Harris Associates

Harris Associates L.P. is a Chicago-based investment company that manages $86 billion[1] in assets as of June 30, 2020. Harris manages long-only U.S. equity, international equity, and global equity strategies which are offered through its mutual fund company, the Oakmark Funds, and other types of vehicles. Harris is wholly owned by Natixis Global Asset Management, a French financial services firm that is principally owned by BPCE, France’s second largest banking group. Harris Associates retains full control of investment decisions, investment philosophy, and day-to-day operations.

Harris Associates
TypeSubsidiary
IndustryInvestment Management
Founded1976 (1976)
FounderVictor Morgenstern
HeadquartersChicago, Illinois, U.S.
ProductsMutual Funds, Asset Management
AUM
  • US$86 billion (2020)
  • US$118 billion (2019)
  • US$141 billion (2018)
  • US$118 billion (2017)
Number of employees
199
ParentNatixis Global Asset Management
Websitewww.harrisassoc.com

History

Harris Associates was founded in 1976 by Victor Morgenstern,[2] Myron Szold, Roger Brown, Ralph Wanger,[3] Joe Braucher, Peter Foreman, Ed Neisser and Earl Rusnak, who had previously worked in the private investment office of Chicago entrepreneur Irving Harris. Irving Harris was not directly related to the Norman Harris who established Harris Bank..

Investment philosophy

Harris Associates is considered to be a value investor. The investment process entails investing in businesses that are trading at a discount to intrinsic value. The intrinsic value is based on a discounted cash flow analysis that takes into account the quality of management and the company's ability to grow.[4] According to research by Morningstar in April 2013 which analyzed the performance of the seven Oakmark funds over a five-year period, four were ranked in at least the top 2% in their relevant categories.[5]

Investment managers

As of 2020, notable investment managers include Bill Nygren, who joined in 1983[6] is known for a value investing approach.[7]

Supreme Court case

In 2009, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear Jones v. Harris Associates, a suit brought in federal court by a group of mutual fund investors against the firm. The mutual fund investors, who are investors in the Oakmark funds, claimed that the funds have overpaid their advisor (Harris Associates), and that the fees that Harris Associates charges Oakmark investors are higher than the fees that Harris charges institutional clients.[8]

The suit previously had been thrown out by the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in 2008, with a judge who is a noted free-market backer, Richard Posner arguing that sometimes marketplaces need to be reined in.[9][10]

In March 2010, the Supreme Court unanimously vacated the Seventh Circuit's ruling and remanded the case.[11]

References
  1. http://www.harrisassoc.com/About-Us.htm
  2. http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=1100344&privcapId=6060156&previousCapId=6060156&previousTitle=Valor%20Equity%20Partners%20L.P.
  3. "Wanger Investment Management". Bloomberg.
  4. http://analysis.morningstar.com/analystreport/far.aspx?t=OAKLX&region=USA&culture=en-us
  5. http://online.barrons.com/article/SB50001424052748704882404578390772279784116.html#articleTabs_article%3D1
  6. "Bill Nygren". news.morningstar.com. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
  7. "Oakmark Slumps, but Potential Remains". Morningstar, Inc. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
  8. "Mutual fund fee case tests what is a reasonable charge". Chicago Tribune. 3 November 2009.
  9. "Mutual fund fee case tests what is a reasonable charge". Chicago Tribune. 3 November 2009.
  10. "Mutual Fund Fee Dispute Divides U.S. Supreme Court (Update2)". Bloomberg. 2 November 2009.
  11. http://www.scotusblog.com/2010/03/todays-opinions-49/
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