John Rogers' Ariel Capital Management recognized as top fund management firm

Jet, April 8, 2002

USA Today recently spotlighted John W. Rogers, Jr., chairman and CEO of Chicago-based Ariel Capital Management, one of the largest Black-owned fund management firms in America, as a "most valuable player" and "all-star manager."

Ariel finished second, with John W. Rogers, Jr. a total return of 16.7 percent, in the publication's top 25 ranking of All-Star funds since March of last year. "They turned in gains over the past 12 months by choosing value stocks-beaten-up stocks Wall Street loathes," according to USA Today, which added that finding stock bargains in 2002 will be a challenge.

Rogers, 43, is among the nation's most successful investors. Since founding Ariel Capital Management Inc. in 1983 with the motto: "Slow and steady wins the race," the Princeton University graduate's firm has grown from 2 to 50 employees with over $8 billion in assets under management.

Last year he told JET (December 10, 2001): "If you have lost money in a fund and feel that fund is being managed by an experienced portfolio manager, I would stick with it. Stay the course."

"The most successful investors are those who have the ability to go against the grain and buy when others are selling and sell when others are buying," he added.

Ariel Capital Management Inc. is investment adviser to the top-rated Ariel Mutual Funds. In addition, it manages separate equity portfolios for institutional clients that include Great-West Life Assurance Co., The Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), United Airlines, Inc., W.K. Kellogg Foundation Trust and California State Teachers' Retirement System.