SMID Cap Strategy

  • Overview

    Overview

    We focus on high-quality business models and proven management teams for the companies we include in our portfolios. Our focus on quality businesses — in addition to strict adherence to our valuation discipline and careful portfolio construction — helps us achieve attractive risk-adjusted returns and long-term capital growth for investors.

     

    Investment Philosophy

    The team believes in three key principles:

    • Durable franchises differentiate themselves through long-term investment in their products and services, employees, community and culture
    • Such intangible investments are often misvalued as investors fail to recognize their resiliency
    • Consistent alpha is achieved using a repeatable process to identify such franchises, exploit periodic mispricing, and mitigate unpredictable macro-level risk in portfolio construction
     

    Investment Strategy1

    We are long-term investors, constructing portfolios of high-quality “blue chip” small-cap companies. Our approach focuses on identifying Durable Franchises, which are companies that have:

    • Defensible business models with differentiated products and services;
    • A conservative financial profile; and
    • Management teams that think and act for the long-term interests of all constituents.
     

    We create a Focus List which contains approved portfolio holdings and “bench” ideas. We establish and build positions when short-term investors fail to recognize the value of durable franchises.

     

    ESG Considerations

    • ESG analysis is integrated into our approach from initial company analysis and subsequently monitored throughout the investment’s life cycle.
    • We focus on materiality to determine what issues are most/least important for each company.
    • We seek to encourage companies to enhance their commitment to all stakeholders.
    • In addition to seeking out those companies that take into account the interest of all constituents, our sell discipline is also willing to consider divesting our portfolio of companies that have violated this responsibility.
     

    Results

    This disciplined investment strategy is designed to reduce the volatility inherent in the small- and mid-cap space. Over a full market cycle, the team would expect the portfolio to outperform the benchmark Russell 2500® Index with less risk and volatility.

    1Not 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 management team and may take up to 60 days to become fully invested.

    Portfolio Characteristics

    Typical Market Capitalization

    $500 million to $7 billion

    Benchmark

    Russell 2500® Index

    Account Minimum

    $100,000

    Typical Turnover

    Typically less than 50%

    Typical Number of Holdings

    50 to 70

    Index Definition
    Indices are unmanaged, and one cannot invest directly in an index.

    The Russell 2500® Index is made up of the 2,500 smallest companies in the Russell 3000® Index, representing approximately 17 percent of the Russell 3000 total market capitalization. The Index figures do not reflect any deduction for fees, expenses, trading costs or taxes.

    London Stock Exchange Group plc and its group undertakings (collectively, the “LSE Group”). © LSE Group 2023. FTSE Russell is a trading name of certain of the LSE Group companies. Russell® is a trade mark of the relevant LSE Group companies and is used by any other LSE Group company under license. All rights in the FTSE Russell indexes or data vest in the relevant LSE Group company which owns the index or the data. Neither LSE Group nor its licensors accept any liability for any errors or omissions in the indexes or data and no party may rely on any indexes or data contained in this communication. No further distribution of data from the LSE Group is permitted without the relevant LSE Group company’s express written consent. The LSE Group does not promote, sponsor or endorse the content of this communication.

  • ESG Considerations

    ESG Considerations

    Environmental, social, and governance considerations are an important part of the investment process. We believe these issues can have a meaningful impact on long-term performance and risk mitigation.

    • Companies with durable franchises are likely to outperform over the long-term
    • Short-term investors often fail to recognize the resiliency of such franchises
    • Process discipline and diversification ensures consistency of results
    • Investors and companies maximize value creation with a long-term perspective
     
    Sustainable Business Models

    Unique approaches to addressing stakeholder needs drives differentiation

    • Employee engagement and development
    • Diversity improves decision making
    • Community engagement builds loyalty
    • Environmental stewardship improves sustainability and opportunity

    Management with long-term strategy can take advantage of short-term challenges


    Source: In depth discussions with management and stakeholder

    ESG to Identify Risk

    Governance

    • Poor management and misaligned incentives
    • Poor capital allocation
    • Risk of fraud

    Social

    • Loss of talent and work stoppages
    • Risk of group think

    Environmental

    • Near term operational risk
    • Long-term threats to business model

    Source: Bloomberg, ISS ESG, Company Disclosure & SASBI

     

    Corporate Engagement

    Our investment team is committed to working with its portfolio companies to drive long-term value creation by encouraging actions that improve sustainability of the business, increase transparency, and balance capital allocation to maximize returns for all stakeholders.

    Active Owners
    • Long-term holders that understand all aspects of their business
    • Balance capital allocation across shareholder, returns, internal investment and mergers and acquisition to drive sustainably higher returns
    • Active and ongoing discussions with management teams to improve sustainability
      • Setting long-term objectives
      • Reducing pay gap and increasing diversity
      • Improve environmental track record
      • Dissolution of dual share classes
    • Encourage management to improve disclosure, including disclosure of environment and social data
    Proxy Voting

    We support shareholder resolutions that protect and/or enhance:

    • Shareholder rights
    • Improve corporate accountability
    • Increase transparency
    • Support diversity
    • Board independence
    • Protect the environment
    • Uphold human rights
    • Promote responsible business practices
     

    There is no guarantee that the investment goals/objectives will be met.

  • Investment Team

    SMID Cap Strategy Investment Team

    Jason Wulff

    Jason Wulff, CFA

    Portfolio Co-Manager

    23 Years Of Industry Experience

    9 Years With Eagle Asset Management

    Matthew McGeary

    Matthew McGeary, CFA

    Portfolio Co-Manager

    25 Years Of Industry Experience

    12 Years With Eagle Asset Management

    Matt Spitznagle

    Matthew Spitznagle, CFA

    Portfolio Co-Manager

    28 Years of Industry Experience

    12 Years With Eagle Asset Management

    E.G. Woods, CFA

    E.G. Woods, CFA

    Portfolio Co-Manager

    26 Years Of Industry Experience

    4 Years With Eagle Asset Management

    Alyssa Habig

    Alyssa Habig

    Research Analyst

    7 Years of Industry Experience

    2 Year With Eagle Asset Management

    Alex Mesisca, CFA

    Alex Mesisca, CFA

    Research Analyst

    6 Years of Industry Experience

    2 Year With Eagle Asset Management

    Ryan Nail, CFA

    Ryan Nail, CFA

    Client Portfolio Manager

    17 Years Of Industry Experience

    17 Years With Eagle Asset Management

  • Performance

    Performance1 as of Sept. 30, 2024

        Current
    Quarter
    Year
    to Date
    One
    Year
    Three
    Year
    Five
    Year
    10
    Year
    Since Inception
    (July 1, 1997)

    Eagle SMID Cap Strategy

    Gross

    8.21%

    5.32% 16.53% 2.12% 12.02% 11.64% 10.80%

    Eagle SMID Cap Strategy

    Net

    7.42% 2.99% 13.16% -0.87% 8.75% 8.38% 7.56%

    Russell 2500® Index

      8.75% 11.30% 26.175 3.47% 10.43% 9.50% 9.25%

    Calendar Year Returns1

        2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014
    Eagle SMID Cap Strategy Gross 15.76% -17.45% 28.56% 26.25% 33.59% -7.63% 20.57% 20.10% -5.68% 3.83%
    Eagle SMID Cap Strategy Net 12.38% -19.94% 24.83% 22.58% 29.72% -10.38% 17.05% 16.59% -8.43% 0.77%

    Russell 2500® Index

      17.42% -18.37% 18.17% 19.98% 27.74% -10.01% 16.83% 17.60% -3.16% 7.06%

    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 definition of the accounts included in the Eagle SMID Cap Strategy Composite is as follows:
    The Eagle SMID Cap Strategy Composite includes retail accounts that seek long-term appreciation through equity ownership of small-/mid-cap companies at a discount to what it perceives as fair market value.

    Past performance does not guarantee or indicate future results. No inference should be drawn by present or prospective clients that managed accounts will achieve similar performance in the future. Investment in a portfolio, investment manager or security should not be based on past performance alone. Because accounts are individually managed, returns for separate accounts may be higher or lower than the average performance stated. Individual portfolio/performance results may vary due to market conditions, trading costs and certain other factors, which may be unique to each account. There is no guarantee that these investment strategies will work under all market conditions, and each investor should evaluate their ability to invest for the long term, especially during periods of downturn in the market. Investing in equities may result in a loss of capital. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or a loss. Investment returns and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s portfolio, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Diversification does not ensure a profit or guarantee against a loss.

    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. Gross performance presented is "pure gross" and is shown before deduction of any fees. Net returns have been reduced by the entire bundled/wrap fee. The bundled/wrap fee will typically include trading, investment management, portfolio monitoring and other administrative fees charged by the sponsor. Eagle's fees are set forth in Eagle's ADV, Part II. Over a period of five years, an advisory fee of 1% could reduce the total value of a client's portfolio by 5% or more. Net returns are calculated using a max wrap fee of 3% for this strategy.

    GIPS® is a registered trademark of CFA Institute. CFA Institute does not endorse or promote this organization, nor does it warrant the accuracy or quality of the content contained herein. Eagle Asset Management, Inc. has received a firm-wide verification for the periods January 1, 1982 through December 31, 2022. Eagle believes that the performance shown is reasonably representative of its management style and is sufficiently relevant for consideration by a potential or existing client. Verification assesses whether (1) the firm has complied with all the composite construction requirements of the GIPS standards on a firm-wide basis and (2) the firm’s policies and procedures are designed to calculate and present performance in compliance with the GIPS standards. The verification and performance examination reports are available upon request.

    Eagle Asset Management, Inc. is an investment adviser registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is engaged in providing discretionary management services to client accounts. The benchmark is the Russell 2500® Index, which has been derived from published sources and has not been examined by independent accountants. 

    Currency: all monetary amounts displayed on this website are in U.S. dollars.

    To obtain a compliant presentation and/or the firm's list of composite descriptions, please contact Eagle Asset Management at 1.800.237.3101.

    Index Definition
    Indices are unmanaged, and one cannot invest directly in an index.

    The Russell 2500® Index is made up of the 2,500 smallest companies in the Russell 3000® Index, representing approximately 17 percent of the Russell 3000 total market capitalization. The Index figures do not reflect any deduction for fees, expenses, trading costs or taxes.

    London Stock Exchange Group plc and its group undertakings (collectively, the “LSE Group”). © LSE Group 2023. FTSE Russell is a trading name of certain of the LSE Group companies. Russell® is a trade mark of the relevant LSE Group companies and is used by any other LSE Group company under license. All rights in the FTSE Russell indexes or data vest in the relevant LSE Group company which owns the index or the data. Neither LSE Group nor its licensors accept any liability for any errors or omissions in the indexes or data and no party may rely on any indexes or data contained in this communication. No further distribution of data from the LSE Group is permitted without the relevant LSE Group company’s express written consent. The LSE Group does not promote, sponsor or endorse the content of this communication.

  • Literature

    Documents available for download

    Special COVID-19 Commentary

    • The Eagle SMID Cap Strategy team provides its outlook on the impact of current market volatility, as well as highlights from current portfolio positioning. — Click here to read.


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