Akre Focus: A 2.1% Flutter?

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Right. So, Capital Planning LLC decided to throw a little over $7 million at the Akre Focus ETF. Eleven-thousand-something shares. Sounds… deliberate. I mean, people don’t usually just accidentally commit that kind of money, do they? It’s like when you tell yourself you’re only browsing, and then suddenly you’re filling a basket with things you absolutely don’t need. Except this is someone else’s money, which makes it slightly less relatable, and significantly more interesting.

What’s the Story?

Basically, Capital Planning dipped its toe into the AKRE pool on January 22nd. A $7.45 million splash. It’s not exactly changing the world, but it’s enough to make you raise an eyebrow. Especially when you consider what else they’re holding. I’ve been looking at their 13F filings – a truly thrilling way to spend an evening, honestly – and it’s mostly the usual suspects. Index funds, growth ETFs… safe bets. Which makes this AKRE move… a bit of a rogue choice, doesn’t it?

The Numbers Game

This 2.1% stake in AKRE represents a tiny sliver of their total assets under management. A little sprinkle of spice in a very bland portfolio. It’s like adding a single chili pepper to a vat of mashed potatoes. You’re not going to set the world on fire, but you might just make someone sit up and notice.

Their top holdings, for context? IVV at $45.79 million, MSFT at $26.21 million, PWR and SCHG both at $26.05 and $25.64 million respectively, and DGRO at $16.68 million. Solid. Predictable. And then… AKRE. It’s the unexpected guest at a very polite dinner party.

As of January 23rd, AKRE was trading at $62.64 – down 11% from its October listing. A bit bruised, perhaps, but still… interesting.

What is Akre Focus, Anyway?

Okay, so AKRE. It’s a fund that likes to play with equities – US ones, mostly. Common stock, preferred stock, warrants, options… the whole shebang. They’re all about quality, shareholder returns, strong management, and reinvestment. Basically, they want companies that know what they’re doing and aren’t afraid to spend money to make more. Sounds sensible, doesn’t it? Although, honestly, ‘sensible’ rarely makes anyone rich.

They’re targeting institutional and retail investors. Which means they’re trying to appeal to everyone. A bold strategy. I usually find that trying to please everyone ends up pleasing no one. But hey, maybe they’ll pull it off.

What Does This Mean?

Here’s the thing. Capital Planning isn’t exactly known for taking wild risks. They’re a pragmatic bunch. So, this AKRE allocation feels… intentional. Like they’re saying, “Okay, we’ve got our safe bets covered. Now let’s throw a little something at a potentially high-growth, concentrated strategy.” It’s a small percentage, yes, but it suggests they believe stock selection can still add value. And in this market? That’s a surprisingly optimistic view.

AKRE runs a tight ship. A small number of businesses, chosen for their durability, strong leadership, and ability to reinvest profits. Mastercard, Brookfield, Constellation Software, Visa, Moody’s… these are names that suggest pricing power and capital-light growth. It’s a portfolio that feels… curated. Which is nice, I suppose. But curation can also be a fancy word for ‘expensive.’

The expense ratio is 0.98%. Not outrageous, but not cheap either. And the fund has a decent track record – 15.5% annualized returns over three years. Although, past performance is never a guarantee of future results, is it? It’s the financial equivalent of saying, “I swear I’ve changed!”

Interestingly, AKRE was a mutual fund for over a decade before becoming an ETF in late 2025. So, it’s not a brand-new operation. It has a history. A backstory. Which, let’s be honest, makes it slightly more trustworthy. We all like a good origin story.

Overall, this move feels like a calculated gamble. A small allocation to a concentrated ETF, against a backdrop of low-cost index exposure. It suggests Capital Planning believes that stock selection can still add value, even in a world dominated by passive investing. And honestly? That’s a view I can get behind. Even if it does feel a little bit reckless.

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2026-02-02 13:15