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Rice Hall James & Associates, LLC
Thao N. Buuhoan · Asset Manager · Growth
Rice Hall James & Associates, LLC is an independent, employee-owned investment management firm founded in 1974 and headquartered in San Diego, California. The firm specializes in managing micro-, small-, and SMID-cap equity portfolios for a broad range of institutional and private clients, including pension funds, endowments, and foundations. With a legacy spanning over five decades, Rice Hall James focuses on delivering long-term capital appreciation through a disciplined investment process. The institution is known for its stability, experienced investment teams, and a commitment to providing high-quality client service while maintaining a culture of independent thinking and fundamental analysis.
Simulated Performance
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total return | +23.8% |
| YTD return | +10.4% |
| Sharpe ratio | 3.03 |
| Win rate | 57% |
| AUM | $0.8B |
| Inception | Oct 1, 2025 |
| Updated | Sep 11, 2026 |
Institution Status
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| AUM | $0.8B |
| Turnover | Low (<15%) |
| Avg holding | 18 Months |
| Inception | Oct 1, 2025 |
| Website | https://www.ricehalljames.com |
Current Holdings
Updated on Sep 11, 2026.
| Ticker | Name | Portfolio % | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| LGND | Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated | 9.6% | +46.7% |
| ACIW | ACI Worldwide Inc | 6.6% | +5.8% |
| ARLO | Arlo Technologies | 6.3% | -12.9% |
| KNSA | Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals Ltd | 6.1% | +35.8% |
| ZD | Ziff Davis Inc | 5.7% | +30.5% |
| XPO | XPO Logistics Inc | 5.3% | +21.0% |
| ESTA | Establishment Labs Holdings Inc | 5.1% | +45.4% |
| FOUR | Shift4 Payments Inc | 5.0% | -21.5% |
| ASND | Ascendis Pharma AS | 4.9% | +6.2% |
| DFIN | Donnelley Financial Solutions Inc | 4.9% | -2.6% |
| LRN | Stride Inc | 4.6% | -1.9% |
| PBH | Prestige Brand Holdings Inc | 4.5% | -19.1% |
| FN | Fabrinet | 4.4% | -9.3% |
| WEX | Wex Inc | 4.3% | +29.6% |
| GDDY | Godaddy Inc | 4.1% | +22.9% |
| MEDP | Medpace Holdings Inc | 4.0% | +27.5% |
| G | Genpact Limited | 3.9% | +3.3% |
| AWI | Armstrong World Industries Inc | 3.8% | -13.0% |
| WIX | Wix.Com Ltd | 3.7% | +2.7% |
| AGM | Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation | 3.3% | -0.6% |
Recent activity
| Date | Action | Ticker | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 7, 2026 | SELL | FN | 4.6% → 4.4% |
| Sep 7, 2026 | BUY | AGM | 0.0% → 3.3% |
| Sep 7, 2026 | BUY | G | 3.9% → 3.9% |
| Sep 7, 2026 | SELL | ZD | 5.7% → 5.7% |
| Sep 7, 2026 | SELL | PBH | 4.5% → 4.5% |
Investment Style Analysis
Rice Hall James & Associates, LLC is widely recognized for employing a Growth strategy. As of Sep 11, 2026, the firm oversees approximately $0.8B in assets under management (AUM). The portfolio demonstrates a clear preference for the Software - Infrastructure and Biotechnology sectors, reflecting a high-conviction approach to capital allocation.
Recent Market Moves
During the latest rebalancing period ending Sep 7, Rice Hall James & Associates, LLC made a significant move by reducing the position in FN. This adjustment aligns with the fund's dynamic approach to risk management and capital deployment in current market conditions.
Investment Philosophy
The firm's investment philosophy is rooted in a bottom-up, fundamental research-driven approach aimed at identifying undervalued or undiscovered growth companies before they are recognized by the broader market. Specifically focused on the micro- to SMID-cap universe, Rice Hall James seeks companies with unique business concepts or niche products that possess the potential for significant long-term appreciation. The investment process emphasizes intensive internal research and a disciplined risk control framework, avoiding momentum-driven trends in favor of deep individual stock selection and long-term holding periods to generate alpha for its clients.
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 Rice Hall James & Associates, LLC.
Similar Investment Style
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Frequently asked questions
How is the simulated portfolio for Rice Hall James & 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 Rice Hall James & Associates, LLC's largest holding?
As of the latest filing, Rice Hall James & Associates, LLC's top position is Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (LGND), representing 9.6% of the portfolio. This reflects a high-conviction bet by the institution.
What is Rice Hall James & Associates, LLC's historical performance and risk profile?
Our simulation indicates a total return of +23.8% with a win rate of 57%. Notably, the portfolio maintains a Sharpe Ratio of 3.03, suggesting an exceptional level of risk-adjusted returns compared to the broader market.
What sectors does Rice Hall James & Associates, LLC primarily invest in?
Rice Hall James & Associates, LLC has a strong preference for the Software - Infrastructure sector, which makes up 23.6% of their disclosed assets. The portfolio also has exposure to Biotechnology, indicating a specific thematic focus.
Is Rice Hall James & Associates, LLC's portfolio concentrated or diversified?
Rice Hall James & Associates, LLC runs a moderately concentrated portfolio with 20 disclosed positions. The top 3 holdings alone account for 22.4% of the total portfolio weight, suggesting a strategy that favors broader market exposure.
How has Rice Hall James & Associates, LLC performed in 2026?
Our AI-simulated model portfolio for Rice Hall James & Associates, LLC tracks a Year-to-Date (YTD) return of +10.4%. This metric helps investors gauge the institution's effectiveness in the current market environment.
Does Thao N. Buuhoan manage Rice Hall James & Associates, LLC directly?
Yes, Thao N. Buuhoan serves as the key portfolio manager for Rice Hall James & Associates, LLC, overseeing the investment strategy and final capital allocation decisions.