Sound Shore, with a total headcount in the teens, offers only one approach, the moderate-value strategy that its founders installed decades ago. The firm offers one mutual fund, Sound Shore SSHFX, and also has many institutional accounts that rely on the same general approach. The mutual fund made up about USD 1.0 billion of the firm's USD 3.6 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2024. Like most actively managed funds, this one had suffered from outflows, but those have moderated; early 2024 saw modest inflows.
Although founding investors Harry Burn and Gibbs Kane still lead the firm and are listed managers on the mutual fund, a gradual succession process has long been in place. John DeGulis was promoted from analyst to manager about two decades ago and now plays a major role in investment decisions. He is well qualified to serve as lead manager should Burn and Kane, who are well past conventional retirement age, step aside. In addition, three veteran analysts have key responsibilities: two serve on the investment committee, and the third heads up the ESG committee. Two other analysts have also joined recently.
Retention rates are high; the managers, longtime analysts, and several others all have equity stakes in the firm