Artisan Partners Launches Thematic Fund

MILWAUKEE, April 24, 2017 -- Artisan Partners announced today that it launched the Artisan Thematic Fund (NASDAQ:ARTTX). The Fund is managed by Christopher Smith, founding portfolio manager of the Artisan Partners Thematic Team, who joined the firm in October 2016 to start the eighth autonomous investment team. Mr. Smith has 14 years investment experience at high-quality investment firms including Karsch Capital, Soros Capital and Kingdon Capital.

Artisan Partners CEO Eric Colson said, “Our business model provides the Thematic Team with the resources and autonomy to fully and purely implement its philosophy and process without distractions. Chris Smith brings a wealth of experience in managing concentrated long-only and long/short portfolios. We are excited to have him and the team launch their first strategy, which utilizes a unique approach to capitalizing on multi-year thematic trends through a high-conviction portfolio. The Thematic Fund is emblematic of our investment offerings that have higher degrees of investment flexibility and risk management tools.”

In regards to the team’s approach, Mr. Smith added, “We believe the combination of a top-down thematic framework and bottom-up analysis, with a keen focus on risk management, positions the portfolio to deliver attractive risk-adjusted returns over the long term.”

About the Portfolio Manager
Christopher Smith is a managing director of Artisan Partners and founding portfolio manager of the Thematic team. He joined Artisan Partners in October 2016 and has managed the Fund since inception in 2017. Prior to joining Artisan Partners in 2016, Mr. Smith was a senior analyst at Kingdon Capital from October 2014 to October 2016. From September 2013 to October 2014, he was the founder and portfolio manager at Centerline Investment Partners and prior thereto, he was a managing director with Karsch Capital Management. Mr. Smith holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (summa cum laude).

About Artisan Partners
Artisan Partners, adviser to the Artisan Partners Funds, is a global investment management firm that provides a broad range of high value-added investment strategies in growing asset classes to sophisticated clients around the world. Since 1994, the firm has been committed to attracting experienced, disciplined investment professionals to manage client assets. Artisan Partners’ autonomous investment teams oversee a diverse range of investment strategies across multiple asset classes. Strategies are offered through various investment vehicles to accommodate a broad range of client mandates.

Carefully consider the Fund’s investment objective, risks and charges and expenses. This and other important information is contained in the Fund's prospectus and summary prospectus, which can be obtained by calling 800.344.1770. Read carefully before investing.

Investment Risks: A non-diversified portfolio may invest a larger portion of assets in securities of a smaller number of issuers and performance of a single issuer may affect overall portfolio performance greater than in a diversified portfolio. Private placement and restricted securities are subject to strict restrictions on resale and may not be able to be easily sold and are more difficult to value. The use of derivatives may create investment leverage and increase the likelihood of volatility and risk of loss in excess of the amount invested. Securities of small- and medium-sized companies tend to have a shorter history of operations, be more volatile and less liquid and may have underperformed securities of large companies during some periods. Growth securities may underperform other asset types during a given period. International investments involve special risks, including currency fluctuation, lower liquidity, different accounting methods and economic and political systems, and higher transaction costs. These risks typically are greater in emerging markets.

Artisan Funds offered through Artisan Partners Distributors LLC (APDLLC), member FINRA. APDLLC is a wholly owned broker/dealer subsidiary of Artisan Partners Holdings LP. Artisan Partners Limited Partnership, an investment advisory firm and adviser to Artisan Funds, is wholly owned by Artisan Partners Holdings LP.

Artisan Contact:
Mike Roos
800.399.1770
[email protected]