In the final quarter of 2025, the Ave Maria Value Focused Fund (AVERX) registered a return of -0.19%, lagging behind the S&P 500 Index's 2.66% growth. This period saw a mixed bag for the fund's holdings, with some sectors demonstrating resilience while others faced significant challenges.
The fund's exposure to precious metals proved beneficial, as Wheaton Precious Metals Corporation and Franco-Nevada Corporation capitalized on rising gold and silver prices. Conversely, the fund's substantial investments in natural resource companies like Texas Pacific Land and LandBridge were adversely affected by a downturn in oil prices. XPEL, Inc., a rapidly expanding small-cap company specializing in automotive coatings, also contributed to the fund's dynamics. Despite recent setbacks, the management maintains a positive outlook, anticipating a substantial recovery for its underperforming assets in the coming years.
The management of the Ave Maria Value Focused Fund remains confident in its long-term strategy, asserting that the current market conditions present unique opportunities for value investors. Their commitment to identifying and nurturing companies with strong underlying fundamentals is expected to drive future growth, ensuring the fund's resilience and success even in volatile economic landscapes.