Stout ESOP Index

ESOP-owned companies generated an 18.1% annual return in 2025, which outperformed both the S&P 500 and Russell 2000 Indexes over the same period.

September 15, 2026

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Stout is proud to release the second annual publication of the Stout ESOP Index, which offers insight into equity returns from Stout’s valuation portfolio of 350+ ESOP companies relative to publicly traded benchmarks. We hope you find this edition of the Stout ESOP Index to be a valuable resource for understanding the evolving landscape of employee ownership and market performance.

We welcome the opportunity to connect and encourage you to reach out if you would like to discuss our findings, explore current industry trends, or learn more about how Stout’s ESOP Advisory practice can support your organization’s goals.

Overview for This Edition

Methodology and Purpose
Overall Results
Results by Size
Results by Industry / Maturity
Stout ESOP Practice Overview

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This index is provided for general informational purposes only. The information included may not be representative of all ESOP-owned companies, and the results should not be interpreted as indicative of the performance or value of any particular company. This index does not constitute investment, valuation, legal, tax, or other professional advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for an independent assessment of any particular company’s circumstances. No representation or warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of the information presented.