Artisan Partners, an investment management firm, issued its first-quarter 2026 investor letter for the “Artisan Mid Cap Value Fund”. A copy of this letter is available for download here. In Q1 2026, the portfolio underperformed the benchmark Russell Midcap Value Index as the market favored momentum-driven stocks over quality factors. Some holdings faced company-specific setbacks and negative sentiment. The Fund’s Investor Class: ARTQX returned -4.93%, Advisor Class: APDQX declined by -4.90%, and Institutional Class: APHQX fell by -4.97%, all trailing the Index’s 3.68% gain. The equity market in the quarter was mixed, with mid- and small-cap indices showing resilience despite lagging large-cap growth stocks. Volatility increased, initially fueled by interest in AI and private credit, but escalated after the outbreak of war in Iran, leading to rising oil prices. Sector performance varied, with energy leading the gains. The Fund continues to seek companies capable of value growth during market dislocations at attractive entry points. Also, review the Fund’s top five holdings to see its best picks for 2026.
In its first-quarter 2026 investor letter, Artisan Mid Cap Value Fund highlighted Brown & Brown, Inc. (NYSE:BRO) as a newly added position. Brown & Brown, Inc. (NYSE:BRO) is a leading insurance brokerage firm that operates through Retail and Specialty Distribution segments. On July 7, 2026, Brown & Brown, Inc. (NYSE:BRO) closed at $69.27 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $23.48 billion. Brown & Brown, Inc. (NYSE:BRO) posted a one-month return of 15.10%, while its shares lost 35.94% over the past 52 weeks.
Artisan Mid Cap Value Fund stated the following regarding Brown & Brown, Inc. (NYSE:BRO) in its Q1 2026 investor letter:
“We initiated six new positions in Q1, representing an above-average rate of new purchase activity. Increased market volatility and greater dispersion in US equities during the quarter created more opportunities to add new names that meet our three margin-of-safety criteria: attractive business economics, sound financial condition and attractive valuation. Additionally, we sought to use recent volatility to upgrade the portfolio’s quality. Our three largest new buys by position size were Brown & Brown, Inc. (NYSE:BRO), Veralto and IQVIA Holdings.
Brown & Brown is a leading US insurance broker focused on the middle market. The shares have come under pressure alongside the broader broker group, as investors recalibrated expectations following a period of elevated growth driven by a hard insurance market. As pricing and growth have begun to normalize, valuations have compressed, creating what we believe is a more attractive entry point. From a business economics perspective, insurance brokerage is a compelling model. Brokers act as intermediaries without taking underwriting risk, resulting in high margins, low capital intensity and strong free cash flow conversion, supported by high customer retention. Brown & Brown has built a scaled platform serving small- and mid-sized businesses, a segment that tends to exhibit resilient demand, and has compounded value over time through consistent organic growth and acquisitions in a fragmented industry. While near-term growth is moderating and competition has increased, we view concerns around AI driven disruption as overstated. Brokers provide critical advisory and claims support functions that remain difficult to replicate, and technology should enhance productivity over time rather than displace the model. From a financial standpoint, the company is generating strong, recurring cash flows, with a solid balance sheet that supports continued reinvestment and M&A. With the shares now trading closer to the lower end of their historical valuation range, we believe the risk/reward is favorable.”
Brown & Brown, Inc. (NYSE:BRO) is not on our list of 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds Heading Into 2026. According to our database, 41 hedge fund portfolios held Brown & Brown, Inc. (NYSE:BRO) at the end of the first quarter, compared to 42 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the risk and potential of Brown & Brown, Inc. (NYSE:BRO) as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than Brown & Brown, Inc. (NYSE:BRO) and that has 10,000% upside potential, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock.
In another article, we covered Brown & Brown, Inc. (NYSE:BRO) and shared Madison Mid Cap Fund’s views on the company. In addition, please check out our hedge fund investor letters Q1 2026 page for more investor letters from hedge funds and other leading investors.
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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
