| Valuation method | Value, $ | Upside, % |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial intelligence (AI) | 374.15 | 7027 |
| Intrinsic value (DCF) | 12.47 | 138 |
| Graham-Dodd Method | 10.20 | 94 |
| Graham Formula | n/a |
Liberty All-Star Growth Fund, Inc. (NYSE: ASG) is a closed-end equity mutual fund managed by ALPS Advisers, Inc., with co-management from Weatherbie Capital, LLC, Congress Asset Management Company, and Sustainable Growth Advisers, LP. Focused on U.S. public equities, ASG invests across diversified sectors, targeting growth stocks of companies of all market capitalizations. The fund employs a bottom-up, fundamental analysis approach to stock selection, benchmarking performance against the NASDAQ Composite, Russell 3000 Growth Index, and S&P 500. Established in 1986 and formerly known as Charles Allmon Trust, Inc., ASG provides investors with exposure to high-growth potential equities while maintaining a diversified portfolio. With a market cap of approximately $305 million, ASG is a niche player in the financial services sector, appealing to investors seeking actively managed growth equity exposure.
Liberty All-Star Growth Fund (ASG) offers investors access to a diversified portfolio of U.S. growth equities managed by a team of experienced investment firms. The fund's multi-manager approach provides diversified expertise, potentially mitigating single-manager risk. With a beta of 1.206, ASG exhibits higher volatility than the broader market, which may appeal to risk-tolerant investors seeking growth opportunities. The fund's $0.40 annual dividend per share provides modest income, though its primary focus remains capital appreciation. Key risks include market volatility inherent in growth investing, potential underperformance versus benchmarks, and the closed-end fund structure which can trade at premiums or discounts to NAV. The lack of leverage (zero debt) is a positive, but the fund's small size ($305M market cap) may limit liquidity.
Liberty All-Star Growth Fund differentiates itself through its unique multi-manager structure, employing three specialized investment firms to manage portions of the portfolio. This approach combines diverse growth investing philosophies - from Weatherbie Capital's focus on sustainable competitive advantages to Sustainable Growth Advisers' emphasis on ESG-integrated growth investing. The fund's small size allows for agility in portfolio adjustments, though it lacks the scale advantages of larger funds. ASG's competitive edge lies in its active management approach in an era where passive investing dominates, offering potential alpha generation through stock selection. However, its higher expense ratio (common for actively managed funds) and smaller asset base put it at a disadvantage against low-cost index funds and ETFs. The fund's performance is highly dependent on the success of its managers' growth stock-picking abilities, making manager selection and continuity critical. Its closed-end structure provides stable capital for managers but introduces potential NAV discount/premium volatility that open-end funds avoid.