Chautauqua Capital’s High-Conviction Approach Marks Three-Year Fund Anniversary

Firm

Chautauqua Capital Management’s Brian Beitner Shares Thoughts On Investing In China And Other Global Markets

MILWAUKEE, April 15, 2019 –– Baird’s  Chautauqua International Growth Fund (CCWIX) and Chautauqua Global Growth Fund (CCGIX) have reached the important three-year milestone.  Both funds were created in 2016 after the team at Chautauqua Capital Management became a division of Baird.

 “Chautauqua has implemented a concentrated, conviction-weighted investment approach over its 13 year history,” said Steve Booth, President and CEO of Baird. “Brian Beitner and his talented investment team identify structural growth companies in both developed and emerging markets using a disciplined and risk controlled process.”

On the occasion of this milestone, Brian Beitner addressed a few questions about his outlook for China and other global markets. 

The U.S.-China trade relationship has been a focal point this year.  How are you looking at China?

In anticipation of higher prices due to tariffs, exporters and importers made forward purchases of products, benefiting both the U.S. and Chinese economies in 2018.  Now we are seeing the other side of that coin, and both economies are decelerating as a result. China is arguably in a better position to weather a trade war.  They are now stimulating their economy in response to weakness due to trade concerns. The U.S. took the heavy fiscal stimulus in 2018 with the tax cut and may have less room to react.

What is your long-term view on the country’s investment opportunities?

We think China is transitioning its economy meaningfully with initiatives that will enable it to materially improve living standards. The government is focused on pushing out the marginal players in certain industries to allow greater opportunity for leaders. It is investing in ultra-high-voltage grids, electric vehicles, renewable energy and high-speed rail. We continue to see terrific opportunities in e-commerce, travel, education and health.  Leading companies are still fast growing and, in many cases, trading at reasonable valuations.
Relative to other parts of the world, we are sanguine about China and have a healthy but selected exposure to the market. We have holdings that have pricing power and are positioned to benefit from the current stimulus.

How do you view emerging markets now?

We believe there are terrific growth opportunities across a number of sectors and countries in the emerging markets.  Moreover, valuations are attractive relative to the developed markets. This is especially true as compared to stocks in the U.S. 

The U.S. market has been so strong relative to other markets.  How do you view that dynamic as an international manager?

The U.S., through powerful monetary and fiscal stimulus, has been the economic locomotive since 2009.  But at this stage of the economic expansion there is a strong case for international equities from both a valuation and growth standpoint. On a “purchasing power parity” basis the dollar is over-valued.  Should that revert the international stock investor would also get an enhanced return from the foreign currency exposure.

About Baird Equity Asset Management
Baird Equity Asset Management offers a broad array of independently managed equity investment funds and  strategies including Growth, Value and Global/International.  As one of Pensions & Investments’ “Best Places to Work in Money Management,” Baird Equity Asset Management has talented investment teams working to ensure long-term quality and continuity for clients. Baird Equity Asset Management is a division of Baird, a global financial services firm that has ranked among FORTUNE’s 100 Best Companies to Work For® since 2004. For more information, please visit www.bairdequityassetmanagement.com.

About Baird
Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2019, Baird is an employee-owned, international wealth management, asset management, investment banking/capital markets, and private equity firm with offices in the United States, Europe and Asia. Baird has approximately 3,500 associates serving the needs of individual, corporate, institutional and municipal clients and $208.2 billion in client assets as of Dec. 31, 2018. Committed to being a great workplace, Baird ranked No. 16 on FORTUNE’s 2019 100 Best Companies to Work For list. Baird is the marketing name of Baird Financial Group. Baird’s principal operating subsidiaries are Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated in the United States and Robert W. Baird Group Ltd. in Europe. Baird also has an operating subsidiary in Asia supporting Baird’s investment banking and private equity operations. For more information, please visit Baird’s website at www.rwbaird.com.

For additional information, contact:
Jody Lowe
414-322-9311   

Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of each fund carefully before investing. This and other information is found in the prospectus and summary prospectus. For a prospectus or summary prospectus, contact Baird directly at 866-442-2473 or contact your Financial Advisor. Please read the prospectus or summary prospectus carefully before investing.

All investments carry some level of risk, including loss of principal. Investments in international and emerging markets securities and American Depository Receipts (ADRs) are subject to certain inherent risks including difficulty predicting international trade patterns, currency fluctuations and the possibility of imposition of exchange controls, foreign taxes and regulations, lack of uniform accounting, and the potential for illiquid markets and political or economic instability. These risks are more pronounced in emerging market countries. Additional risks in emerging marketing include currency fluctuations, foreign taxes and regulations, and the potential for illiquid markets and political instability. Other risks may be more pronounced in emerging markets. The Fund may hold fewer securities than other diversified funds, which increases the risk and volatility because each investment has a greater effect on the overall performance.