Scharf Investments

What Scharf Investments does

Scharf Investments, LLC is a privately held, California-based registered investment advisor founded in 1983. The firm manages approximately $4.2–4.5 billion in assets under management for high-net-worth individuals and families, family offices, corporations, endowments, foundations, and financial advisors. Headquartered in Los Gatos with a secondary office in Soquel, the firm operates with 11–50 employees and emphasizes concentrated, quality value investing with downside risk management as its central philosophy.

The firm's investment engine is its proprietary Multi-factor Analytical Performance (MAP) screen, which uses fundamental valuation metrics (price/earnings, price/book, price/cash flow) across a dataset extending back to 1973 to identify securities with 30–40% appreciation potential over 12–24 months. The MAP screen filters a universe of more than 1,700 stocks down to 25–35 concentrated portfolio holdings. Scharf packages this approach into multiple strategy modules: Core Equity, Quality Value, Multi-Asset, Global Opportunity, and Growth, and distributes it through separately managed accounts, the Scharf mutual fund family (launched in 2011), and Scharf ETFs. The firm holds 28 years of GIPS-audited performance, is a UN PRI signatory since February 2022, and aligns with TCFD. Marketing reach is amplified by President Brian Krawez's regular appearances on Bloomberg, Reuters, and Barron's.

Scharf generates revenue through investment advisory fees on assets under management, with a recurring subscription-style model. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed; mutual fund minimums range from $5,000–$10,000 for early-stage investors while separately managed accounts are available for accredited investors. Distribution combines direct sales through Client Portfolio Managers, a partnership with iM Global Partner (announced 2019), and the firm's role as the Southeastern lead for the Schwab Advisor Network. The firm is employee-controlled with no parent company, no external funding rounds, and no IPO history.

Name

Scharf Investments

Legal name

Scharf Investments, LLC

Website

https://scharfinvestments.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Scharf Investments is a California-based registered investment advisor founded in 1983, managing approximately $4.2–4.5B in assets using a proprietary MAP screen to deliver concentrated quality value strategies to high-net-worth individuals, family offices, institutions, and financial advisors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Investment Management

NAICS

Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940), Open-End Investment Funds (52591)

SIC

Investment Advice (6282)

akta.pro primary industry

Portfolio Construction & Asset Allocation Advisory (FSAEAAAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Private Client/High-Net-Worth Advisory (FSAEAAAN), Advisory Portfolio Management (Non-Discretionary) (FSAAABAD)

Keywords

• Value investing strategies
• Investment management services
• Private wealth management
• Mutual fund management
• Institutional asset management

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Gatos

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Investment Advisory Fees: Scharf Investments generates revenue through investment advisory fees charged to clients for portfolio management services. The firm manages assets under management (AUM) of approximately $4.2-4.5 billion, with fees based on assets under management.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Scharf Investments is a registered investment advisor that delivers quality value investment management across multiple equity, multi-asset, global, and growth strategies, supplemented by private wealth management and institutional investment management services. The firm's offering is anchored by its proprietary Multi-factor Analytical Performance (MAP) screen, which filters the investable universe down to concentrated 25-35 holding portfolios, and includes actively managed mutual funds and comprehensive financial, tax, and estate planning services for high-net-worth and institutional clients.

Product overview

Scharf Investments is a registered investment advisor offering a unified quality value investment platform with multiple strategy modules and services. The core offering consists of the Scharf Core Equity Strategy, Scharf Quality Value Strategy, Scharf Multi-Asset Strategy, Scharf Global Opportunity Strategy, and Scharf Growth Strategy—all powered by the proprietary Multi-factor Analytical Performance (MAP) screen. The firm also manages Scharf Mutual Funds (including the Scharf Fund launched in 2011) and provides Private Wealth Management and Institutional Investment Management services. ESG and Sustainability Services are integrated across all investment strategies. The products work together as a cohesive investment platform where the MAP screen filters over 1,700 stocks down to 25-35 portfolio holdings based on quantitative and qualitative criteria.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Scharf Quality Value Strategy: The flagship equity strategy focusing on quality companies at attractive valuations
• Scharf Multi-Asset Strategy
• Scharf Global Opportunity Strategy
• Scharf Growth Strategy

Products and services

• Scharf Core Equity Strategy Flagship quality value equity strategy using the proprietary MAP screen to identify high-quality stocks with sustainable earnings and strong valuations, available through separately managed accounts for institutional and high-net-worth clients.
• Scharf Quality Value Strategy Quality value investing strategy targeting attractively priced companies with compelling valuations, offered to advisors and institutional clients.
• Scharf Multi-Asset Strategy Multi-asset investment approach spanning various market caps, styles, and geographies with a 40+ year track record, available to institutional and private wealth clients.
• Scharf Global Opportunity Strategy Global investment strategy seeking compelling opportunities across international markets, offered to institutional and private wealth clients.
• Scharf Growth Strategy Growth-oriented investment strategy focused on companies with strong growth potential, available to institutional and private wealth clients.
• Scharf Mutual Funds Actively managed mutual funds utilizing the firm's quality value investment strategy, including the Scharf Fund launched in 2011, with $5,000–$10,000 minimums for early stage investors and available through ScharfFunds.com.
• Private Wealth Management Comprehensive wealth management services including investment management, financial planning, tax planning, estate planning, and retirement planning for high-net-worth individuals and families.
• Institutional Investment Management Investment management solutions for institutional clients including endowments, foundations, and corporations, delivered through separately managed accounts and mutual fund vehicles.
• ESG and Sustainability Services ESG integration into investment analysis using MSCI research, portfolio monitoring, and active ownership engagement, aligned with UN PRI principles across all investment strategies.

Quantifiable outcome

• Core Equity and Balanced accounts have outperformed their relevant benchmarks since inception
• +1 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (UN PRI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2022Scharf Investments became a signatory to the UN PRI in February 2022. The firm fully supports the six PRI principles including incorporating ESG issues into investment analysis, active ownership practices, seeking appropriate ESG disclosure from investee companies, and reporting on ESG activities.
• iM Global PartnercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019In 2019, Scharf Investments announced a strategic partnership with iM Global Partner. This partnership represents a significant strategic relationship for the firm, providing access to additional resources and distribution capabilities.
• Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerScharf Investments supports TCFD and aligns with its framework for climate-related financial risk disclosure.
• Sempervirens FundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerScharf Investments is a proud donor and long-time supporter of the Sempervirens Fund, which protects redwood forests in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The firm co-sponsored a webinar on tax-efficient planned giving strategies and maintains an ongoing community partnership.
• Community OrganizationsminorOthersScharf Investments supports community organizations including Monterey Peninsula Foundation, Santa Cruz Rotary Club, Boy and Girls Club, Hope Services, and Catholic School Foundation. The firm integrates philanthropy and community service as core values.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Harris Associates (Oakmark Funds): Chicago-based value manager running the Oakmark Funds family and institutional mandates with concentrated, conviction-weighted portfolios. Closely comparable investment philosophy and mutual fund/SMA product mix, though at materially larger AUM scale.
• Ariel Investments: Chicago-based value-oriented boutique manager with mutual funds, SMAs, and institutional accounts emphasizing downside protection and long-term ownership. Comparable on investment philosophy, client segmentation, and active value discipline at similar scale.
• Jensen Investment Management: Portland-based quality-focused manager running the Jensen Portfolio mutual fund and institutional mandates. Directly comparable on quality-value philosophy, mutual fund focus, and similar sub-$10B AUM RIA structure; Scharf's Director of Marketing previously led marketing at Jensen.
• Tweedy, Browne Company: Long-tenured global and international value manager running mutual funds and institutional accounts with a deep-value, low-turnover approach. Directly comparable on value discipline, long-term horizon, and the combination of mutual fund and institutional offerings.
• Longleaf Partners (Southeastern Asset Management): Value-oriented active manager operating mutual funds and institutional accounts with concentrated, low-turnover portfolios and a long-term horizon philosophy. Highly comparable in AUM scale (multi-billion), concentrated portfolio construction, and value-with-quality discipline.
• Yacktman Asset Management: Texas-based quality-value manager running the Yacktman Funds and institutional mandates with concentrated, large-cap value portfolios. Comparable on quality-value philosophy, mutual fund structure, and long-term holding orientation.
• Dodge & Cox: San Francisco-based value-oriented investment manager with long-tenured mutual funds and institutional strategies. Most directly comparable to Scharf on philosophy (quality value, downside-risk focus), client base, and California RIA heritage; President Brian Krawez is a former Dodge & Cox research analyst.
• Fairholme Capital Management: Florida-based concentrated value manager running the Fairholme Fund and institutional mandates with deep-value, active ownership orientation. Comparable on concentrated, contrarian value approach and mutual fund distribution; Scharf's COO previously held operations and compliance roles at Fairholme.
• Polen Capital: Florida-based boutique active manager running concentrated, high-conviction equity strategies for institutional and intermediary clients. Scharf's Head Trader previously worked at Polen Capital; comparable on concentrated-portfolio approach and similar boutique RIA scale.

Broad incumbents

• Artisan Partners: Public, multi-boutique asset manager offering a broad suite of actively managed equity, fixed income, and alternative strategies through institutional and intermediary channels. Comparable as a multi-strategy active manager platform with high-conviction sleeves, but materially larger and broader than Scharf's focused offering.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Scharf Investments