COMPANIES

Dodge & Cox

Office address: 555 California Street, 40th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94104
Website: dodgeandcox.com
Year established: 1930
Company type: financial services
Employees: 370+ (2024)
Expertise: US equity, global equity, international equity, emerging markets equity, fixed income, core fixed income, intermediate fixed income, balanced account management, liability hedging, stable value
Parent company: N/A
Key people: Roger Kuo (CEO as of 2026); David Hoeft (chair as of 2026); Lucy Johns, Ray Mertens, and Phil Barret (investment committee members); Hallie Marshall (COO); Katherine Primas (chief compliance officer)
Financing status: independently owned/employee-owned

Dodge & Cox (D&C) is an independently owned investment management firm based in San Francisco. With more than $400 billion AUM as of 2024, the firm offers seven actively managed, no-load mutual funds with low expense ratios. It serves individuals, institutions, family offices, and non-profit organizations across the US and globally.

History of Dodge & Cox

D&C was founded in San Francisco in 1930 by Van Duyn Dodge and E. Morris Cox. The firm grew out of the founders' frustration with the conflicts of interest in the investment world at the time.

Dodge & Cox was designed to put clients and community ahead of itself from day one. The company was built on independent ownership, integrity, and a team-based approach meant to last for generations.

Building a legacy over nine decades

Dodge & Cox has stayed true to that founding vision for more than 90 years. The firm has grown from its San Francisco roots into one of the world's largest independently owned investment managers.

It manages money for individuals and institutions globally with a single investment philosophy. According to the firm, it has never chased short-term trends or flashy marketing, focusing instead on deep research and long-term value.

Dodge & Cox's community initiatives

D&C has also been active in the San Francisco community since the late 1930s. Van Duyn Dodge co-founded Coro, a fellowship for citizen leaders, while E. Morris Cox led Community Chest, now the United Way Bay Area. Today, the firm supports non-profits focused on youth education and global relief efforts.

A consistent approach in a changing world

D&C has kept its investment approach steady even as markets and regulations have shifted. In 2012, the firm joined the Principles for Responsible Investment to strengthen its ESG focus.

When the DOL's ESG rule survived a court challenge in 2023, , Dodge & Cox Stock Fund was cited as a mainstream fund that weighs ESG factors without being labeled as one. The firm still views ESG as part of sound long-term investing, regardless of regulatory changes.

Dodge & Cox products and services

Dodge & Cox offers actively managed, no-load funds with some of the industry's lowest expense ratios:

Mutual funds

  • Stock Fund (DODGX | DOXGX): diversified portfolio of US equity securities
  • Global Stock Fund (DODWX | DOXWX): mix of US and non-US equities
  • International Stock Fund (DODFX | DOXFX): diversified portfolio of non-US equities
  • Emerging Markets Stock Fund (DODEX): equities from emerging market countries
  • Balanced Fund (DODBX | DOXBX): blend of equity and debt securities
  • Income Fund (DODIX | DOXIX): high-quality bonds and other debt securities
  • Global Bond Fund (DODLX | DOXLX): bonds from at least three countries

Separate account strategies

  • US equity: US stocks with attractive valuations
  • core fixed income: investment-grade fixed income securities
  • intermediate fixed income: investment-grade intermediate-term bond portfolios
  • liability hedging: customized portfolios to hedge liability cash flows
  • stable value: tailored portfolios for specific mandate requirements
  • balanced: allocation between equity and fixed income

Client services

  • private client accounts: managed accounts for high-net-worth individuals
  • institutional separate accounts: tailored portfolios for institutions and endowments

Investors can access these funds directly, through financial advisors, or via brokerage platforms. D&C's Private Client Team also offers personalized portfolios for high-net-worth individuals and families.

Culture and corporate values

Dodge & Cox states that collaboration has been central to its culture since its founding. The firm empowers employees to think independently while fostering inclusivity and collegiality. According to the company, six core values guide how it operates:

  • integrity
  • client alignment
  • patience and persistence
  • collaboration and team decision-making
  • individual accountability
  • continuous improvement

D&C states employees work in a diverse, professional, and respectful environment. The firm provides several employee benefits:

  • hybrid work model: in-office Monday through Thursday with remote option on Fridays
  • healthcare coverage: 100 percent of premiums paid for employees and families
  • retirement plan: fully funded at 25 percent of total compensation
  • insurance: life and disability coverage included in the benefits package
  • wellness and support: health and wellness, backup care, employee assistance programs
  • additional perks: commuter benefits and matching gift program
  • intern benefits: relocation package or housing for summer interns

The firm also encourages employees to give back to their communities. In 2024, Dodge & Cox and its staff supported over 170 non-profit organizations.

About CEO Roger Kuo and key people

Roger Kuo served as president of Dodge & Cox through 2025. He is CEO as of 2026, succeeding Dana Emery. Kuo has nearly 30 years at the firm and serves on the board and investment committee. He graduated from Harvard with a BA and MBA and holds the CFA designation.

Dodge & Cox's Board members and C-suite executives include:

  • David Hoeft serves as chief investment officer, bringing over 30 years of experience to the firm
  • Lucy Johns is director of fixed income, with more than two decades of expertise at Dodge & Cox
  • Ray Mertens works as investment committee member and global industry analyst, contributing 22 years of industry research expertise
  • Phil Barret serves as investment committee member and global industry analyst, joining the Emerging Markets committee in 2025
  • Hallie Marshall is COO, overseeing daily operations and business management at the firm
  • Katherine Primas works as chief compliance officer, managing regulatory and compliance matters for the firm

The company's Board is only the fifth in Dodge & Cox's more than 90-year history. Alongside the C-suite, they manage investment strategy, operations, and client service.

The future at Dodge & Cox

In 2025, Dodge & Cox started preparing for its sixth generation of leadership as CEO Dana Emery announced her retirement after 40 years. By 2026, Roger Kuo and David Hoeft would have taken over as CEO and chair, respectively, to continue the firm's tradition of promoting from within. This transition reflects D&C's focus on stability and long-term client service.

The latest Dodge & Cox news

Displaying 24 results
Dodge & Cox reveals CEO Dana Emery to step down
MUTUAL FUNDS JAN 10, 2025
Dodge & Cox reveals CEO Dana Emery to step down

The mutual fund giant's chair and chief executive is retiring after a lengthy 40-year tenure at the firm.

The DOL's ESG rule survived in court. Does it matter?
OPINION SEP 25, 2023
The DOL's ESG rule survived in court. Does it matter?

It could take a while for ESG to become more widely available in 401(k)s, even if the political focus on it dies down.

Support in some proxy votes falls amid record season
RIA NEWS JUL 14, 2022
Support in some proxy votes falls amid record season

It's not just BlackRock that is less supportive of shareholder proposals, Morningstar finds.

Most of the largest 401(k) funds are in the red this year on tech slump
EQUITIES FEB 19, 2022
Most of the largest 401(k) funds are in the red this year on tech slump

Of the 15 largest funds held in 401(k) plans, just one has a positive return for the year as of Thursday, according to data from Brightscope.

401(k) lawsuit alleges excessive adviser compensation
401(k) lawsuit alleges excessive adviser compensation

The defendants did not appear to solicit competitive bids for record-keeping services and allowed funds with high revenue-sharing to compensate service providers, according to the complaint.

Sutter Health hit with second lawsuit over $3.7 billion DC plan
Sutter Health hit with second lawsuit over $3.7 billion DC plan

The class-action cases point to allegedly excessive investment management fees

Amid media scrutiny over sexual harassment claims, Fidelity promotes women to higher positions
RIA NEWS NOV 26, 2018
Amid media scrutiny over sexual harassment claims, Fidelity promotes women to higher positions

Harassment allegations spur increase of female leadership in stock-picking unit

Many of the best financial jobs for women aren't on Wall Street
Many of the best financial jobs for women aren't on Wall Street

Asset managers with the highest share of female portfolio managers are located far from Manhattan

Full list of 2018 Lipper Fund Awards winners

An interactive list of all the funds honored, across all years of return and by category.

MUTUAL FUNDS FEB 06, 2018
How the biggest U.S. stock funds, ETFs fared in the market drop

Stocks took a beating in recent days amid concerns that a healthy economy could trigger higher inflation. Here's how the 50 largest funds, ranked by assets, performed. <b><i>(More: <a href=&quot;http://www.investmentnews.com/article/20180206/FREE/180209949/stock-market-sell-off-takeaways-to-share-with-clients&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;>Stock market sell-off: Takeaways to share with clients</a>)</b></i>

Best- and worst-performing equity mutual funds
ALTERNATIVES MAY 14, 2017
Best- and worst-performing equity mutual funds

See rankings of funds by returns in categories from large-cap growth to real estate and equity income.

EMERGING MARKETS MAY 14, 2017
Best- and worst-performing fixed-income funds

See rankings of funds by returns in categories from core bond to high yield and multisector income.