Investment objective & strategy
As of April 30, 2025 · prospectusObjective. The William Blair Emerging Markets Leaders Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.
Strategy. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in emerging markets securities. The Fund invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of equity securities, including common stocks and other forms of equity investments (e.g., securities convertible into common stocks), issued by emerging market companies of all sizes that the Adviser believes have above-average growth, profitability and quality characteristics. Under normal market conditions, the Fund typically holds a limited number of securities ( i.e. , 50-80 securities). The Adviser seeks investment opportunities in companies at different stages of development, ranging from large, well-established companies to smaller companies at earlier stages of development, that are leaders in their … Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in emerging markets securities. The Fund invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of equity securities, including common stocks and other forms of equity investments (e.g., securities convertible into common stocks), issued by emerging market companies of all sizes that the Adviser believes have above-average growth, profitability and quality characteristics. Under normal market conditions, the Fund typically holds a limited number of securities ( i.e. , 50-80 securities). The Adviser seeks investment opportunities in companies at different stages of development, ranging from large, well-established companies to smaller companies at earlier stages of development, that are leaders in their country, industry or globally in terms of products, services or execution. Emerging market companies, for purposes of the Fund, are companies organized under the laws of an emerging market country or that have securities traded principally on an exchange or over-the-counter in an emerging market country. Currently, emerging markets include every country in the world except the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore and most Western European countries. The Funds investments are normally allocated among at least six different countries and no more than 50% of the Funds equity holdings may be invested in securities of issuers in one country at any given time. In choosing investments, the Adviser performs fundamental company analysis and focuses on stock selection. The Adviser generally seeks equity securities, including common stocks, of emerging market companies that historically have had superior growth, profitability and quality relative to local markets and relative to companies within the same industry worldwide, and that are expected to continue such performance. Such companies generally will exhibit superior business fundamentals, including leadership in their field, quality products or services, distinctive marketing and distribution, pricing flexibility and revenue from products or services consumed on a steady, recurring basis. These business characteristics should be accompanied by management that is shareholder return-oriented and that uses conservative accounting policies. Companies with above-average returns on equity, strong balance sheets and consistent, above-average earnings growth at reasonable valuation levels will be the primary focus. Stock selection will take into account both local and global comparisons. The Adviser will vary the Funds sector and geographic diversification based upon the Advisers ongoing evaluation of economic, market and political trends throughout the world. In making decisions regarding country allocation, the Adviser will consider such factors as the conditions and growth potential of various economies and securities markets, currency exchange rates, technological developments in the various countries and other pertinent financial, social, national and political factors.
Top holdings
As of March 31, 2026 · N-PORT| Security | Ticker | Value | % of fund |
|---|---|---|---|
| TSMC | — | $8.50M | 9.10% |
| TAIWAN SEMIC MFG CO LTD SP ADR | — | $7.64M | 8.18% |
| SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD | — | $5.06M | 5.42% |
| TENCENT HOLDINGS LTD | — | $4.03M | 4.31% |
| SK HYNIX INC | — | $3.73M | 3.99% |
| Receive CONTEMPORARY A-A Pay Overnight Rate -1 | — | $2.86M | 3.06% |
| BABA-W | — | $2.76M | 2.96% |
| NU HOLDINGS LTD/CAYMAN ISLANDS | — | $2.53M | 2.70% |
| NASPERS NPV | NPN | $2.20M | 2.35% |
| BHARTI AIRTEL LIMITED | — | $2.10M | 2.25% |
Portfolio moves
Dec 31, 2025 → Mar 31, 2026How many positions this fund opened, exited, grew, trimmed, or left unchanged between its two most recent N-PORT snapshots — net changes between point-in-time reports, not a trade log.
Similar funds
Funds whose portfolios most overlap this one, by weight| Fund | Overlap | Net exp. |
|---|---|---|
| PACE International Emerging Markets Equity Investments · PCEMX, PWEAX, PWEYX, PWETX | 50% | 0.89% |
| Columbia Variable Portfolio - Emerging Markets Fund | 45% | 1.09% |
| Hartford Schroders Emerging Markets Equity Fund · SEMVX, HHHCX, SEMNX, HHHRX, HHHSX, HHHTX, HHHYX, SEMTX, HHHFX | 44% | 0.97% |
Advisers
| Firm | Role |
|---|---|
| WILLIAM BLAIR INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC | Adviser |
Footnotes
- Expense ratio as of April 30, 2025, from the fund's prospectus.
- Net assets and holdings count as of March 31, 2026, from the fund's N-PORT filing.
- Total return for calendar year 2025, before tax and after fund expenses. Computed by compounding the twelve monthly total returns the fund reported in its SEC N-PORT filings for 2025 (the latest prospectus does not yet chart this year).
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