Large Cap Value Q4 2025
Equities shrugged off a retreat in early October and a poor start to November, closing higher for the quarter and posting the third straight year of double-digit gains for the major indices. A combination of interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve and strong corporate profitability fueled investor eagerness to buy the dips. Among larger cap stocks, value outperformed growth, while style effects were more muted among smaller cap issues. Larger stocks generally outperformed smaller ones, though returns among the AI-fueled mega caps were mixed. Indeed, the headline numbers disguised substantial variance across sectors and a pronounced low-quality bias that persisted for much of the quarter, particularly among smaller cap names, where many non-earning and pre-revenue companies posted remarkable gains.
Cooke & Bieler’s Large Cap Value Strategy significantly underperformed the Index during the fourth quarter, posting a 0.54% return gross of fees (0.38% net of fees) against a 3.81% return for the Russell 1000® Value Index.
companies in our fully invested, concentrated portfolio
billion minimum market capitalization at initial purchase**
year track record
billion Large Cap Value assets under management as of 12/31/2025
billion AUM capacity
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Guides
Philosophy
- Fundamentals drive stock prices
- Capital preservation improves returns
- Culture shapes investment decisions
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Shapes
Process
- Thorough, proprietary research by career analysts
- Focus on valuation and risk controls
- Team environment – group discussion/analyst decision
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Generates
Portfolio
- Concentrated and diversified
- Long-term/low turnover
- Fully invested/limit on cash
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Performance
- Consistent pattern of results
- Objective: Outperform the benchmark over the longer term
Large Cap Value
Quarter 4 2025
Equity Composite Performance
- Cooke & Bieler - Gross of Fees
- Cooke & Bieler - Net of Fees
- Russell 1000® Value Index
Quality Characteristics1
- C&B Large Cap Value†
- Russell 1000® Value Index*
| ROC 5 Year Avg | Cash Interest Coverage | Debt/EBITDA | Forecasted P/E (Wtd. Harm. Avg.) | P/Normalized Earnings (Wtd. Harm. Avg.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14.2x | ||||
| 11.1% | 7.2x | 2.7x | 19.0x |
| ROC 5 Year Avg | 11.1% | |
|---|---|---|
| Cash Interest Coverage | 7.2x | |
| Debt/EBITDA | 2.7x | |
| Forecasted P/E (Wtd. Harm. Avg.) | 19.0x | |
| P/Normalized Earnings (Wtd. Harm. Avg.) | 14.2x |
Portfolio Attributes1
- C&B Large Cap Value
- Russell 1000® Value Index
| # Holdings | Market Cap ($B) Range | Market Cap ($B) (Wtd. Avg.) | Annual Turnover |
|---|---|---|---|
| 49 | 2.5 - 446.3 | 76.6 | 29% |
| 870 | 1.1 - 2,947.9 | 338.5 | - |
| # Holdings | 49 | 870 |
|---|---|---|
| Market Cap ($B) Range | 2.5 - 446.3 | 1.1 - 2,947.9 |
| Market Cap ($B) (Wtd. Avg.) | 76.6 | 338.5 |
| Annual Turnover | 29% | - |
Top 10 Holdings1
| Gildan Activewear | 3.7% |
| Fidelity National Financial | 3.3% |
| AerCap | 2.8% |
| Laboratory Corporation of America | 2.8% |
| Chubb | 2.8% |
| RenaissanceRe | 2.7% |
| Open Text | 2.7% |
| Becton Dickinson | 2.6% |
| Charles Schwab | 2.6% |
| RB Global | 2.5% |
Top 10 Holdings1
| Gildan Activewear | 3.7% |
| Fidelity National Financial | 3.3% |
| AerCap | 2.8% |
| Laboratory Corporation of America | 2.8% |
| Chubb | 2.8% |
| RenaissanceRe | 2.7% |
| Open Text | 2.7% |
| Becton Dickinson | 2.6% |
| Charles Schwab | 2.6% |
| RB Global | 2.5% |
Sector Weights1
- C&B Large Cap Value
- Russell 1000® Value Index
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Communication Services
C&B Large Cap Value — Russell 1000® Value Index 8.1% -
Consumer Discretionary
C&B Large Cap Value — Russell 1000® Value Index 7.7% -
Consumer Staples
C&B Large Cap Value — Russell 1000® Value Index 7.6% -
Energy
C&B Large Cap Value — Russell 1000® Value Index 5.9% -
Financials
C&B Large Cap Value — Russell 1000® Value Index 22.6% -
Health Care
C&B Large Cap Value — Russell 1000® Value Index 11.7% -
Industrials
C&B Large Cap Value — Russell 1000® Value Index 13.1% -
Information Technology
C&B Large Cap Value — Russell 1000® Value Index 10.5% -
Materials
C&B Large Cap Value — Russell 1000® Value Index 4.1% -
Real Estate
C&B Large Cap Value — Russell 1000® Value Index 4.2% -
Utilities
C&B Large Cap Value — Russell 1000® Value Index 4.5% -
Cash
C&B Large Cap Value — Russell 1000® Value Index —
Additional Cooke & Bieler Large Cap Value Disclosures
Large Cap Value Equity Composite
| Year | Total Return Gross of Fees (%) | Total Return Net of Fees (%) | Russell 1000® Value Index (%) | S&P 500® Index (%) | Russell 1000® Value Index 3-yr Std Dev (%) | S&P Index 3-Yr Std Dev (%) | Composite 3-Yr Std Dev (%) | Composite Dispersion (%) | Market Value ($Millions) | Total Firm Assets ($Millions) | # of Portfolios |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | -1.69 | -2.33 | -3.83 | 1.38 | 10.68 | 10.47 | 10.54 | 0.12 | 1,537.1 | 4,804.9 | 41 |
| 2016 | 15.85 | 15.12 | 17.34 | 11.96 | 10.77 | 10.59 | 11.19 | 0.09 | 1,533.5 | 5,303.4 | 42 |
| 2017 | 19.96 | 19.22 | 13.66 | 21.83 | 10.20 | 9.92 | 10.50 | 0.19 | 1,629.0 | 5,912.3 | 36 |
| 2018 | -11.86 | -12.45 | -8.27 | -4.38 | 10.82 | 10.80 | 12.32 | 0.32 | 1,355.7 | 5,084.6 | 31 |
| 2019 | 36.24 | 35.42 | 26.54 | 31.49 | 11.85 | 11.93 | 13.89 | 0.23 | 1,156.5 | 9,757.1 | 28 |
| 2020 | 4.58 | 3.89 | 2.80 | 18.40 | 19.62 | 18.53 | 22.88 | 0.47 | 1,211.3 | 9,540.8 | 28 |
| 2021 | 23.72 | 22.96 | 25.16 | 28.71 | 19.06 | 17.17 | 22.16 | 0.21 | 1,328.7 | 11,942.6 | 29 |
| 2022 | -5.83 | -6.46 | -7.54 | -18.11 | 21.25 | 20.87 | 23.26 | 0.18 | 1,033.5 | 10,678.1 | 27 |
| 2023 | 16.64 | 15.91 | 11.46 | 26.29 | 16.51 | 17.29 | 17.33 | 0.26 | 1,126.0 | 11,834.8 | 26 |
| 2024 | 10.46 | 9.76 | 14.37 | 25.02 | 16.66 | 17.15 | 16.92 | 0.25 | 1,621.6 | 11,366.4 | 27 |
The Large Cap Value Equity Composite has been examined for the periods from January 1, 1993 through December 31, 2024. The performance examination report is available upon request.
The Cooke & Bieler Large Cap Value Equity Composite (Composite) has an inception date of January 1, 1977 and includes all fully discretionary fee paying, large cap value equity tax-exempt portfolios managed for more than one quarter. The Composite was created in January 1997. For investment purposes, we generally define large cap equity securities as those of companies whose market capitalization is within the range of the Russell 1000® Index at initial time of purchase. Securities are selected using the firm’s fundamental, bottom-up approach. Portfolios are concentrated, typically holding approximately 40-50 securities.
The standard fee agreement for a segregated account is 0.65 of 1% per annum on the first $25 million, 0.45 of 1% per annum on the next $25 million, and 0.38 of 1% per annum on the balance, however fees are negotiable. Net of fee returns are calculated quarterly by deducting one quarter of the annual model fee rate of 0.65% from the gross of fee Composite return. The Composite includes accounts that pay performance-based fees. As of 12/31/54, less than 1% of Composite assets are custodied with brokers that do not charge trading commissions. Accounts custodied elsewhere will incur trading expenses, which may reduce returns.
For comparison purposes, the Composite is measured against the Russell 1000® Value Index and the S&P 500® Index. Prior to 1/1/15, the S&P 500 Index was shown as the primary benchmark and the Russell 1000® Value was the secondary benchmark. The indices returns are provided to represent the environment existing during the periods shown and are not covered by the report of independent verifiers. FTSE Russell is a subsidiary of London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) and is the source and owner of the trademarks, service marks and copyrights related to the Russell Indexes. Russell® is a trademark of FTSE Russell. The S&P 500® Index is a trademark of McGraw-Hill, Inc.
Cooke & Bieler Additional Disclosures
Notes:
- Cooke & Bieler, L.P. claims compliance with the Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS®) and has prepared and presented this report in compliance with the GIPS standards. Cooke & Bieler has been independently verified for the periods January 1, 1993 through December 31, 2025. The verification report is available upon request. A firm that claims compliance with the GIPS standards must establish policies and procedures for complying with all the applicable requirements of the GIPS standards. Verification provides assurance on whether the firm’s policies and procedures related to composite maintenance as well as the calculation, presentation, and distribution of performance, have been designed in compliance with the GIPS standards and have been implemented on a firm‐wide basis. Verification does not provide assurance on the accuracy of any specific performance report.
- The Firm is defined as Cooke & Bieler, L.P., an independent investment management firm and is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
- Rates of return are calculated in U.S. dollars. Portfolios are valued monthly on a trade date basis. Portfolio returns reflect the reinvestment of dividend and interest income.
- Returns are presented both gross and net of fees. Gross of fee returns do not reflect the deduction of investment advisory fees. Client returns will be reduced by investment advisory fees and other expenses they may incur in the management of their investment advisory accounts. Investment advisory fees are described in Part 2A of Form ADV. The actual fee charged is subject to negotiation and may depend on the asset size, client location, and type of portfolio.
- Dispersion is measured using an asset weighted standard deviation of portfolio gross returns represented within the Composite for the full year.
- A list of composite descriptions and a complete list of pooled fund descriptions for limited distribution pooled funds is available upon request. Policies for valuing investments, calculating performance, and preparing GIPS Reports are also available upon request.
- For comparison purposes, each index is fully invested and includes the reinvestment of income. The returns for each index do not include any transaction costs, management fees or other costs.
- The three-year annualized ex-post standard deviation measures the variability of the Composite (using gross returns) and the benchmark for the preceding 36-month period.
- GIPS® is a registered trademark of CFA Institute. CFA Institute does not endorse or promote this organization, nor does it warrant the accuracy or quality of the content contained herein.
- Past performance is not indicative of future results. All investing involves risk, including loss of principal.