzner International Holdings, Ltd., Cl A | | | 09/27/06 | | | $ | 14,800,000 | |
Windy City Investments Holdings LLC | | | 11/13/07 | | | | 8,443,967 | |
Windy City Investments Holdings LLC | | | 01/27/11 | | | | 643,217 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Restricted Securities: | |
(Cost $82,630,998) (0.35% of Net Assets) | | | | | | $ | 23,887,184 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | Baron Small Cap Fund | |
Name of Issuer | | Acquisition Date | | | Value | |
Common Stocks | | | | | | | | |
PAA Natural Gas Storage LP | | | 02/08/11 | | | $ | 23,441,842 | |
Vitacost.com, Inc. | | | 09/23/09 | | | | 7,951,500 | |
Private Equity Investments | | | | | | | | |
Kerzner International Holdings, Ltd., Cl A | | | 09/27/06 | | | | 7,000,000 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Restricted Securities: | |
(Cost $80,159,035) (0.91% of Net Assets) | | | | | | $ | 38,393,342 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | Baron Opportunity Fund | |
Name of Issuer | | Acquisition Date | | | Value | |
Common Stocks | | | | | | | | |
Vitacost.com, Inc. | | | 09/23/09 | | | $ | 1,453,500 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Restricted Securities: | |
(Cost $4,243,836) (0.46% of Net Assets) | | | | | | $ | 1,453,500 | |
| | | | | | | | |
31
| | |
Baron Funds | | March 31, 2011 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
7. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Fair value is defined by GAAP as the price that the Funds would receive upon selling an investment in a timely transaction to an independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market for the investment. GAAP provides a three-tier hierarchy to maximize the use of observable market data and minimize the use of unobservable inputs and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs are based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Funds. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the Funds’ own assumptions based on the best information available in the circumstances. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized in the three broad Levels listed below.
| • | | Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; |
| • | | Level 2 — prices determined using other significant inputs that are observable either directly, or indirectly through corroboration with observable market data (which could include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, interest rates, credit risk, etc.); |
| • | | Level 3 — prices determined using significant unobservable inputs when quoted prices or observable inputs are unavailable such as when there is little or no market activity for an asset or liability (unobservable inputs reflect each Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of assets or liabilities and would be based on the best information available). |
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. For example, non-U.S. securities, whose markets close hours before the Funds value their holdings, may require revised valuations due to significant movement in the U.S. markets. Since these values are not obtained from quoted prices in an active market such securities are reflected as Level 2.
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of March 31, 2011 in valuing the Funds’ investments carried at fair value:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Baron Asset Fund | |
Description | | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | | | Other Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) | | | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | | | Total | |
Common Stocks† | | $ | 2,896,802,034 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 2,896,802,034 | |
Private Equity Investments† | | | — | | | | — | | | | 37,396,424 | | | | 37,396,424 | |
Short Term Investments | | | — | | | | 26,780,086 | | | | — | | | | 26,780,086 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Investments | | $ | 2,896,802,034 | | | $ | 26,780,086 | | | $ | 37,396,424 | | | $ | 2,960,978,544 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Baron Growth Fund | |
Description | | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | | | Other Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) | | | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | | | Total | |
Common Stocks† | | $ | 6,640,216,127 | | | $ | 24,750,000 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 6,664,966,127 | |
Private Equity Investments† | | | — | | | | — | | | | 23,887,184 | | | | 23,887,184 | |
Warrants | | | — | | | | 489,187 | | | | — | | | | 489,187 | |
Short Term Investments | | | — | | | | 186,957,745 | | | | — | | | | 186,957,745 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Investments | | $ | 6,640,216,127 | | | $ | 212,196,932 | | | $ | 23,887,184 | | | $ | 6,876,300,243 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
† | See Statements of Net Assets for additional detailed categorizations. |
32
| | |
March 31, 2011 | | Baron Funds |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
7. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Baron Small Cap Fund | |
Description | | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | | | Other Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) | | | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | | | Total | |
Common Stocks† | | $ | 4,011,020,218 | | | $ | 56,143,342 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 4,067,163,560 | |
Private Equity Investments† | | | — | | | | — | | | | 7,000,000 | | | | 7,000,000 | |
Warrants | | | — | | | | 489,188 | | | | — | | | | 489,188 | |
Short Term Investments | | | — | | | | 161,367,970 | | | | — | | | | 161,367,970 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Investments | | $ | 4,011,020,218 | | | $ | 218,000,500 | | | $ | 7,000,000 | | | $ | 4,236,020,718 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Baron Opportunity Fund | |
Description | | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | | | Other Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) | | | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | | | Total | |
Common Stocks† | | $ | 299,940,236 | | | $ | 1,453,500 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 301,393,736 | |
Short Term Investments | | | — | | | | 12,555,053 | | | | — | | | | 12,555,053 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Investments | | $ | 299,940,236 | | | $ | 14,008,553 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 313,948,789 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Baron Fifth Avenue Growth Fund | |
Description | | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | | | Other Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) | | | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | | | Total | |
Common Stocks† | | $ | 39,388,364 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 39,388,364 | |
Short Term Investments | | | — | | | | 409,150 | | | | — | | | | 409,150 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Investments | | $ | 39,388,364 | | | $ | 409,150 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 39,797,514 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
† | See Statements of Net Assets for additional detailed categorizations. |
The following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Baron Asset Fund | |
Investments in Securities | | Balance as of September 30, 2010 | | | Accrued Premiums/ Discounts | | | Net Realized Gain (Loss) | | | Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | | | Purchases | | | Sales | | | Transfers Into Level 3 | | | Transfers Out of Level 3 | | | Balance as of March 31, 2011 | | | Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) from Investments still held at March 31, 2011 | |
Private Equity Investments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Consumer Discretionary | | $ | 15,600,000 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | (5,200,000 | ) | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 10,400,000 | | | $ | (5,200,000 | ) |
Financials | | | 21,280,013 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 3,095,217 | | | | 2,621,194 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 26,996,424 | | | | 3,095,217 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 36,880,013 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | (2,104,783 | ) | | | 2,621,194 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 37,396,424 | | | $ | (2,104,783 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
33
| | |
Baron Funds | | March 31, 2011 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
7. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Baron Growth Fund | |
Investments in Securities | | Balance as of September 30, 2010 | | | Accrued Premiums/ Discounts | | | Net Realized Gain (Loss) | | | Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | | | Purchases | | | Sales | | | Transfers Into Level 3 | | | Transfers Out of Level 3 | | | Balance as of March 31, 2011 | | | Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) from Investments still held at March 31, 2011 | |
Private Equity Investments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Consumer Discretionary | | $ | 22,200,000 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | (7,400,000 | ) | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 14,800,000 | | | $ | (7,400,000 | ) |
Financials | | | 7,163,000 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 1,041,872 | | | | 882,312 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 9,087,184 | | | | 1,041,872 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 29,363,000 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | (6,358,128 | ) | | $ | 882,312 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 23,887,184 | | | $ | (6,358,128 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Baron Small Cap Fund | |
Investments in Securities | | Balance as of September 30, 2010 | | | Accrued Premiums/ Discounts | | | Net Realized Gain (Loss) | | | Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | | | Purchases | | | Sales | | | Transfers Into Level 3 | | | Transfers Out of Level 3 | | | Balance as of March 31, 2011 | | | Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) from Investments still held at March 31, 2011 | |
Private Equity Investments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Consumer Discretionary | | $ | 10,500,000 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | (3,500,000 | ) | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 7,000,000 | | | $ | (3,500,000 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
8. INCOME TAXES AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS
Federal income tax regulations differ from GAAP. Therefore, distributions determined in accordance with tax regulations may differ in amount or character from net investment income and net realized gain for financial reporting purposes. Net investment income (loss) and net realized and unrealized gain (loss) differ for financial statement and tax purposes due to differing treatments of wash sale losses deferred, foreign currency gains and losses, partnership basis adjustments, and net investment loss. Financial reporting records are adjusted for permanent book/tax differences to reflect tax character. Financial records are not adjusted for temporary differences.
As of March 31, 2011, the components of net assets on a tax basis were substantially as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Baron Asset Fund | | | Baron Growth Fund | | | Baron Small Cap Fund | | | Baron Opportunity Fund | | | Baron Fifth Avenue Growth Fund | |
Cost of investments | | $ | 1,627,190,836 | | | $ | 3,788,453,209 | | | $ | 2,734,006,581 | | | $ | 228,421,696 | | | $ | 30,242,355 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gross tax unrealized appreciation | | | 1,399,300,854 | | | | 3,158,316,575 | | | | 1,638,674,380 | | | | 91,740,491 | | | | 9,599,969 | |
Gross tax unrealized depreciation | | | (65,424,292 | ) | | | (70,449,434 | ) | | | (136,660,243 | ) | | | (6,189,294 | ) | | | (44,810 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net tax unrealized appreciation | | | 1,333,876,562 | | | | 3,087,867,141 | | | | 1,502,014,137 | | | | 85,551,197 | | | | 9,555,159 | |
Accumulated net investment loss | | | (886,163 | ) | | | (11,800,163 | ) | | | (8,118,431 | ) | | | (1,430,606 | ) | | | (86,045 | ) |
Accumulated net realized gain (loss) | | | 118,877,680 | | | | (328,747,546 | ) | | | (43,118,751 | ) | | | (15,030,570 | ) | | | (4,884,340 | ) |
Paid-in capital | | | 1,520,783,581 | | | | 4,153,215,187 | | | | 2,781,665,891 | | | | 244,870,955 | | | | 35,106,263 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets | | $ | 2,972,651,660 | | | $ | 6,900,534,619 | | | $ | 4,232,442,846 | | | $ | 313,960,976 | | | $ | 39,691,037 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
34
| | |
March 31, 2011 | | Baron Funds |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
8. INCOME TAXES AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS (Continued)
As of September 30, 2010, the Funds had capital loss carryforwards expiring as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Baron Asset Fund | | | Baron Growth Fund | | | Baron Small Cap Fund | | | Baron Opportunity Fund | | | Baron Fifth Avenue Growth Fund | |
September 30, 2011 | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 19,968,339 | | | $ | — | |
September 30, 2017 | | | — | | | | 343,959,998 | | | | 64,973,001 | | | | 11,961,799 | | | | 924,163 | |
September 30, 2018 | | | — | | | | 294,810,141 | | | | 159,601,005 | | | | — | | | | 5,738,465 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | — | | | $ | 638,770,139 | | | $ | 224,574,006 | | | $ | 31,930,138 | | | $ | 6,662,628 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The tax character of distributions paid during the six months ended March 31, 2011 and the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010 was as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended March 31, 2011 | | | Year Ended September 30, 2010 | |
Fund | | Ordinary1 | | | Long Term Capital Gain | | | Ordinary1 | | | Long Term Capital Gain | |
Baron Asset Fund | | $ | — | | | $ | 40,710,617 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
Baron Growth Fund | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Baron Small Cap Fund | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Baron Opportunity Fund | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Baron Fifth Avenue Growth Fund | | | — | | | | — | | | | 136,975 | | | | — | |
1 | For tax purposes, short-term capital gains are considered ordinary income distributions. |
The Funds follow the provisions of the FASB Codification Section 740 (“ASC Section 740”) “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return. ASC Section 740 sets forth a threshold for financial statement recognition, measurement and disclosure of tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return. The Funds are required to recognize the tax effects of certain tax positions under a “more likely than not” standard, that based on their technical merits, have more than 50 percent likelihood of being sustained upon examination. Management has analyzed the tax positions taken on the Funds’ federal income tax returns for all open years (current and prior three years), and has concluded that no provision for federal income tax is required in the Funds’ financial statements. At March 31, 2011, the Funds did not have any unrecognized tax benefits. The Funds’ federal, state and local income and federal excise tax returns for which the applicable statutes of limitations have not expired are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state departments of revenue.
On December 22, 2010, the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “Act”) was enacted. The Act modernizes several of the federal income and excise tax provisions related to regulated investment companies, and with certain exceptions, is effective for taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010. New capital losses may now be carried forward indefinitely. Rules in effect prior to December 22, 2010 limited the carryforward period to eight years. Post-enactment capital loss carryforwards must be fully used before capital loss carryforwards generated prior to the enactment of the Act. As a result of this ordering rule, pre-enactment capital loss carryforwards may have an increased likelihood to expire unused. Additionally, post-enactment capital losses that are carried forward will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than all short-term as under previous rules.
35
| | |
Baron Funds | | March 31, 2011 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
9. TRANSACTIONS IN “AFFILIATED” COMPANIES1
BARON ASSET FUND
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Name of Issuer | | Balance of Shares Held on September 30, 2010 | | | Gross Purchases and Additions | | | Gross Sales and Reductions | | | Balance of Shares Held on March 31, 2011 | | | Fair Value March 31, 2011 | | | Dividend Income October 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011 | |
Vail Resorts, Inc.2 | | | 1,799,200 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 1,799,200 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investments in “affiliated” companies (0.00% of Net Assets) | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
BARON GROWTH FUND
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Name of Issuer | | Balance of Shares Held on September 30, 2010 | | | Gross Purchases and Additions | | | Gross Sales and Reductions | | | Balance of Shares Held on March 31, 2011 | | | Fair Value March 31, 2011 | | | Dividend Income October 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011 | |
AMERIGROUP Corp. | | | 2,625,000 | | | | — | | | | 125,000 | | | | 2,500,000 | | | $ | 160,625,000 | | | $ | — | |
Blue Nile, Inc. | | | 1,105,000 | | | | — | | | | 105,000 | | | | 1,000,000 | | | | 53,990,000 | | | | — | |
Choice Hotels International, Inc. | | | 3,000,000 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 3,000,000 | | | | 116,550,000 | | | | 1,110,000 | |
DeVry, Inc. | | | 3,625,000 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 3,625,000 | | | | 199,628,750 | | | | 435,000 | |
Peet’s Coffee & Tea, Inc. | | | 800,000 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 800,000 | | | | 38,472,000 | | | | — | |
Strayer Education, Inc. | | | 675,000 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 675,000 | | | | 88,080,750 | | | | 1,350,000 | |
Vail Resorts, Inc. | | | 1,900,000 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 1,900,000 | | | | 92,644,000 | | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investments in “affiliated” companies (10.87% of Net Assets) | | | $ | 749,990,500 | | | $ | 2,895,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
BARON SMALL CAP FUND
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Name of Issuer | | Balance of Shares Held on September 30, 2010 | | | Gross Purchases and Additions | | | Gross Sales and Reductions | | | Balance of Shares Held on March 31, 2011 | | | Fair Value March 31, 2011 | | | Dividend Income October 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011 | |
Bravo Brio Restaurant Group, Inc. | | | — | | | | 1,750,000 | | | | — | | | | 1,750,000 | | | $ | 30,957,500 | | | $ | — | |
Campus Crest Communities, Inc. | | | — | | | | 2,000,000 | | | | — | | | | 2,000,000 | | | | 23,660,000 | | | | 254,000 | |
Chesapeake Lodging Trust | | | 901,862 | | | | 1,274,200 | | | | 176,062 | | | | 2,000,000 | | | | 34,820,000 | | | | 920,855 | |
Coresite Realty Corp. | | | 1,051,974 | | | | 157,762 | | | | 1,209,736 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Great Wolf Resorts, Inc. | | | 3,060,000 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 3,060,000 | | | | 6,456,600 | | | | — | |
Huron Consulting Group, Inc. | | | 1,250,000 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 1,250,000 | | | | 34,612,500 | | | | — | |
Iconix Brand Group, Inc. | | | 3,900,000 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 3,900,000 | | | | 83,772,000 | | | | — | |
KEYW Holding Corp. | | | — | | | | 2,000,000 | | | | — | | | | 2,000,000 | | | | 24,560,000 | | | | — | |
Mistras Group, Inc. | | | 1,750,000 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 1,750,000 | | | | 30,117,500 | | | | — | |
Orion Marine Group, Inc. | | | 1,400,000 | | | | — | | | | 1,400,000 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Prime Water Corp. | | | — | | | | 1,037,000 | | | | — | | | | 1,037,000 | | | | 12,703,250 | | | | — | |
Vitacost.com, Inc. | | | 2,325,000 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 2,325,000 | | | | 7,951,500 | | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investments in “affiliated” companies (6.84% of Net Assets) | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 289,610,850 | | | $ | 1,174,855 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
1 | An “Affiliated” Company, as defined in the 1940 Act, is a company in which a Fund held 5% or more of the company’s outstanding voting securities at any time during the six month ended March 31, 2011. |
2 | As of March 31, 2011, no longer an affiliate. |
36
| | |
March 31, 2011 | | Baron Funds |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (UNAUDITED)
BARON ASSET FUND
Selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | RETAIL SHARES | | | INSTITUTIONAL SHARES | |
| | Six Months Ended March 31, 2011 | | | Year Ended September 30, | | | Six Months Ended March 31, 2011 | | | Year Ended September 30, | |
| | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | 2005 | | | 2004 | | | 2003 | | | 2002 | | | | 2010 | | | 20093 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $ | 49.27 | | | $ | 43.62 | | | $ | 52.12 | | | $ | 66.57 | | | $ | 60.08 | | | $ | 56.52 | | | $ | 47.89 | | | $ | 40.05 | | | $ | 35.65 | | | $ | 40.22 | | | $ | 49.43 | | | $ | 43.65 | | | $ | 37.38 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from investment operations: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) | | | (0.02 | )1 | | | (0.28 | )1 | | | (0.20 | )1 | | | (0.29 | )1 | | | (0.10 | )1 | | | (0.27 | ) | | | (0.46 | ) | | | (0.43 | ) | | | (0.46 | ) | | | (0.55 | ) | | | 0.05 | 1 | | | (0.15 | )1 | | | (0.05 | )1 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | | | 10.63 | | | | 5.93 | | | | (5.68 | ) | | | (12.08 | ) | | | 11.27 | | | | 6.64 | | | | 12.08 | | | | 8.27 | | | | 6.04 | | | | 0.05 | | | | 10.67 | | | | 5.93 | | | | 6.32 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total from investment operations | | | 10.61 | | | | 5.65 | | | | (5.88 | ) | | | (12.37 | ) | | | 11.17 | | | | 6.37 | | | | 11.62 | | | | 7.84 | | | | 5.58 | | | | (0.50 | ) | | | 10.72 | | | | 5.78 | | | | 6.27 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less distributions to shareholders from: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | |
Net realized gain on investments | | | (0.77 | ) | | | 0.00 | | | | (2.62 | ) | | | (2.08 | ) | | | (4.68 | ) | | | (2.81 | ) | | | (2.99 | ) | | | 0.00 | | | | (1.18 | ) | | | (4.07 | ) | | | (0.77 | ) | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total distributions | | | (0.77 | ) | | | 0.00 | | | | (2.62 | ) | | | (2.08 | ) | | | (4.68 | ) | | | (2.81 | ) | | | (2.99 | ) | | | 0.00 | | | | (1.18 | ) | | | (4.07 | ) | | | (0.77 | ) | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $ | 59.11 | | | $ | 49.27 | | | $ | 43.62 | | | $ | 52.12 | | | $ | 66.57 | | | $ | 60.08 | | | $ | 56.52 | | | $ | 47.89 | | | $ | 40.05 | | | $ | 35.65 | | | $ | 59.38 | | | $ | 49.43 | | | $ | 43.65 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total return | | | 21.64 | %4 | | | 12.95 | % | | | (9.88 | )% | | | (19.14 | )% | | | 19.56 | % | | | 11.54 | % | | | 25.21 | % | | | 19.58 | % | | | 16.11 | % | | | (2.54 | )% | | | 21.81 | %4 | | | 13.24 | % | | | 16.77 | %4 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/ Supplemental data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets (in millions), end of period | | $ | 2,629.7 | | | $ | 2,424.2 | | | $ | 2,652.6 | | | $ | 3,311.8 | | | $ | 4,468.0 | | | $ | 3,365.6 | | | $ | 2,687.4 | | | $ | 2,002.4 | | | $ | 1,957.2 | | | $ | 2,055.2 | | | $ | 343.0 | | | $ | 242.8 | | | $ | 82.3 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets | | | 1.33 | %5 | | | 1.32 | % | | | 1.36 | %2 | | | 1.33 | %2 | | | 1.34 | %2 | | | 1.33 | % | | | 1.34 | % | | | 1.34 | % | | | 1.34 | % | | | 1.35 | % | | | 1.06 | %5 | | | 1.06 | % | | | 1.16 | %5 |
Less: Ratio of interest expense to average net assets | | | 0.00 | % | | | 0.00 | % | | | 0.00 | % | | | 0.00 | % | | | 0.00 | % | | | 0.00 | % | | | 0.00 | % | | | 0.00 | % | | | 0.00 | % | | | (0.02 | )% | | | 0.00 | % | | | 0.00 | % | | | 0.00 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets | | | 1.33 | %5 | | | 1.32 | % | | | 1.36 | % | | | 1.33 | % | | | 1.34 | % | | | 1.33 | % | | | 1.34 | % | | | 1.34 | % | | | 1.34 | % | | | 1.33 | % | | | 1.06 | %5 | | | 1.06 | % | | | 1.16 | %5 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets | | | (0.09 | )%5 | | | (0.61 | )% | | | (0.54 | )% | | | (0.49 | )% | | | (0.17 | )% | | | (0.49 | )% | | | (0.91 | )% | | | (0.90 | )% | | | (1.14 | )% | | | (1.16 | )% | | | 0.17 | %5 | | | (0.33 | )% | | | (0.39 | )%5 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Portfolio turnover rate | | | 10.79 | %4 | | | 13.04 | % | | | 14.67 | % | | | 16.02 | % | | | 13.39 | % | | | 21.87 | % | | | 11.47 | % | | | 19.57 | % | | | 27.95 | % | | | 6.01 | % | | | 10.79 | %4 | | | 13.04 | % | | | 14.67 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
1 | Based on average shares outstanding. |
2 | Benefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%. |
3 | For the period May 29, 2009 (Commencement of Operations) to September 30, 2009. |
| | |
See Notes to Financial Statements. | | 37 |
| | |
Baron Funds | | March 31, 2011 |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
BARON GROWTH FUND
Selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | RETAIL SHARES | | | INSTITUTIONAL SHARES | |
| | Six Months Ended March 31, 2011 | | | Year Ended September 30, | | | Six Months Ended March 31, 2011 | | | Year Ended September 30, | |
| | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | 2005 | | | 2004 | | | 2003 | | | 2002 | | | | 2010 | | | 20093 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $ | 44.37 | | | $ | 39.00 | | | $ | 41.69 | | | $ | 54.55 | | | $ | 47.23 | | | $ | 45.96 | | | $ | 38.92 | | | $ | 32.65 | | | $ | 26.96 | | | $ | 27.18 | | | $ | 44.52 | | | $ | 39.03 | | | $ | 33.71 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from investment operations: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment loss | | | (0.08 | )1 | | | (0.34 | )1 | | | (0.18 | )1 | | | (0.28 | )1 | | | (0.25 | )1 | | | (0.29 | ) | | | (0.29 | ) | | | (0.30 | ) | | | (0.25 | ) | | | (0.23 | ) | | | (0.02 | )1 | | | (0.22 | )1 | | | (0.04 | )1 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | | | 11.74 | | | | 5.71 | | | | (2.47 | ) | | | (10.07 | ) | | | 10.11 | | | | 3.61 | | | | 7.33 | | | | 6.57 | | | | 5.94 | | | | 1.65 | | | | 11.79 | | | | 5.71 | | | | 5.36 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total from investment operations | | | 11.66 | | | | 5.37 | | | | (2.65 | ) | | | (10.35 | ) | | | 9.86 | | | | 3.32 | | | | 7.04 | | | | 6.27 | | | | 5.69 | | | | 1.42 | | | | 11.77 | | | | 5.49 | | | | 5.32 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less distributions to shareholders from: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | |
Net realized gain on investments | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | (0.04 | ) | | | (2.51 | ) | | | (2.54 | ) | | | (2.05 | ) | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | (1.64 | ) | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total distributions | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | (0.04 | ) | | | (2.51 | ) | | | (2.54 | ) | | | (2.05 | ) | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | (1.64 | ) | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $ | 56.03 | | | $ | 44.37 | | | $ | 39.00 | | | $ | 41.69 | | | $ | 54.55 | | | $ | 47.23 | | | $ | 45.96 | | | $ | 38.92 | | | $ | 32.65 | | | $ | 26.96 | | | $ | 56.29 | | | $ | 44.52 | | | $ | 39.03 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total return | | | 26.28 | %4 | | | 13.77 | % | | | (6.34 | )% | | | (19.78 | )% | | | 21.41 | % | | | 7.36 | % | | | 18.09 | % | | | 19.20 | % | | | 21.11 | % | | | 5.02 | % | | | 26.44 | %4 | | | 14.07 | % | | | 15.78 | %4 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets (in millions), end of period | | $ | 5,596.7 | | | $ | 4,842.8 | | | $ | 5,034.5 | | | $ | 5,615.0 | | | $ | 7,075.9 | | | $ | 5,315.8 | | | $ | 5,005.1 | | | $ | 3,135.6 | | | $ | 2,185.4 | | | $ | 1,030.3 | | | $ | 1,303.8 | | | $ | 728.9 | | | $ | 238.7 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets | | | 1.32 | %5 | | | 1.32 | % | | | 1.35 | %2 | | | 1.32 | %2 | | | 1.31 | %2 | | | 1.31 | % | | | 1.31 | % | | | 1.33 | % | | | 1.36 | % | | | 1.35 | % | | | 1.06 | %5 | | | 1.06 | % | | | 1.13 | %5 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets | | | (0.32 | )%5 | | | (0.80 | )% | | | (0.56 | )% | | | (0.59 | )% | | | (0.49 | )% | | | (0.61 | )% | | | (0.73 | )% | | | (0.89 | )% | | | (1.11 | )% | | | (1.02 | )% | | | (0.07 | )%5 | | | (0.53 | )% | | | (0.29 | )%5 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Portfolio turnover rate | | | 6.55 | %4 | | | 16.12 | % | | | 26.65 | % | | | 25.97 | % | | | 21.37 | % | | | 21.27 | % | | | 15.50 | % | | | 27.15 | % | | | 32.63 | % | | | 18.31 | % | | | 6.55 | %4 | | | 16.12 | % | | | 26.65 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
1 | Based on average shares outstanding. |
2 | Benefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%. |
3 | For the period May 29, 2009 (Commencement of Operations) to September 30, 2009. |
| | |
38 | | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
| | |
March 31, 2011 | | Baron Funds |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
BARON SMALL CAP FUND
Selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | RETAIL SHARES | | | INSTITUTIONAL SHARES | |
| | Six Months Ended March 31, 2011 | | | Year Ended September 30, | | | Six Months Ended March 31, 2011 | | | Year Ended September 30, | |
| | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | 2005 | | | 2004 | | | 2003 | | | 2002 | | | | 2010 | | | 20094 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $ | 20.90 | | | $ | 17.96 | | | $ | 18.70 | | | $ | 25.47 | | | $ | 23.59 | | | $ | 23.08 | | | $ | 19.18 | | | $ | 17.26 | | | $ | 13.73 | | | $ | 12.69 | | | $ | 20.97 | | | $ | 17.97 | | | $ | 15.52 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from investment operations: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment loss | | | (0.05 | )1 | | | (0.06 | )1 | | | (0.13 | )1 | | | (0.09 | )1 | | | (0.02 | )1 | | | (0.18 | ) | | | (0.10 | ) | | | (0.15 | ) | | | (0.11 | ) | | | (0.14 | ) | | | (0.03 | )1 | | | (0.03 | )1 | | | (0.04 | )1 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | | | 5.32 | | | | 3.00 | | | | (0.61 | ) | | | (5.01 | ) | | | 4.96 | | | | 1.43 | | | | 4.55 | | | | 2.07 | | | | 4.02 | | | | 1.18 | | | | 5.35 | | | | 3.03 | | | | 2.49 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total from investment operations | | | 5.27 | | | | 2.94 | | | | (0.74 | ) | | | (5.10 | ) | | | 4.94 | | | | 1.25 | | | | 4.45 | | | | 1.92 | | | | 3.91 | | | | 1.04 | | | | 5.32 | | | | 3.00 | | | | 2.45 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less distributions to shareholders from: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | |
Net realized gain on investments | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | (0.00 | )2 | | | (1.67 | ) | | | (3.06 | ) | | | (0.74 | ) | | | (0.55 | ) | | | 0.00 | | | | (0.38 | ) | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total distributions | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | (0.00 | ) | | | (1.67 | ) | | | (3.06 | ) | | | (0.74 | ) | | | (0.55 | ) | | | 0.00 | | | | (0.38 | ) | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $ | 26.17 | | | $ | 20.90 | | | $ | 17.96 | | | $ | 18.70 | | | $ | 25.47 | | | $ | 23.59 | | | $ | 23.08 | | | $ | 19.18 | | | $ | 17.26 | | | $ | 13.73 | | | $ | 26.29 | | | $ | 20.97 | | | $ | 17.97 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total return | | | 25.22 | %5 | | | 16.37 | % | | | (3.95 | )% | | | (21.44 | )% | | | 22.54 | % | | | 5.52 | % | | | 23.56 | % | | | 11.12 | % | | | 29.20 | % | | | 8.20 | % | | | 25.37 | % | | | 16.69 | % | | | 15.79 | %5 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets (in millions), end of period | | $ | 3,685.0 | | | $ | 3,032.0 | | | $ | 2,719.4 | | | $ | 2,871.6 | | | $ | 3,522.4 | | | $ | 2,921.7 | | | $ | 2,828.6 | | | $ | 1,782.1 | | | $ | 1,210.5 | | | $ | 719.1 | | | $ | 547.4 | | | $ | 261.1 | | | $ | 89.4 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets | | | 1.31 | %6 | | | 1.31 | % | | | 1.34 | %3 | | | 1.32 | %3 | | | 1.31 | %3 | | | 1.33 | % | | | 1.33 | % | | | 1.33 | % | | | 1.36 | % | | | 1.36 | % | | | 1.06 | %6 | | | 1.06 | % | | | 1.16 | %6 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets | | | (0.45 | )%6 | | | (0.30 | )% | | | (0.86 | )% | | | (0.42 | )% | | | (0.09 | )% | | | (0.73 | )% | | | (0.48 | )% | | | (0.88 | )% | | | (0.87 | )% | | | (0.97 | )% | | | (0.25 | )%6 | | | (0.15 | )% | | | (0.75 | )%6 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Portfolio turnover rate | | | 16.12 | %5 | | | 27.22 | % | | | 35.83 | % | | | 41.52 | % | | | 36.51 | % | | | 39.99 | % | | | 24.68 | % | | | 32.92 | % | | | 30.29 | % | | | 55.07 | % | | | 16.12 | %5 | | | 27.22 | % | | | 35.83 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
1 | Based on average shares outstanding. |
2 | Less than $0.01 per share. |
3 | Benefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%. |
4 | For the period May 29, 2009 (Commencement of Operations) to September 30, 2009. |
| | |
See Notes to Financial Statements. | | 39 |
| | |
Baron Funds | | March 31, 2011 |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
BARON OPPORTUNITY FUND
Selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | RETAIL SHARES | | | INSTITUTIONAL SHARES | |
| | Six Months Ended March 31, 2011 | | | Year Ended September 30, | | | Six Months Ended March 31, 2011 | | | Year Ended September 30, | |
| | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | 2005 | | | 2004 | | | 2003 | | | 2002 | | | | 2010 | | | 20097 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $ | 12.76 | | | $ | 10.61 | | | $ | 9.90 | | | $ | 13.01 | | | $ | 10.05 | | | $ | 9.16 | | | $ | 7.58 | | | $ | 6.48 | | | $ | 3.63 | | | $ | 4.09 | | | $ | 12.80 | | | $ | 10.62 | | | $ | 8.88 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from investment operations: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment loss | | | (0.07 | )1 | | | (0.13 | )1 | | | (0.08 | )1 | | | (0.09 | )1 | | | (0.07 | )1 | | | (0.03 | ) | | | (0.09 | ) | | | (0.10 | ) | | | (0.05 | ) | | | (0.06 | ) | | | (0.05 | )1 | | | (0.10 | )1 | | | (0.02 | )1 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | | | 2.78 | | | | 2.28 | | | | 0.79 | | | | (3.02 | ) | | | 3.03 | | | | 0.92 | | | | 1.66 | | | | 1.18 | | | | 2.89 | | | | (0.40 | ) | | | 2.80 | | | | 2.28 | | | | 1.76 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total from investment operations | | | 2.71 | | | | 2.15 | | | | 0.71 | | | | (3.11 | ) | | | 2.96 | | | | 0.89 | | | | 1.57 | | | | 1.08 | | | | 2.84 | | | | (0.46 | ) | | | 2.75 | | | | 2.18 | | | | 1.74 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Less distributions to shareholders from: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | |
Net realized gain on investments | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total distributions | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Redemption fees added to capital paid in | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | 2 | | | 0.00 | 2 | | | 0.00 | 2 | | | 0.00 | 2 | | | 0.00 | 2 | | | 0.01 | | | | 0.02 | | | | 0.01 | | | | 0.00 | 2 | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | 2 | | | 0.00 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $ | 15.47 | | | $ | 12.76 | | | $ | 10.61 | | | $ | 9.90 | | | $ | 13.01 | | | $ | 10.05 | | | $ | 9.16 | | | $ | 7.58 | | | $ | 6.48 | | | $ | 3.63 | | | $ | 15.55 | | | $ | 12.80 | | | $ | 10.62 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total return | | | 21.24 | %4 | | | 20.26 | % | | | 7.17 | % | | | (23.90 | )% | | | 29.45 | %3 | | | 9.72 | % | | | 20.84 | %3 | | | 16.98 | %3 | | | 78.51 | %3 | | | (11.25 | )%3 | | | 21.48 | %4 | | | 20.53 | % | | | 19.59 | %3,4 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets (in millions), end of period | | $ | 265.0 | | | $ | 214.4 | | | $ | 142.7 | | | $ | 154.4 | | | $ | 198.0 | | | $ | 145.4 | | | $ | 145.7 | | | $ | 133.9 | | | $ | 109.3 | | | $ | 57.5 | | | $ | 49.0 | | | $ | 25.5 | | | $ | 10.9 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets | | | 1.42 | %6 | | | 1.44 | % | | | 1.50 | % | | | 1.42 | % | | | 1.43 | % | | | 1.45 | % | | | 1.52 | % | | | 1.56 | % | | | 1.67 | % | | | 1.65 | % | | | 1.15 | %6 | | | 1.18 | % | | | 1.37 | %6 |
Less: Reimbursement of expenses by Adviser and/or offsets | | | 0.00 | % | | | 0.00 | % | | | 0.00 | %5 | | | 0.00 | %5 | | | (0.01 | )% | | | 0.00 | % | | | (0.02 | )% | | | (0.06 | )% | | | (0.17 | )% | | | (0.15 | )% | | | 0.00 | % | | | 0.00 | % | | | (0.12 | )%6 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets | | | 1.42 | %6 | | | 1.44 | % | | | 1.50 | % | | | 1.42 | % | | | 1.42 | % | | | 1.45 | % | | | 1.50 | % | | | 1.50 | % | | | 1.50 | % | | | 1.50 | % | | | 1.15 | %6 | | | 1.18 | % | | | 1.25 | %6 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets | | | (1.04 | )%6 | | | (1.08 | )% | | | (1.00 | )% | | | (0.79 | )% | | | (0.61 | )% | | | (0.26 | )% | | | (1.01 | )% | | | (1.25 | )% | | | (1.18 | )% | | | (1.20 | )% | | | (0.76 | )%6 | | | (0.83 | )% | | | (0.74 | )%6 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Portfolio turnover rate | | | 26.51 | %4 | | | 76.44 | % | | | 68.09 | % | | | 61.44 | % | | | 46.20 | % | | | 67.25 | % | | | 83.64 | % | | | 86.35 | % | | | 89.72 | % | | | 96.41 | % | | | 26.51 | %4 | | | 76.44 | % | | | 68.09 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
1 | Based on average shares outstanding. |
2 | Less than $0.01 per share. |
3 | The total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown. |
5 | Benefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%. |
7 | For the period May 29, 2009 (Commencement of Operations) to September 30, 2009. |
| | |
40 | | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
| | |
March 31, 2011 | | Baron Funds |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
BARON FIFTH AVENUE GROWTH FUND
Selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | RETAIL SHARES | | | INSTITUTIONAL SHARES | |
| | Six Months Ended March 31, 2011 | | | Year Ended September 30, | | | Six Months Ended March 31, 2011 | | | Year Ended September 30, | |
| | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | 2005 | | | 20041 | | | | 2010 | | | 20098 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $ | 9.21 | | | $ | 8.60 | | | $ | 10.38 | | | $ | 14.12 | | | $ | 12.22 | | | $ | 11.56 | | | $ | 9.89 | | | $ | 10.00 | | | $ | 9.21 | | | $ | 8.61 | | | $ | 7.54 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from investment operations: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) | | | (0.03 | )2 | | | (0.03 | )2 | | | 0.03 | 2 | | | 0.00 | 2,3 | | | (0.01 | )2 | | | (0.02 | ) | | | (0.05 | ) | | | (0.02 | ) | | | (0.01 | )2 | | | (0.01 | )2 | | | 0.02 | 2 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | | | 1.23 | | | | 0.66 | | | | (1.03 | ) | | | (2.62 | ) | | | 1.91 | | | | 0.68 | | | | 1.72 | | | | (0.09 | ) | | | 1.23 | | | | 0.66 | | | | 1.05 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total from investment operations | | | 1.20 | | | | 0.63 | | | | (1.00 | ) | | | (2.62 | ) | | | 1.90 | | | | 0.66 | | | | 1.67 | | | | (0.11 | ) | | | 1.22 | | | | 0.65 | | | | 1.07 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Less distributions to shareholders from: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | 0.00 | | | | (0.02 | ) | | | (0.01 | ) | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | (0.05 | ) | | | 0.00 | |
Net realized gain on investments | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | (0.77 | ) | | | (1.12 | ) | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total distributions | | | 0.00 | | | | (0.02 | ) | | | (0.78 | ) | | | (1.12 | ) | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | (0.05 | ) | | | 0.00 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $ | 10.41 | | | $ | 9.21 | | | $ | 8.60 | | | $ | 10.38 | | | $ | 14.12 | | | $ | 12.22 | | | $ | 11.56 | | | $ | 9.89 | | | $ | 10.43 | | | $ | 9.21 | | | $ | 8.61 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total return | | | 13.03 | %4,5 | | | 7.38 | %4 | | | (7.75 | )%4 | | | (19.96 | )%4 | | | 15.55 | % | | | 5.71 | % | | | 16.89 | %4 | | | (1.10 | )%4,5 | | | 13.25 | %4,5 | | | 7.59 | %4 | | | 14.19 | %4,5 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets (in millions), end of period | | $ | 27.9 | | | $ | 29.0 | | | $ | 32.8 | | | $ | 58.2 | | | $ | 110.2 | | | $ | 123.3 | | | $ | 96.5 | | | $ | 49.3 | | | $ | 11.8 | | | $ | 10.4 | | | $ | 9.5 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets | | | 1.60 | %7 | | | 1.62 | % | | | 1.69 | % | | | 1.47 | % | | | 1.36 | % | | | 1.39 | % | | | 1.49 | % | | | 1.67 | %7 | | | 1.32 | %7 | | | 1.35 | % | | | 1.61 | %7 |
Less: Reimbursement of expenses by Adviser and/or offsets | | | (0.30 | )%7 | | | (0.25 | )% | | | (0.29 | )% | | | (0.07 | )% | | | 0.00 | %6 | | | 0.00 | % | | | (0.09 | )% | | | (0.27 | )%7 | | | (0.27 | )%7 | | | (0.24 | )% | | | (0.46 | )%7 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets | | | 1.30 | %7 | | | 1.37 | % | | | 1.40 | % | | | 1.40 | % | | | 1.36 | % | | | 1.39 | % | | | 1.40 | % | | | 1.40 | %7 | | | 1.05 | %7 | | | 1.11 | % | | | 1.15 | %7 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets | | | (0.51 | )%7 | | | (0.32 | )% | | | 0.40 | % | | | (0.01 | )% | | | (0.08 | )% | | | (0.16 | )% | | | (0.58 | )% | | | (0.79 | )%7 | | | (0.25 | )7 | | | (0.07 | )% | | | 0.58 | %7 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Portfolio turnover rate | | | 39.09 | %5 | | | 57.67 | % | | | 39.61 | % | | | 39.59 | % | | | 28.75 | % | | | 105.77 | % | | | 46.71 | % | | | 7.58 | %5 | | | 39.09 | %5 | | | 57.67 | % | | | 39.61 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
1 | For the period April 30, 2004 (Commencement of Operations) to September 30, 2004. |
2 | Based on average shares outstanding. |
3 | Less than $0.01 per share. |
4 | The total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown. |
6 | Benefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%. |
8 | For the period May 29, 2009 (Commencement of Operations) to September 30, 2009. |
| | |
See Notes to Financial Statements. | | 41 |
| | |
Baron Funds | | March 31, 2011 |
FUND EXPENSES (UNAUDITED)
As a shareholder of the Funds, you may incur two types of costs: ongoing expenses and transaction costs. Ongoing expenses include advisory fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. Due to the payment of Rule 12b-1 fees, long-term shareholders may indirectly pay more than the maximum permitted front-end sales charge. The information on this page is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
The information in the following table is based on an investment of $1,000 invested on October 1, 2010 and held for the six months ended March 31, 2011.
ACTUAL EXPENSES
The table below titled “Based on Actual Total Return” provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information provided in this table, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. To estimate the expenses you paid on your account, divide your ending account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 ending account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number under the heading titled “Expenses Paid During the Period”.
BASED ON ACTUAL TOTAL RETURN FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 20111
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Actual Total Return | | | Beginning Account Value October 1, 2010 | | | Ending Account Value March 31, 2011 | | | Annualized Expense Ratio | | | Expenses Paid During the Period2 | |
Baron Asset Fund — Retail Shares | | | 21.64% | | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,216.40 | | | | 1.33% | | | $ | 7.35 | |
Baron Asset Fund — Institutional Shares | | | 21.81% | | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,218.10 | | | | 1.06% | | | $ | 5.86 | |
Baron Growth Fund — Retail Shares | | | 26.28% | | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,262.80 | | | | 1.32% | | | $ | 7.45 | |
Baron Growth Fund — Institutional Shares | | | 26.44% | | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,264.40 | | | | 1.06% | | | $ | 5.98 | |
Baron Small Cap Fund — Retail Shares | | | 25.22% | | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,252.20 | | | | 1.31% | | | $ | 7.36 | |
Baron Small Cap Fund — Institutional Shares | | | 25.37% | | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,253.70 | | | | 1.06% | | | $ | 5.96 | |
Baron Opportunity Fund — Retail Shares | | | 21.24% | | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,212.40 | | | | 1.42% | | | $ | 7.83 | |
Baron Opportunity Fund — Institutional Shares | | | 21.48% | | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,214.80 | | | | 1.15% | | | $ | 6.35 | |
Baron Fifth Avenue Growth Fund — Retail Shares | | | 13.03% | | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,130.30 | | | | 1.30% | | | $ | 6.90 | |
Baron Fifth Avenue Growth Fund — Institutional Shares | | | 13.25% | | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,132.50 | | | | 1.05% | | | $ | 5.58 | |
HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLE FOR COMPARISON PURPOSES
The table below titled “Based on Hypothetical Total Return” provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Funds’ actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account values and expenses you paid for the period. You may use the information provided in this table to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds. To do so, compare the 5% hypothetical example relating to the Funds with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.
Please note that expenses shown in the table below are meant to highlight your ongoing costs and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as redemption fees, if any. Therefore, the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine your relative total costs of owning different mutual funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
BASED ON HYPOTHETICAL TOTAL RETURN FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Hypothetical Annualized Total Return | | | Beginning Account Value October 1, 2010 | | | Ending Account Value March 31, 2011 | | | Annualized Expense Ratio | | | Expenses Paid During the Period2 | |
Baron Asset Fund — Retail Shares | | | 5.00% | | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,018.30 | | | | 1.33% | | | $ | 6.69 | |
Baron Asset Fund — Institutional Shares | | | 5.00% | | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,019.65 | | | | 1.06% | | | $ | 5.34 | |
Baron Growth Fund — Retail Shares | | | 5.00% | | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,018.35 | | | | 1.32% | | | $ | 6.64 | |
Baron Growth Fund — Institutional Shares | | | 5.00% | | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,019.65 | | | | 1.06% | | | $ | 5.34 | |
Baron Small Cap Fund — Retail Shares | | | 5.00% | | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,018.40 | | | | 1.31% | | | $ | 6.59 | |
Baron Small Cap Fund — Institutional Shares | | | 5.00% | | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,019.65 | | | | 1.06% | | | $ | 5.34 | |
Baron Opportunity Fund — Retail Shares | | | 5.00% | | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,017.85 | | | | 1.42% | | | $ | 7.14 | |
Baron Opportunity Estate Fund — Institutional Shares | | | 5.00% | | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,019.20 | | | | 1.15% | | | $ | 5.79 | |
Baron Fifth Avenue Growth Fund — Retail Shares | | | 5.00% | | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,018.45 | | | | 1.30% | | | $ | 6.54 | |
Baron Fifth Avenue Growth Fund — Institutional Shares | | | 5.00% | | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,019.70 | | | | 1.05% | | | $ | 5.29 | |
1 | Assumes reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions, if any. |
2 | Expenses are equal to each Share Class’ respective annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year, then divided by 365. |
42
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0001193125-11-147430/g180721g45x21.jpg)
767 Fifth Avenue, 49th Fl.
New York, NY 10153
1.800.99.BARON
212-583-2000
www.BaronFunds.com
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0001193125-11-147430/g180721g66o29.jpg)
MAR11
Item 2. Code of Ethics.
Not applicable.
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.
Not applicable.
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
Not applicable.
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.
Not applicable.
Item 6. Schedule of Investments.
Included herein under Item 1.
Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable.
Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.
Not applicable.
Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
Not applicable.
Item 11. Controls and Procedures.
(a) The Registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”)) are effective based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report.
(b) There were no changes in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the Registrant’s second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Item 12. Exhibits.
(a) (1) Not applicable.
(a) (2) Certification of each of the principal executive officers and principal financial officers of the Registrant as required by Rule 30a-2 under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2) is attached hereto as a part of EX-99.CERT.
(b) Certification of each of the principal executive officers and principal financial officers of the Registrant as required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 is attached hereto as a part of EX-99.906CERT.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| | |
BARON INVESTMENT FUNDS TRUST |
| |
By: | | /s/ Ronald Baron |
| | Ronald Baron |
| | Chief Executive Officer |
|
Date: May 23, 2011 |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| | |
By: | | /s/ Ronald Baron |
| | Ronald Baron |
| | Chief Executive Officer |
|
Date: May 23, 2011 |
| |
By: | | /s/ Peggy Wong |
| | Peggy Wong |
| | Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer |
|
Date: May 23, 2011 |