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Chesley, Taft & Associates, LLC
Faris F. Chesley · Investment Advisor · Value
Chesley, Taft & Associates, LLC (CTA) is a Chicago-based, employee-owned investment management firm founded in 2001 by Faris Chesley and A. Richard Taft. The firm specializes in providing customized investment strategies and comprehensive financial planning services to high-net-worth individuals, families, and institutional clients, including trusts, charitable foundations, and retirement plans. With a team of portfolio managers averaging over 35 years of industry experience, CTA emphasizes a collaborative, fiduciary-driven approach to wealth management. The firm is recognized for its independent and objective advice, managing approximately $2.8 billion in assets as of late 2024. By focusing on deep personal relationships and personalized portfolio construction, the firm helps its clients navigate complex market cycles and achieve long-term financial objectives.
Simulated Performance
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total return | +11.2% |
| YTD return | +6.6% |
| Sharpe ratio | 2.72 |
| Win rate | 45% |
| AUM | $1.2B |
| Inception | Oct 1, 2025 |
| Updated | Sep 18, 2026 |
Institution Status
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| AUM | $1.2B |
| Turnover | Low (<15%) |
| Avg holding | 18 Months |
| Inception | Oct 1, 2025 |
| Website | https://www.chesleytaft.com/ |
Current Holdings
Updated on Sep 18, 2026.
| Ticker | Name | Portfolio % | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| GOOGL | Alphabet Inc Class A | 14.5% | +34.9% |
| MSFT | Microsoft Corporation | 9.0% | -0.5% |
| NVDA | NVIDIA Corporation | 8.6% | +14.9% |
| AAPL | Apple Inc | 7.7% | +28.3% |
| AMZN | Amazon.com Inc | 7.3% | +10.8% |
| AVGO | Broadcom Inc | 6.6% | +5.2% |
| PANW | Palo Alto Networks Inc | 5.3% | +50.6% |
| JPM | JPMorgan Chase & Co | 5.1% | +12.1% |
| COST | Costco Wholesale Corp | 5.0% | -3.9% |
| JNJ | Johnson & Johnson | 4.7% | +33.8% |
| V | Visa Inc. Class A | 3.8% | +6.0% |
| SYK | Stryker Corporation | 3.2% | -22.8% |
| CB | Chubb Ltd | 3.0% | +15.9% |
| APH | Amphenol Corporation | 2.8% | +17.4% |
| ABT | Abbott Laboratories | 2.5% | +7.6% |
| MA | Mastercard Inc | 2.4% | +0.4% |
| AXP | American Express Company | 2.2% | +2.2% |
| TMO | Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc | 2.2% | +14.6% |
| RTX | Raytheon Technologies Corp | 2.1% | -3.2% |
| META | Meta Platforms Inc. | 2.1% | +2.4% |
Recent activity
| Date | Action | Ticker | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 14, 2026 | BUY | JPM | 5.1% → 5.1% |
| Sep 14, 2026 | BUY | NVDA | 8.9% → 8.6% |
| Sep 14, 2026 | SELL | COF | 2.0% → 0.0% |
| Sep 14, 2026 | BUY | RTX | 2.1% → 2.1% |
| Sep 14, 2026 | BUY | AMZN | 7.2% → 7.3% |
Investment Style Analysis
Chesley, Taft & Associates, LLC is widely recognized for employing a Value strategy. As of Sep 18, 2026, the firm oversees approximately $1.2B in assets under management (AUM). The portfolio demonstrates a clear preference for the Internet Content & Information and Semiconductors sectors, reflecting a high-conviction approach to capital allocation.
Recent Market Moves
During the latest rebalancing period ending Sep 14, Chesley, Taft & Associates, LLC made a significant move by increasing exposure to JPM. This adjustment aligns with the fund's dynamic approach to risk management and capital deployment in current market conditions.
Investment Philosophy
Chesley, Taft & Associates follows a long-term investment philosophy focused on identifying high-quality companies with consistent earnings and reasonable market valuations. Their equity selection process targets industry leaders with high barriers to entry and sustainable patterns of revenue and earnings growth, rather than participating in short-term market speculation. The firm utilizes an 'expert-driven' method where seasoned portfolio managers share diverse perspectives to build uniquely tailored portfolios for each client. Fixed income is managed with the primary goal of risk control and income enhancement, carefully balanced against current interest rates and economic conditions. This disciplined approach ensures that portfolios are robust, tax-efficient, and aligned with each client's specific wealth preservation and growth goals.
Disclaimer
The content provided on this page, including the simulated portfolio performance, holdings analysis, and AI-generated insights, is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice, investment recommendations, or an offer to buy or sell any securities. All data is derived from historical SEC 13F filings and other public disclosures, which have a reporting lag. The "Simulated Performance" is a hypothetical reconstruction based on past disclosures and does not represent the actual returns of the institution. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Tritonix.ai is not affiliated with Chesley, Taft & Associates, LLC.
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Frequently asked questions
How is the simulated portfolio for Chesley, Taft & Associates, LLC constructed?
This simulation is powered by Tritonix AI using official SEC filings. We focus on the "Best Ideas" by filtering for only the Top 20 largest holdings and rebalancing them to 100%. The simulation tracks performance starting from Oct 1, 2025. Our AI monitors for updates every Monday to capture major shifts. This concentrated approach highlights the manager's true stock-picking skill and mirrors their actual investment returns.
What is Chesley, Taft & Associates, LLC's largest holding?
As of the latest filing, Chesley, Taft & Associates, LLC's top position is Alphabet Inc Class A (GOOGL), representing 14.5% of the portfolio. This reflects a high-conviction bet by the institution.
What is Chesley, Taft & Associates, LLC's historical performance and risk profile?
Our simulation indicates a total return of +11.2% with a win rate of 45%. Notably, the portfolio maintains a Sharpe Ratio of 2.72, suggesting an excellent level of risk-adjusted returns compared to the broader market.
What sectors does Chesley, Taft & Associates, LLC primarily invest in?
Chesley, Taft & Associates, LLC has a strong preference for the Internet Content & Information sector, which makes up 16.6% of their disclosed assets. The portfolio also has exposure to Semiconductors, indicating a specific thematic focus.
Is Chesley, Taft & Associates, LLC's portfolio concentrated or diversified?
Chesley, Taft & Associates, LLC runs a moderately concentrated portfolio with 20 disclosed positions. The top 3 holdings alone account for 32.2% of the total portfolio weight, suggesting a strategy that favors broader market exposure.
How has Chesley, Taft & Associates, LLC performed in 2026?
Our AI-simulated model portfolio for Chesley, Taft & Associates, LLC tracks a Year-to-Date (YTD) return of +6.6%. This metric helps investors gauge the institution's effectiveness in the current market environment.
Does Faris F. Chesley manage Chesley, Taft & Associates, LLC directly?
Yes, Faris F. Chesley serves as the key portfolio manager for Chesley, Taft & Associates, LLC, overseeing the investment strategy and final capital allocation decisions.