Ariel Investments

Ariel Investments

Active value asset manager across markets

Overview

Ariel Investments is a financial services firm that uses value investing to manage assets for individuals, institutions, and retirement plans. It identifies high-quality, undervalued medium-sized companies and builds active value funds that invest in these stocks both in the U.S. and abroad, including emerging markets. The funds are run by portfolio managers who select stocks they believe are trading below their intrinsic value, then hold them to capture long-term value. The company earns money from management fees based on assets under management and from performance fees tied to portfolio returns. It differentiates itself by pursuing a contrarian, long-term approach that combines a diversified team and a diversified portfolio strategy, focusing on mid-sized and global opportunities rather than only large-cap stocks. The goal is to deliver steady, risk-adjusted financial results for clients by sticking to disciplined value investing and broad diversification across people and markets.

About Ariel Investments

Simplify's Rating
Why Ariel Investments is rated
B-
Rated B on Competitive Edge
Rated B on Growth Potential
Rated C on Differentiation

Industries

Financial Services

Company Size

N/A

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Chicago, Illinois

Founded

1983

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Ariel’s firmwide AUM rose from $13.8 billion to $16.3 billion by June 2026.
  • Project Level raised $250 million by February 2026, validating fundraising power.
  • Ariel’s 4Q25 small/mid-cap composite beat Russell 2500 Value over one year.

What critics are saying

  • Ariel offered early retirements in 2025; John Miller left May 1, 2025.
  • Ariel Fund trailed Russell 2500 Value in 2026 year-to-date and one-year returns.
  • Project Level depends on a niche category; weak women’s sports deal flow limits deployment.

What makes Ariel Investments unique

  • John Rogers and Mellody Hobson still control Ariel through HoldCo in 2025.
  • Ariel’s small/mid-cap value franchise posted 10.96% annualized since inception through June 2026.
  • Project Level extends Ariel into women’s sports with minority ownership stakes and league investments.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account

Paid Parental Leave

Paid Sick Leave

Company News

Yahoo Finance
Jul 4th, 2026
Envista Holdings sees 9.5% revenue growth, Barclays cuts price target to $32

Barclays has reiterated an Overweight rating on Envista Holdings Corporation but lowered its price target to $32 from $34. The dental products manufacturer is among top picks of Ariel Investments. Envista reported strong first-quarter results, with 9.5% core revenue growth translating into 25% adjusted EBITDA growth and 50% earnings-per-share growth. The company delivered growth across all major businesses, driven by customer engagement and new product commercialisation. For the full year, Envista maintained its guidance, expecting sales growth of 2% to 4% and adjusted EBITDA growth of 7% to 13%. The company projects adjusted diluted earnings per share between $1.35 and $1.45. Envista manages a portfolio of over 30 dental brands, including Nobel Biocare, Ormco, DEXIS, and Kerr. The company was spun off from Danaher Corporation.

Ariel Investments
Jun 9th, 2026
The 100 most influential people in sports 2026: Mellody Hobson.

The 100 most influential people in sports 2026: Mellody Hobson. June 9, 2026 By TIME Ariel Investments Co-CEO and Project Level Founder Mellody Hobson has been named to TIME's inaugural 100 Most Influential People in Sports list honoring the most prominent figures shaping the global sports landscape. In this interview, Mellody Hobson candidly discusses her opinions on the sports investing market and on private investments held by the Project Level Fund. These opinions are current as of the date of this interview but is subject to change. The information provided in this interview does not provide information reasonably sufficient upon which to base an investment decision and should not be considered a recommendation to purchase or sell any particular security. This material should not be considered an offer for any of the securities referenced. The information contained in the interview is not guaranteed as to its accuracy or completeness. Portfolio holdings are subject to change. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Equity investments are risky and subject to the volatility of the markets. The performance of any single portfolio holding is no indication of the performance of other portfolio holdings or its strategy. The intrinsic value of the investments that Project Level makes may be based on incorrect assumptions or estimations, may be affected by declining fundamentals or external forces, and may never be recognized by the broader market. This document may contain forward-looking statements relating to the objectives, opportunities, and the future performance of the markets generally. Forward looking statements may be identified by the use of such words as; "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "should," "planned," "estimated," "potential" and other similar terms. Forward-looking statements are subject to various factors, including, but not limited to general and local economic conditions, changing levels of competition within certain industries and markets, changes in interest rates, changes in legislation or regulation, and other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory and technological factors affecting a portfolio's operations that could cause actual results to differ materially from projected results. Such statements are forward-looking in nature and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, and accordingly, actual results may differ materially from those reflected or contemplated in such forward-looking statements. None of Project Level, Ariel Investments or any of their affiliates or principals nor any other individual or entity assumes any obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, subsequent events or any other circumstances. All statements made herein speak only as of the date that they were made.

NFL
Mar 31st, 2026
NFL partners with TMRW Sports and world-class investors and athletes to launch new professional flag football league

The NFL announced today that it is partnering with TMRW Sports to develop and operate a professional flag football league for women and men. The new professional league will launch with support from a broad and influential investor pool, including NFL clu

CNBC
Feb 3rd, 2026
Ariel Investments raises $250M for women's sports fund Project Level

Ariel Investments has raised $250 million for its Project Level Fund, which focuses on investing in women's sports. Co-CEO Mellody Hobson discussed the fundraising on CNBC's Squawk Box, describing women's sports as "the small caps of sports". The fund represents a significant investment in the growing women's sports sector, which has seen increased attention from investors and media coverage in recent years. Hobson also addressed broader market trends during the interview. Project Level Fund aims to capitalise on opportunities in women's athletics, a market segment that has historically been undervalued compared to men's sports but shows substantial growth potential.

Insider Monkey
Aug 22nd, 2025
Ariel Small Cap Value Added Zebra Technologies (ZBRA) to Its Portfolio in Q2

Ariel Investments, an investment management company, released its "Ariel Small Cap Value Strategy" second-quarter 2025 investor letter.

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