Investment Objective

The Fund seeks long-term total returns.

Investment Strategy

The Osterweis Fund invests primarily in common stocks of companies that the Osterweis Capital Management investment team believes offer superior investment value and opportunity for growth. In selecting investments, the investment team focuses on companies that it believes to be undervalued or otherwise out-of-favor in the market, but that have attractive growth prospects.

Highlights

  • Bottom-up stock selection based on rigorous fundamental analysis
  • Risk-aware strategy
  • Experienced investment team
  • Adviser is majority-owned by its employees

Minimum Investments

  • $5,000 initial investment for regular accounts
  • $1,500 initial investment for IRA or other tax-deferred accounts
  • $100 for subsequent investments

NAV as of 9/25/23

Price $17.42 Change $0.04

Fund Facts

Ticker OSTFX
CUSIP 742935406
Inception Date 10/1/1993
Load None
12b-1 Fees None
Redemption Fee None
Net Assets
(as of 8/31/23)
$141 million
Fiscal Year Turnover
(as of 3/31/23)
54%
Net Expense Ratio
(as of 3/31/23)
0.97%
Gross Expense Ratio
(as of 3/31/23)
0.97%
Active Share (as of 3/31/23) 81%

Philosophy

We employ a risk-averse investment strategy predicated on the belief that strong long-term investment results are best achieved through a compounding of reasonable gains and the avoidance of major losses. We, therefore, consciously strive to limit downside exposure as much as to generate upside returns.

We focus on out-of-favor, undervalued situations with low P/E, P/B and P/FCF ratios and strong or rapidly improving cash flow dynamics. We seek to avoid fads and speculatively priced stocks, where the risk of mistakes is high.

We continually search for under-researched, growth situations that can be purchased for modest multiples. As such companies gain recognition and are accorded multiples more in line with their growth rates, we may become sellers. We also tend to focus on asset rich companies with improving earning prospects. In short we often follow the old saying, “Buy assets, sell earnings.” This tends to reduce the risk of earnings disappointments.

Underlying everything we do is an intense focus on cash flow, especially a company’s ability to generate free cash flow after all expenses and capital spending. Cash flow is more real than reported earnings, which are subject to accounting manipulation. Companies that generate strong free cash flow are able to repay debt, repurchase shares, and grow through acquisitions or reinvestment in their businesses. They are also attractive acquisition targets for both other companies and financial buyers. Because of these characteristics, companies with rising free cash flow are often better able to grow, regardless of stock market conditions and, at the same time, may offer downside protection during periods of market weakness.

Investment Team

John Osterweis

Founder, Chairman & Co-Chief Investment Officer – Core Equity

John Osterweis

John Osterweis

Founder, Chairman & Co-Chief Investment Officer – Core Equity

After graduating from business school, John Osterweis served as a Senior Analyst concentrating on the forest products and paper industry for several regional brokerage firms and later for E.F. Hutton & Company, Inc. In addition to his activities as an analyst, Mr. Osterweis served as Director of Research for two firms and managed equity portfolios for over ten years.

In late 1982, Mr. Osterweis decided to devote himself full time to his portfolio management activities, and in April of 1983 launched Osterweis Capital Management. Mr. Osterweis has served as Director of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, Director on the Stanford Alumni Association Executive Board, Trustee of Bowdoin College, Director and Vice Chairman of Mt. Zion Hospital and Medical Center, and President of the Board of Directors for Summer Search Foundation. He currently serves as a Trustee of the San Francisco Ballet Association, Director of the San Francisco Free Clinic, and President Emeritus of the San Francisco Ballet Endowment Foundation, as well as Trustee Emeritus of Summer Search Foundation and of Bowdoin College.

He is a member of the firm’s Management Committee, a principal of the firm, and a co-lead Portfolio Manager for the core equity, growth & income, and flexible balanced strategies.

Mr. Osterweis graduated from Bowdoin College (B.A. in Philosophy, cum laude), and Stanford Graduate School of Business (M.B.A. with top honors in Finance).

Gregory Hermanski

Co-Chief Investment Officer – Core Equity

Gregory Hermanski

Co-Chief Investment Officer – Core Equity

Prior to joining Osterweis Capital Management in 2002, Greg Hermanski was a Vice President at Robertson Stephens and Co. where he was in charge of convertible bond research. Prior to that, Mr. Hermanski was a Research Analyst covering convertible, high yield, and distressed securities at Imperial Capital, LLC, and a Valuation Consultant for Price Waterhouse, LLC.

He is a principal of the firm and a co-lead Portfolio Manager for the core equity, growth & income, and flexible balanced strategies.

Mr. Hermanski graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (B.A. in Business/Economics).

Nael Fakhry

Co-Chief Investment Officer – Core Equity

Nael Fakhry

Co-Chief Investment Officer – Core Equity

Prior to joining Osterweis Capital Management in 2011, Nael Fakhry worked as an Associate at American Securities, a private equity firm, and as an Analyst in the investment banking division of Morgan Stanley.

He is a principal of the firm and a co-lead Portfolio Manager for the core equity, growth & income, and flexible balanced strategies.

Mr. Fakhry graduated from Stanford University (B.A. in History, Phi Beta Kappa) and the University of California Berkeley, Walter A. Haas School of Business (M.B.A., C.J. White Scholar).

The Osterweis Funds are available by prospectus only. The Funds’ investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses must be considered carefully before investing. The summary and statutory prospectuses contain this and other important information about the Funds. You may obtain a summary or statutory prospectus by calling toll free at (866) 236-0050, or by visiting www.osterweis.com/statpro. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing to ensure the Fund is appropriate for your goals and risk tolerance.

Mutual fund investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible.

The Osterweis Fund may invest in medium and smaller sized companies, which involve additional risks such as limited liquidity and greater volatility. The Fund may invest in foreign and emerging market securities, which involve greater volatility and political, economic and currency risks and differences in accounting methods. These risks may increase for emerging markets. The Fund may invest in Master Limited Partnerships, which involve risk related to energy prices, demand and changes in tax code. The Fund may invest in debt securities that are un-rated or rated below investment grade. Lower-rated securities may present an increased possibility of default, price volatility or illiquidity compared to higher-rated securities. Investments in debt securities typically decrease in value when interest rates rise. This risk is usually greater for longer-term debt securities.

While the fund is no-load, management fees and other expenses still apply. Please refer to the prospectus for more information.

Osterweis Capital Management is the adviser to the Osterweis Funds, which are distributed by Quasar Distributors, LLC.