Small/Mid Cap Core

Smaller, less visible companies with unique business concepts or niche products are often reasonably priced and ripe for growth. Eagle's Small/Mid Cap Core team views investment decisions as if we were private buyers of a company. In other words, we want to own businesses (not just their numbers), which means focusing on firms that maintain sustainable competitive advantages within their industry.

Affiliated Mutual Fund


Portfolio Characteristics

Typical market capitalization Benchmark Account Minimum Typical turnover Typical Number
of holdings
$500 million to $7 billion Russell 2500 Index $100,000 Typically less than 150% 50 to 70

Quarterly Performance1 (as of December 30, 2011)

  1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr Annual Russell
  Gross Net Gross Net Gross Net Gross Net Gross Net 2500
2000 12.53% 12.00% -1.00% -1.46% 1.82% 1.33% 3.25% 2.75% 17.12% 14.91% 4.27%
2001 -6.22% -6.70% 15.29% 14.71% -11.64% -12.10% 18.12% 17.51% 12.84% 10.55% 1.22%
2002 4.82% 4.24% -9.48% -9.98% -14.87% -15.42% 1.27% 0.75% -18.20% -20.04% -17.78%
2003 -1.77% -2.27% 14.13% 13.57% 3.40% 2.89% 11.93% 11.37% 29.75% 27.18% 45.50%
2004 4.19% 3.69% 2.25% 1.74% 0.74% 0.23% 12.32% 11.76% 20.54% 18.17% 18.30%
2005 -1.74% -2.21% 3.93% 3.43% 6.78% 6.31% 3.49% 2.98% 12.85% 10.73% 8.09%
2006 7.61% 7.18% -2.93% -3.33% 0.01% -0.42% 5.30% 4.87% 10.01% 8.20% 16.17%
2007 4.67% 4.24% 9.06% 8.63% 2.44% 2.04% 0.86% 0.47% 17.94% 16.09% 1.38%
2008 -11.00% -11.36% 3.55% 3.14% -10.42% -10.76% -21.11% -21.44% -34.87% -35.91% -36.78%
2009 -10.72% -11.07% 15.50% 15.07% 12.82% 12.40% 6.15% 5.76% 23.49% 21.65% 34.38%
2010 4.82% 4.44% -7.97% -8.29% 10.55% 10.16% 14.67% 14.28% 22.29% 20.58% 26.70%
2011 7.99% 7.62% -1.73% -2.07% -20.30% -20.57% 10.07% 9.69% -6.91% -8.17% -2.51%

Compounded, Annualized Rates of Return Net of Fees (as of December 30, 2011)

Year Percentage $100,000 Compounded
1 -8.17% $91,829
3 10.44% $134,694
5 0.04% $100,220
10 3.74% $144,309
Since Inception (July 1, 1997) 7.27% $276,752



Risk Information

The risks associated with investing in small- and mid-sized companies are based on the premise that relatively small companies will increase their earnings and grow into larger, more valuable companies. However, as with all equity investing, there is the risk that a company will not achieve its expected earnings results, or that an unexpected change in the market or within the company will occur, both of which may adversely affect investment results. Historically, small- and mid-cap stocks have experienced greater volatility than other equity asset classes, and they may be less liquid than large-cap stocks. Thus, relative to larger, more liquid stocks, investing in small- and mid-cap stocks involves potentially greater volatility and risk. The biggest risk of equity investing is that returns can fluctuate and investors can lose money.

Not every investment opportunity will meet all of the stringent investment criteria mentioned to the same degree. Trade-offs must be made, which is where experience and judgment play a key role. Accounts are invested at the discretion of the portfolio manager and may take up to 60 days to become fully invested.

Disclosures

(1) The calculation of the performance data includes reinvestment of all income and gains and is depicted on a time-weighted and size-weighted average for the entire period. Calculations include reinvestment of all income and gains. Performance is shown before (gross) and after (net) the deduction of both management fees and transaction costs. Performance figures include all of Eagle’s retail managed accounts. All composite performance data through 2010 have been verified by an internationally recognized accounting firm. Performance data for the current year have not been audited and are subject to revision. No inference should be drawn by present or prospective clients that managed accounts will achieve similar investment performance in the future. Because accounts are individually managed, returns for separate accounts may be higher or lower than the average performance stated above.

Investing in equities may result in a loss of capital.