Polen International Equity

Polen International Equity

Polen Capital launched in 1989 as an equity boutique focused on a single, concentrated growth mandate. The International Equity strategy extends that same philosophy beyond US borders, constructing a compact portfolio of what the firm calls "great global businesses." The strategy targets companies with consistent, above-average earnings growth, high returns on capital, and fortress balance sheets — principles that founder David Polen embedded into the firm's culture from day one. Damon Ficklin and Rob Forker co-manage the International Equity portfolio, which typically holds between 20 and 30 names. The team looks for businesses with sustainable competitive moats, pricing power, and management teams that allocate capital prudently. Sector exposure leans toward areas where these traits concentrate: consumer staples and technology-enabled businesses that dominate their categories. Confirmed holdings include Nestlé, LVMH, Atlas Copco, and Munich Re — names with multi-decade operating histories and global pricing power. The strategy invests primarily in developed markets across Europe and the United Kingdom, with selective exposure to companies listed in Japan and Canada when quality screens align. The International Equity strategy sits within a broader Polen platform that also manages US large-cap growth, global growth, and credit strategies. While total firm assets are not broken down by vehicle, Polen Capital has grown materially over the last decade, attracting institutional and intermediary capital globally. The firm maintains additional offices in Boston and London, reflecting the international scope of its client base and research efforts. In 2022, Polen acquired Somerset Capital Management, a London-based emerging-markets specialist, expanding its global equity capabilities (per the firm, October 2022). Polen's structural differentiator is its rejection of market-cap-weighting orthodoxy. The International Equity strategy runs a benchmark-agnostic portfolio where position sizes reflect conviction, not index weight. This permits ownership of mid-cap compounders that broad international indices overlook. The team operates with a long-duration mindset that is rare among peers — turnover stays in the single digits, and the investment committee evaluates success over rolling five-year periods.