Polen Global Growth Strategy Sells Willis Towers Watson Stake After 2.5% Q4 Loss
Polen Global Growth Strategy exited its Willis Towers Watson stake in Q4 2025, citing concerns over a potential multi-year soft insurance market. The fund posted a -2.5% gross return in the quarter, underperforming the 3.3% MSCI All Country World Index rebound.
1. Stake Sale and Rationale
Polen Global Growth Strategy exited its position in Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company during Q4 2025, explaining that holding two insurance brokers was unjustified given its view that the insurance industry could enter a multi-year soft market period.
2. Fund Performance Overview
The Strategy returned -2.5% gross of fees (-2.7% net) in Q4 2025, underperforming the MSCI All Country World Index, which gained 3.3%, as the fund’s quality-heavy, software-biased portfolio lagged during the V-shaped market rebound from April lows.
3. WTW Stock Metrics and Hedge Fund Interest
On March 9, 2026, Willis Towers Watson shares closed at $294.67, posting a 1.69% one-month gain but a 9.75% drop over 52 weeks; 37 hedge funds held WTW at year-end versus 39 in the prior quarter.
4. Future Allocation Strategy
Should the insurance outlook improve, Polen plans to redeploy capital into Aon Plc, the market leader with a track record of navigating softer cycles effectively, while also favoring AI names for superior upside potential.