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Ariel Investments
Ariel Investments is a global asset management firm founded in 1983. It is headquartered in Chicago, with offices in New York City and San Francisco.
Overview
Ariel Investments is a global asset management firm founded in 1983. It is headquartered in Chicago, with offices in New York City and San Francisco. The firm serves individual and institutional investors through separate accounts, mutual funds and private asset affiliates.
General information
Firm type
Generalist
Year founded
1983
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Chicago
Corporate office
Chicago, IL, United States
Principals
John W. Rogers Jr.
Founder, Chairman, Co-CEO and Chief Investment Officer
Mellody Hobson
Co-CEO and President
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at Ariel Investments?
John W. Rogers Jr. is the Chief Investment Officer and drives the firm's investment philosophy. He founded the firm in 1983 and has continuously led the investment team. Portfolio decisions are made by a centralized team of in-house analysts and portfolio managers based in Chicago.
What investment philosophy does Ariel Investments follow?
Ariel is a strict value investor. The firm searches for high-quality businesses trading at a significant discount to their intrinsic worth, with a holding period measured in years, not quarters. The approach is benchmarked against a long-term absolute return target rather than short-term relative performance against an index.
What is the structure of Ariel Alternatives and its relationship to the main firm?
Ariel Alternatives is a separate private equity initiative launched by Ariel Investments in 2021. It is led by a different management team and focuses on scaling sustainable minority-owned businesses. Mellody Hobson served as sole Chair of its board of directors for one of its vehicles, Project Black, beginning in 2023.
Is Ariel Investments a minority-owned business?
Yes, Ariel Investments is majority-minority-owned and is one of the largest African American-owned mutual fund companies in the United States. The firm's commitment to diversity is a core element of its corporate identity, extending to its community engagement and boardroom advocacy.
What investment stages and asset classes does Ariel cover?
Ariel's core competency is publicly traded U.S. small-cap and mid-cap equities. The firm has expanded into global and international equity strategies. Through its Ariel Alternatives affiliate, it also deploys capital into private equity control-stake transactions in the middle market.
What is the relationship between Ariel's mutual fund business and John Rogers' personal holdings?
John W. Rogers Jr. is almost entirely invested in Ariel's own mutual funds. This alignment of interests between management and shareholders is often cited by the firm as a structural advantage, ensuring his personal wealth is directly affected by the same investment performance that clients experience.
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