Investor Summary
Fund Strategy
FUND PERFORMANCE AS OF 31st March 2026
| ANNUALIZED SINCE INCEPTION | QUARTERLY | YTD |
|---|---|---|
| 2.08% | 0.1% | 0.1% |
| ANNUALIZED SINCE INCEPTION | QUARTERLY | YTD |
|---|---|---|
| 2.08% | 0.1% | 0.1% |
The Madison Small Cap Fund was flat in Q1 2026, up 0.10% versus Russell 2000's 0.89% gain. The managers remain optimistic about their strategy as value outperformed growth and speculative names declined. Technology investments led performance despite software weakness, with semiconductor names like Viavi benefiting from AI data center demand. The fund initiated four new positions including ICU Medical, Matador Resources, Procore Technologies, and SiteOne Landscape Supply, while selling Chord Energy and Globus Medical. Software experienced a massive selloff with 25% declines, but managers see opportunities in AI-resilient businesses like Workiva. Defense investments performed well, highlighted by Leonardo DRS benefiting from submarine and missile defense programs. Healthcare investments declined on AI disruption fears, though managers believe these concerns are overexaggerated. Looking ahead, they expect continued volatility from the Iran war, potential consumer challenges, and midterm elections, but view this environment as favorable for their patient, opportunistic approach focused on quality franchises.
Focus on quality, profitable small-cap franchises over speculative stocks, taking advantage of market volatility and AI disruption fears to invest in resilient businesses with strong competitive moats at attractive valuations.
Managers expect more volatility in 2026 due to ongoing Iran war, potential consumer challenges from AI disruption and higher input costs, private credit issues, and midterm elections. They believe the environment favors their approach as speculative markets lose steam and see opportunities to add value through thoughtful and opportunistic investing.
| Date | Letter | Tickers | Keywords | Pitches | Quick Takes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 18 2026 | 2026 Q1 | CHRD, CRL, CVLT, DRS, ENTG, FORM, GMED, GTLB, ICUI, MEDP, MTDR, PCOR, POWI, SITE, VIAV, WK | AI, defense, energy, healthcare, semiconductors, small caps, software |
ICUI MTDR PCOR SITE |
Madison Small Cap Fund managers capitalized on AI disruption fears to invest in quality software and healthcare companies at attractive valuations. Strong semiconductor performance offset software weakness. New positions in medical devices, energy, and construction software reflect opportunistic approach. Expect continued volatility from geopolitical tensions and elections but see environment favoring quality over speculation. |
| Jan 20 2026 | 2025 Q4 | AAON, AMPL, CCOI, CFLT, CIEN, EHC, ENTG, FORM, GTLB, MIR, POWI, PRMB, RVLV, SMG, VCEL, VFC, VIAV, WAL, ZION | AI, Consumer Staples, Quality, Risk Appetite, small caps, software, Speculation, underperformance |
WAL CCOI CIEN MIR VCEL AMPL VIAV GTLB AAON |
Madison Small Cap Fund underperformed significantly in 2025's speculative rally that favored unprofitable AI-themed companies over quality defensive businesses. Consumer Staples and software sectors were particularly challenged. The manager used market dislocations to add quality names like GitLab and Amplitude while trimming oversized positions. They see attractive opportunities emerging as high-quality businesses trade at discounted valuations. |
| Oct 14 2025 | 2025 Q3 | AXS, BOX, CIEN, CMN, CRL, CSL, EHC, ENTG, EXP, FORM, GMS, HAYW, HQY, HXL, KN, SAIA, SHAK, SMG, SMPL, WSC | aerospace, AI, Construction, Quality, small caps, underperformance, value |
HXL EXP CRL |
Madison Small Cap Fund fell 1.3% in Q3 while Russell 2000 surged 12% on speculative rally in unprofitable companies and meme stocks. Fund's quality-focused discipline hurt performance as AI fears pressured software holdings and construction exposure weighed on cyclicals. Management maintains conviction in investment process despite stretched valuations, adding aerospace and construction materials positions while avoiding speculative names driving market gains. |
| Jul 15 2025 | 2025 Q2 | CIEN, CMN, CRL, CSL, EXP, GMS, HXL, SAIA, SHAK, SMPL, WSC | aerospace, AI, Construction, Quality, small caps, Speculation, value |
HXL EXP CRL |
Madison Small Cap Fund fell 1.3% in Q3 versus Russell 2000's 12% gain, hurt by avoiding speculative, unprofitable stocks driving the rally. The manager maintains discipline in quality investing despite challenging conditions, adding aerospace and construction positions while market speculation in AI and meme stocks creates stretched valuations and unattractive broad market setup. |
| Mar 31 2025 | 2025 Q1 | AXS, BOX, CFLT, CMCO, CSL, EHC, HQY, OPCH, POWI, PRMB, RVLV, SHAK, SMG, SMPL, WK | Construction, consumer, financials, healthcare, small cap, tariffs, technology | - | Madison Small Cap Fund outperformed during Q1's market correction, driven by Healthcare strength and Financial underweights. Managers selectively trimmed Technology winners while adding to discounted names. Construction-related investments remain attractively valued despite delayed recovery. Policy uncertainty around tariffs creates near-term headwinds but market dislocations provide opportunities for patient stock pickers. |
| Dec 31 2024 | 2024 Q4 | AAPL, AMN, AMZN, FROG, GOGO, GOOGL, KN, MEDP, META, MSFT, NVDA, ORCL, TSLA, VFC, WSC | AI, Construction, healthcare, industrials, small cap, technology, value |
WSC FROG GOGO AMN KN VFC MEDP |
Madison Small Cap Fund outperformed significantly in Q4 and full year 2024 through superior stock selection, delivering 22% annual returns versus Russell 2000's 11.55%. Managers actively repositioned portfolio, exiting underperformers and adding quality names like Knowles, VF Corporation, and Medpace. Entering 2025 cautiously as small caps no longer broadly cheap, emphasizing disciplined selection of durable businesses at attractive valuations. |
| Sep 30 2024 | 2024 Q3 | BOX, CCOI, CIEN, CNM, CR, CSL, EHC, OSW, SMG, SUM, WK | Construction, Housing, industrials, small cap, software, technology | WK | Madison Small Cap Fund underperformed in Q3 but managers remain optimistic about Industrial holdings positioned for housing recovery as rate easing begins. Added Workiva at significant discount to intrinsic value. Technology holdings continue strong outperformance from contrarian 2022 investments. Focus remains on high-quality businesses trading below fair value. |
| Jul 17 2024 | 2024 Q2 | CCOI, CNM, CR, CSL, CVLT, EHC, FORM, HCP, INSP, LZ, MODN, OPCH, OSW, PRMW, SUM, WSC | AI, industrials, semiconductors, small caps, takeovers, technology, value |
FORM LZ INSP OPCH |
Madison Small Cap Fund outperformed in Q2 despite small cap weakness, benefiting from AI-driven semiconductor demand and two takeovers. Small caps trade at historic discounts to large caps, creating attractive long-term value opportunities. Managers see industrial headwinds but software sector opportunities as AI rotation continues, maintaining selective approach for quality businesses at deep discounts. |
| May 2 2024 | 2024 Q1 | CCOI, CHRD, CNM, CSL, EHC, ENTG, ERF.TO, FORM, HCP, MODN, MWA, OSW, PRMW, PTC, SUM, WSC | energy, industrials, Quality, small cap, technology, value |
CNM CCOI CHRD MWA HCP |
Madison Small Cap Fund outperformed significantly in Q1 2024 with 11.4% returns versus 5.2% for Russell 2000, driven by quality bias and strong industrial stock selection. New positions in water infrastructure and cloud software reflect federal spending and digital transformation themes. Managers remain constructive on small cap value but cautious after recent strength. |
| Jan 14 2024 | 2023 Q4 | CFLT, CHRD, EPC, GOGO, HAIN, LZ, MC, OLLI, OSW, PRMW, SAIA, SHAK | energy, financials, healthcare, Quality, rates, small caps, technology, value |
CFLT 0MCB LN BLZE CHRD |
Madison Small Cap Fund returned 11.2% in Q4, trailing the Russell 2000's 14% dash for trash rally that favored low-quality names over the fund's high-quality approach. Despite recent underperformance, managers believe small cap valuations remain attractive relative to other domestic equity classes and made strategic additions including Confluent, Chord Energy, and Moelis & Company. |
| Oct 15 2023 | 2023 Q3 | AWI, AXS, BBCP, CC, CSL, EHC, ENTG, FROG, GOGO, HAYW, MGNI, MODN, NEWR, OLLI, OLN, OSW, PRMW, PTC, RADI, SUM, WSC | interest rates, Quality, Recession, Russell 2000, small caps, value |
GOGO MGNI MDLZ OLLI FROG HAYW |
Madison Small Cap Fund's quality-focused approach delivered modest underperformance in Q3 but maintains YTD outperformance. Recent weakness in holdings like GOGO and Magnite reflects temporary issues rather than fundamental deterioration. Managers see significant opportunity in small caps given historically low valuations and believe their emphasis on profitable, durable businesses with strong balance sheets positions the portfolio well for various economic scenarios. |
| Dec 7 2023 | 2023 Q2 | CIEN, CMN, CRL, CSL, EXP, GMS, HXL, SAIA, SHAK, SMPL, WSC | aerospace, AI, Construction, Quality, small caps, Speculation, underperformance, value |
HXL EXP CRL |
Madison Small Cap Fund's quality-focused approach clashed with Q3's speculative market, declining 1.3% versus Russell 2000's 12% gain. Fund avoids unprofitable meme stocks and AI speculation driving returns, instead holding profitable businesses facing temporary headwinds. Managers initiated aerospace, construction, and biotech positions while maintaining discipline despite significant underperformance in frothy market conditions. |
| Apr 14 2023 | 2023 Q1 | CIEN, CMN, CRL, CSL, EXP, GMS, HXL, SAIA, SHAK, SMPL, WSC | aerospace, AI, Construction, consumer, healthcare, Quality, small cap, Speculation |
HXL EXP CRL |
Madison Small Cap Fund fell 1.3% in Q3 while Russell 2000 gained 12%, hurt by avoiding speculative, unprofitable companies driving the rally. The manager maintains discipline in quality-focused investing despite AI momentum and meme stock mania. New positions in aerospace, construction materials, and drug development services reflect long-term conviction amid stretched valuations. |
| Dec 31 2022 | 2022 Q4 | HAIN, SMG | - | - | |
| Oct 25 2022 | 2022 Q3 | BRP, OMI, TCBI, WSC | - | - |
| QUARTER | THEMES | TAGS |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Q1 |
AIAI disruption fears impacted software and healthcare investments, with software valuations contracting sharply. However, managers see opportunities in AI-resilient businesses and believe AI will enhance rather than replace drug development services. |
Software Disruption Healthcare Semiconductors Data Centers |
SoftwareSoftware sector experienced massive selloff with 25% decline in Q1, driven by AI disruption speculation. Managers initiated new positions in critical application software companies they view as less susceptible to AI disruption. |
Vertical Software SaaS Enterprise Software Compliance Valuations | |
DefenseDefense investments performed well, highlighted by Leonardo DRS benefiting from Columbia submarine platform and Golden Dome missile defense program. Managers see opportunities from diversification away from larger prime contractors. |
Defense Spending Missile Defense Submarines Electronics Government | |
EnergyEnergy investments had solid performance with new position in Matador Resources. Iran war continues to disrupt energy infrastructure and impact interest rates, creating ongoing volatility in the sector. |
Oil Exploration & Production Midstream Geopolitical Infrastructure | |
SemiconductorsSemiconductor investments outperformed despite weak tech environment, driven by AI data center demand. Viavi Solutions was strongest performer, benefiting from NVIDIA reference architecture inclusion and memory company demand. |
Data Centers Memory Testing AI Equipment | |
| 2025 Q4 |
AIMassive capex cycle linked to AI representing increasing cash flow from hyperscalers. Signs that AI adoption is flatlining with unclear use cases for profitability. Reliance on Magnificent 7 for equity market performance continues with credit markets becoming increasingly sensitive to AI companies. |
Artificial Intelligence Hyperscalers Capex Technology Valuations |
GoldExceptionally strong performance with gold returning 65% for 2025 and silver 148%. Trend continued into 2026 with gold rising 13.3% and silver 18.9% by end of January. Concerns about crowded trades in precious metals grew as quarter progressed. |
Precious Metals Commodities Safe Haven Inflation Hedge | |
CreditCredit spreads remained tight at historic levels with returns mainly generated by carry. Four of largest credit issuers in 2025 were hyperscalers. Significant refinancing requirements in 2026-2027 should enable interesting trades both long and short. |
Credit Spreads Corporate Bonds Refinancing High Yield | |
Geopolitical RiskPresident Maduro taken from Venezuela, fracturing of Western alliance as Trump looked to acquire Greenland, protests in Iran violently suppressed. Tensions between countries may make cross-border transactions more difficult as countries favor national champions. |
Geopolitics Venezuela Iran Trade Policy National Security | |
| 2025 Q3 |
AIAI continues to be the dominant theme driving much of the Russell 2000's performance, particularly in technology stocks. The manager expresses skepticism about AI disruption fears in software, noting that 60% of AI answers are incorrect and 95% of enterprise AI projects are failing. They view fears about AI replacing critical software applications as vastly overblown. |
Software Technology Disruption Enterprise Applications |
ConstructionThe fund has significant exposure to construction-related companies experiencing headwinds from a prolonged downturn in residential and non-residential construction markets. The manager sees this as creating attractive investment opportunities in quality companies like Eagle Materials, believing they are close to a bottom in residential construction demand. |
Residential Commercial Materials Cyclical Recovery | |
AerospaceThe fund initiated a new position in Hexcel Corporation, a leader in advanced composite materials for aerospace applications. The manager believes aerospace headwinds from COVID supply chain shocks and Boeing struggles are largely behind them, with the industry having significant competitive moats through high capital intensity and regulatory barriers. |
Composites Defense Commercial Supply Chain Moats | |
| 2025 Q2 |
AIAI continues to be the dominant theme driving Russell 2000 performance, with broad-based fear among investors that AI could pose an existential threat to software business models. The manager believes these fears are vastly overblown, noting that 60% of AI answers are incorrect and 95% of enterprise AI projects are failing. |
Software Enterprise Disruption Technology Automation |
ConstructionThe residential and non-residential construction markets remain in a stubbornly long recovery period. The manager sees this as a timely opportunity to invest in construction-exposed names like Eagle Materials, believing they are close to a bottom in residential construction demand. |
Residential Commercial Materials Cyclical Recovery | |
AerospaceThe aerospace cycle has been in a prolonged downtrend due to COVID supply chain shocks creating bottlenecks in engines and struggles of Boeing and Spirit Aerosystems. The manager believes these headwinds are now largely behind them, initiating a position in Hexcel Corporation. |
Commercial Defense Composites Recovery Supply Chain | |
| 2025 Q1 |
ConstructionIndustrial economic activity remains depressed and the back half recovery expected in residential and non-residential construction now seems in jeopardy due to stubbornly high interest rates. The managers believe companies with depressed construction exposure are attractively valued but acknowledge these stocks may take longer to inflect upwards than previously anticipated. They continue to see opportunities in construction-related industries due to this unique cycle where many companies have strong balance sheets and higher than normal margin profiles. |
Construction Equipment Building Materials Homebuilders Infrastructure Interest Rates |
Trade PolicyThe managers express uncertainty about how disruptive the current administration's tariff-related policies will be on the broader U.S. economy. They note that uncertainty about which tariffs will be enacted puts management teams in a tough situation, with companies being generally cautious about the impact. Key concerns include inventory levels ahead of tariffs, consumer response to further price increases, and whether the administration will hold firm on broad tariffs or target them more specifically. |
Tariffs Policy Uncertainty Consumer Prices Inventory Economic Impact | |
| 2024 Q4 |
AIThe AI boom continued with Nvidia adding $2 trillion in market value in 2024. Five hyperscalers have spent nearly $1 trillion on capital spending over five years, fueling Nvidia's growth. Questions remain about actual economic returns from these investments beyond Chat GPT and generative AI. |
Artificial Intelligence Hyperscalers Capital Spending Economic Returns Technology |
Small CapsSmall caps briefly recaptured their 2021 peak but were unable to breakthrough, while the S&P 500 broke through and continues making new highs. Small caps continue to represent good relative value but are no longer broadly cheap, making strong stock selection even more crucial. |
Russell 2000 Relative Value Stock Selection Valuation Performance | |
ConstructionProlonged weakness in nonresidential construction and residential construction has been a significant headwind to activity. Housing is one of the most important subsectors that has been challenged for at least two years due to high housing costs and high interest rates. |
Nonresidential Residential Housing Interest Rates Activity | |
| 2024 Q3 |
CloudNew investment in Workiva, a cloud-based software provider of compliance and regulatory reporting solutions used by 75% of Fortune 500 companies. The platform offers collaboration, data integration, and process management controls for financial and regulatory management systems. |
SaaS Compliance Regulatory Enterprise Software Financial Reporting |
HousingMany Industrial stocks are tied to the housing sector, which has been depressed for years. The housing market has been in structural undersupply for several years, and as central bank rate easing begins, the combination of undersupply versus strong secular demand and lower rates may result in a significant residential construction cycle lasting several years. |
Homebuilders Construction Residential Interest Rates Undersupply | |
| 2024 Q2 |
AIThe AI data center buildout is driving significant demand for specialized memory chips called High Bandwidth Memory (HBM), with test intensity 25% higher than traditional memory. Form Factor has dominant market share at leading HBM maker SK Hynix and benefits from this trend. However, the AI frenzy is creating overheated valuations in anything related to the Nvidia-charged AI data center buildout. |
Data Centers Semiconductors Memory HBM Test Equipment |
Semiconductor CycleNew chip designs and increased test intensity drive revenue growth for semiconductor test equipment companies. The AI buildout is creating demand for specialized memory testing with higher intensity requirements. Form Factor benefits from this trend with its dominant position in memory test equipment and tight customer integration. |
Test Equipment Memory Chip Design Test Intensity Semi Equipment | |
Small CapsSmall caps continue to lag large caps significantly, with the Russell 2000 barely budged YTD while the S&P 500 makes all-time highs. Small caps now trade at a historic discount to large caps, representing better value and more favorable long-term risk-reward. The market remains narrowly driven by the Magnificent 7 and AI frenzy. |
Value Russell 2000 Large Cap Discount Market Leadership | |
| 2024 Q1 |
WaterMueller Water Products manufactures products and services used in the transmission, distribution, and measurement of water in North America. America's water infrastructure is massive and in very serious need for upgrade and modernization. Significant federal funds have been allocated to do just this and the fund believes MWA is well positioned to capitalize. |
Infrastructure Utilities Federal Funding Replacement Market Modernization |
CloudHashiCorp delivers software solutions that help large enterprises migrate their software applications and infrastructure from their own premises and networks to the public cloud. Hashi's tools help automate and streamline the process and, once in the public cloud, manage their assets' full lifecycle. The fund likes Hashi's strong competitive positioning, coupled with their recent pivot to more durable rates of growth and profitability. |
Enterprise Software Migration Automation Public Cloud Infrastructure Management | |
EnergyChord Energy announced a strategic combination with Canadian-based Enerplus Corporation. CHRD will become the largest operator in the Bakken, representing about 12% of the basin's production. With a solid balance sheet post deal, CHRD will now be in the enviable position of either the basin's main consolidator or most strategic asset as a target for larger E&P companies. |
Bakken Consolidation E&P Strategic Asset Production | |
| 2023 Q4 |
Small CapsSmall caps surged 14% in Q4 after benign inflation data, with the worst performers becoming the best in a dash for trash rally. Small caps finally outperformed large caps and mega cap tech after a narrow market year. The fund believes relative valuations remain more attractive for small caps than other domestic equity asset classes despite the recent rally. |
Russell 2000 Valuations Outperformance Quality Rotation |
RatesBetter-than-expected inflation data led to Treasury yields falling precipitously, which sent stock prices soaring, particularly in rate sensitive areas of the economy. The Fed is now expected to begin cutting rates instead of higher for longer, creating a much tamer inflation outlook. |
Treasury Yields Fed Cuts Inflation Rate Sensitive Monetary Policy | |
QualityThe quarter saw a proverbial dash for trash where dogs became darlings at the expense of former market leaders. High quality stocks and the generals took a back seat to low-quality names in the rally, making it difficult for quality-focused strategies to keep pace. |
High Quality Market Leaders Defensive Fundamentals Selectivity | |
EnergyEnergy was the only sector down approximately 6% for the quarter and underperformed meaningfully in 2023. The fund exploited this opportunity to make their first energy investment in several years with Chord Energy, believing the company can generate positive economic returns with oil above $55. |
Underperformance Opportunity Oil Prices Free Cash Flow Consolidation | |
| 2023 Q3 |
Small CapsFund focuses exclusively on small cap investments with historically low valuations relative to large caps providing significant opportunity. Managers believe small caps continue to lag large caps but see this as creating attractive entry points. |
Russell 2000 Valuation Opportunity Underperformance |
QualityFund emphasizes strict quality parameters and 5-pillar analysis framework. Managers focus on businesses with recurring revenue models, strong balance sheets, and durable competitive positions that should outperform in economic downturns. |
Balance Sheets Recurring Revenue Durability Cash Flow | |
ValueFund seeks to purchase companies at perceived discounts compared to potential future earnings. Recent acquisitions and pullbacks in sectors provide opportunities for high quality and reasonably valued investments. |
Discount Valuation Attractive Pricing Opportunity | |
| 2023 Q2 |
AIAI continues to be the dominant theme driving Russell 2000 performance, with Ciena benefiting from AI capital spending boom. However, manager views AI disruption fears in software as vastly overblown, noting 60% of AI answers are incorrect and 95% of enterprise AI projects are failing. |
Software Infrastructure Enterprise Disruption Speculation |
ConstructionResidential and non-residential construction markets remain in a stubbornly long recovery. Manager is overweight construction-related companies but sees cyclical headwinds persisting, though believes they are close to a bottom in residential construction demand. |
Residential Commercial Materials Cyclical Recovery | |
Small CapsSmall cap market driven by speculative, unprofitable companies and meme stocks with low absolute prices. Manager doesn't own these low-quality names, leading to significant underperformance as market rewards speculation over quality fundamentals. |
Quality Speculation Meme Stocks Profitability Valuation | |
AerospaceAerospace cycle has been in prolonged downtrend due to COVID supply chain shocks and Boeing/Spirit struggles, but manager believes these headwinds are now largely behind them. Initiated position in Hexcel with deep competitive moats and high switching costs. |
Defense Commercial Supply Chain Recovery Composites | |
| 2023 Q1 |
AIAI continues to be the dominant theme driving Russell 2000 performance, with Ciena benefiting from AI capital spending. However, the manager views fears about AI disrupting software business models as vastly overblown, noting that 60% of AI answers are incorrect and 95% of enterprise AI projects are failing. |
Software Enterprise Disruption Capital Spending Infrastructure |
ConstructionThe manager is overweight construction-related companies despite the stubbornly long recovery in residential and non-residential construction markets. They initiated Eagle Materials, believing they are close to a bottom in residential construction demand and willing to be patient for the cycle to turn. |
Residential Commercial Materials Cycle Recovery | |
Small CapsThe manager describes a very speculative small cap market driven by unprofitable companies and meme stocks. They don't own the low-quality, unprofitable companies driving the market, with some of the best performing stocks being not just unprofitable but also lacking revenue. |
Speculation Quality Profitability Meme Stocks Valuation | |
AerospaceThe manager initiated Hexcel Corporation, believing aerospace headwinds from COVID supply chain shocks and Boeing struggles are largely behind them. They see significant competitive moats in the duopoly market structure with high capital intensity and regulatory barriers. |
Commercial Defense Composites Supply Chain Recovery |
| Date | Pitch Type | Author | Ticker | Company | Industry | Sub Industry | Bull / Bear | Exchange | Keywords | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 30, 2025 | Fund Letters | Madison Small Cap Fund | HXL | Hexcel Corporation | Materials | Aerospace & Defense | Bull | NYSE | Aerospace, Airbus, Boeing, Carbon Fiber, Composite Materials, Defense, duopoly, materials | Login |
| Sep 30, 2025 | Fund Letters | Madison Small Cap Fund | EXP | Eagle Materials | Materials | Construction Materials | Bull | NYSE | Cement, construction materials, Cyclical, residential construction, ROIC, Share Buybacks, Value, Wallboard | Login |
| Sep 30, 2025 | Fund Letters | Madison Small Cap Fund | CRL | Charles River Laboratories | Health Care | Life Sciences Tools & Services | Bull | NYSE | Biotech, Cro, Drug Discovery, EBITDA, Free Cash Flow, Healthcare services, life sciences, Outsourcing | Login |
| Sep 30, 2025 | Fund Letters | Madison Small Cap Fund | HXL | Hexcel Corporation | Materials | Aerospace & Defense | Bull | NYSE | Aerospace, Airbus, Boeing, Carbon Fiber, Composite Materials, Cyclical Recovery, Defense, duopoly, high barriers to entry | Login |
| Sep 30, 2025 | Fund Letters | Madison Small Cap Fund | EXP | Eagle Materials | Materials | Construction Materials | Bull | NYSE | Cement, construction materials, Cyclical, high-ROIC, market share gains, residential construction, Share Buybacks, Wallboard | Login |
| Sep 30, 2025 | Fund Letters | Madison Small Cap Fund | CRL | Charles River Laboratories | Health Care | Life Sciences Tools & Services | Bull | NYSE | Biotech, contract manufacturing, Cro, Drug Discovery, Free Cash Flow, high margins, life sciences, Outsourcing | Login |
| Apr 18, 2026 | Fund Letters | Madison Small Cap Fund | ICUI | ICU Medical | Medical Instruments & Supplies | Health Care Equipment | Bull | NASDAQ | cash flow, Consumables, defensive, Healthcare Equipment, Infusion Therapy, market share gains, Medical devices | Login |
| Apr 18, 2026 | Fund Letters | Madison Small Cap Fund | MTDR | Matador Resources Company | Oil & Gas E&P | Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels | Bull | New York Stock Exchange | Delaware Basin, E&P, energy, Free Cash Flow, midstream, Oil & Gas, Permian, Value | Login |
| Apr 18, 2026 | Fund Letters | Madison Small Cap Fund | PCOR | Procore Technologies | Software - Application | Software | Bull | New York Stock Exchange | construction, Digital transformation, high margins, network effects, recurring revenue, SaaS, Software | Login |
| Apr 18, 2026 | Fund Letters | Madison Small Cap Fund | SITE | SiteOne Landscape Supply | Industrial Distribution | Trading Companies & Distributors | Bull | New York Stock Exchange | consolidation, defensive, Distribution, Fragmented Industry, Landscape Supply, M&A, margin expansion, network effects | Login |
| Jan 20, 2026 | Fund Letters | Faraz Farzam | WAL | Western Alliance Bancorp | Financials | Regional Banks | Neutral | New York Stock Exchange | banking, Capital, Creditrisk, exit, litigation | Login |
| Jan 20, 2026 | Fund Letters | Faraz Farzam | CCOI | Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc. | Communication Services | Integrated Telecommunications Services | Bear | NASDAQ | dividends, exit, leverage, Telecom, valuation | Login |
| Jan 20, 2026 | Fund Letters | Faraz Farzam | CIEN | Ciena Corporation | Information Technology | Communications Equipment | Bear | New York Stock Exchange | AI, exit, Networking, valuation | Login |
| Jan 20, 2026 | Fund Letters | Faraz Farzam | MIR | Mirion Technologies, Inc. | Industrials | Electronic Equipment & Instruments | Bull | New York Stock Exchange | AI, Moats, Nuclear, Radiation, Recurringrevenue | Login |
| Jan 20, 2026 | Fund Letters | Faraz Farzam | VCEL | Vericel Corporation | Health Care | Medical Devices | Bull | NASDAQ | Cartilage, FDA, growth, Margins, Medtech | Login |
| Jan 20, 2026 | Fund Letters | Faraz Farzam | AMPL | Amplitude, Inc. | Information Technology | Application Software | Bull | NASDAQ | analytics, Freecashflow, Moats, Software, turnaround | Login |
| Jan 20, 2026 | Fund Letters | Faraz Farzam | VIAV | Viavi Solutions Inc. | Information Technology | Communications Equipment | Bull | NASDAQ | AI, datacenters, Margins, Moats, Testequipment | Login |
| Jan 20, 2026 | Fund Letters | Faraz Farzam | GTLB | GitLab Inc. | Information Technology | Application Software | Bull | NASDAQ | AI, Devops, Margins, Security, Software | Login |
| Jan 20, 2026 | Fund Letters | Faraz Farzam | AAON | AAON, Inc. | Industrials | Building Products | Bull | NASDAQ | Cooling, datacenters, HVAC, infrastructure, recovery | Login |
| Oct 14, 2025 | Fund Letters | Faraz Farzam | HXL | Hexcel Corporation | Industrials | Aerospace & Defense | Bull | NYSE | Aerospace, Certification, Composites, duopoly, Free Cash Flow, Margins, recovery | Login |
| Oct 14, 2025 | Fund Letters | Faraz Farzam | EXP | Eagle Materials Inc. | Materials | Construction Materials | Bull | NYSE | buybacks, construction, Cost advantage, Housing, materials, recovery, ROIC | Login |
| Oct 14, 2025 | Fund Letters | Faraz Farzam | CRL | Charles River Laboratories International Inc. | Health Care | Life Sciences Tools & Services | Bull | NYSE | Biotech, Cro, deleveraging, growth, Margins, Outsourcing, research | Login |
| Sep 30, 2025 | Fund Letters | Madison Small Cap Fund | HXL | Hexcel Corporation | Materials | Aerospace & Defense | Bull | NYSE | Aerospace, Airbus, Boeing, Carbon Fiber, Composite Materials, Defense, duopoly, Equity, materials | Login |
| Sep 30, 2025 | Fund Letters | Madison Small Cap Fund | EXP | Eagle Materials | Materials | Construction Materials | Bull | NYSE | aggregates, Cement, construction materials, Cyclical, Equity, residential construction, ROIC, Share Buybacks, Wallboard | Login |
| Sep 30, 2025 | Fund Letters | Madison Small Cap Fund | CRL | Charles River Laboratories | Health Care | Life Sciences Tools & Services | Bull | NYSE | biotechnology, contract research, Cro, Drug Discovery, EBITDA, Equity, Free Cash Flow, life sciences, Outsourcing | Login |
| Dec 31, 2024 | Fund Letters | Madison Small Cap Fund | WSC | Willscot Holdings Corp | Industrials | Trading Companies & Distributors | Bull | NASDAQ | Construction Equipment, Cyclical, Free Cash Flow, Industrials, market share, Modular Space, Value | Login |
| Dec 31, 2024 | Fund Letters | Madison Small Cap Fund | FROG | JFrog Ltd | Information Technology | Software | Bear | NASDAQ | Devops, exit, Guidance Miss, Management Credibility, Software, technology | Login |
| Dec 31, 2024 | Fund Letters | Madison Small Cap Fund | GOGO | Gogo Inc | Communication Services | Wireless Telecommunication Services | Bear | NASDAQ | 5G Technology, Aviation Connectivity, exit, Technology Risk, Thesis Breakdown, wireless services | Login |
| Dec 31, 2024 | Fund Letters | Madison Small Cap Fund | AMN | AMN Healthcare Services | Health Care | Health Care Services | Bear | NYSE | Cyclical Recovery, exit, Healthcare Staffing, Nursing, Pandemic Normalization, Value trap | Login |
| Dec 31, 2024 | Fund Letters | Madison Small Cap Fund | KN | Knowles Corporation | Information Technology | Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components | Bull | NYSE | debt reduction, Industrial technology, Medical devices, Micro-Acoustics, portfolio transformation, RF Filters, value unlock | Login |
| Dec 31, 2024 | Fund Letters | Madison Small Cap Fund | VFC | VF Corporation | Consumer Discretionary | Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods | Bull | NYSE | Apparel, brand portfolio, debt reduction, International Growth, North Face, Portfolio Rationalization, turnaround, Vans | Login |
| Dec 31, 2024 | Fund Letters | Madison Small Cap Fund | MEDP | Medpace Holdings Inc | Health Care | Life Sciences Tools & Services | Bull | NASDAQ | biopharma, Biotech, Clinical trials, contract research, Cro, Free Cash Flow, life sciences, market share gains | Login |
| Sep 30, 2024 | Fund Letters | Madison Small Cap Fund | WK | Workiva Inc | Software & Services | Application Software | Bull | NYSE | cloud-based, Compliance software, Consulting Partnerships, Fortune 500, Regulatory Reporting, SaaS, SEC Filing, sticky revenue, Value | Login |
| Jul 11, 2024 | Fund Letters | Madison Small Cap Fund | FORM | FormFactor Inc | Information Technology | Semiconductor Equipment | Bull | NASDAQ | AI infrastructure, HBM, High-Bandwidth Memory, market share, Moat, NVIDIA, semiconductor equipment, SK Hynix, Test Equipment | Login |
| Jul 11, 2024 | Fund Letters | Madison Small Cap Fund | LZ | LegalZoom.com Inc | Communication Services | Interactive Media & Services | Neutral | NASDAQ | Automation, Business Formation, Buyback program, digital services, Legal Services, Market Share Loss, SaaS, turnaround | Login |
| Jul 11, 2024 | Fund Letters | Madison Small Cap Fund | INSP | Inspire Medical Systems Inc | Health Care | Health Care Equipment | Neutral | NYSE | clinical data, CPAP Alternative, First Mover, GLP-1, Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation, Medical Device, operating leverage, sleep apnea | Login |
| Jul 11, 2024 | Fund Letters | Madison Small Cap Fund | OPCH | Option Care Health Inc | Health Care | Health Care Providers & Services | Bull | NASDAQ | buybacks, Fragmented Market, Free Cash Flow, Healthcare Delivery, Healthcare services, Home Infusion, market share, recurring revenue | Login |
| Mar 31, 2024 | Fund Letters | Madison Small Cap Fund | CNM | Core and Main Inc | Industrials | Trading Companies & Distributors | Bull | NYSE | Equity, Industrial Distributor, infrastructure, specialty | Login |
| Mar 31, 2024 | Fund Letters | Madison Small Cap Fund | CCOI | Cogent Communications Holdings Inc | Communication Services | Diversified Telecommunication Services | Bull | NASDAQ | AI Traffic, Cost advantage, Equity, hyperscale, Internet Service Provider, network infrastructure, telecommunications | Login |
| Mar 31, 2024 | Fund Letters | Madison Small Cap Fund | CHRD | Chord Energy Corporation | Energy | Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels | Bull | NASDAQ | Bakken, consolidation, E&P, energy, Equity, M&A, Oil & Gas, Shale | Login |
| Mar 31, 2024 | Fund Letters | Madison Small Cap Fund | MWA | Mueller Water Products Inc | Industrials | Machinery | Bull | NYSE | Equity, federal funding, infrastructure spending, Monopolistic, Replacement Market, utilities, Water infrastructure | Login |
| Mar 31, 2024 | Fund Letters | Madison Small Cap Fund | HCP | HashiCorp Inc | Information Technology | Software | Bull | NASDAQ | cloud migration, Devops, Enterprise software, Equity, Infrastructure Automation, Multi Cloud, SaaS | Login |
| Dec 31, 2023 | Fund Letters | Madison Small Cap Fund | CFLT | Confluent Inc | Information Technology | Systems Software | Bull | NASDAQ | cloud infrastructure, Data Streaming, growth, Real-time Analytics, SaaS, Software, technology | Login |
| Dec 31, 2023 | Fund Letters | Madison Small Cap Fund | 0MCB LN | Moelis & Company | Financials | Investment Banking & Brokerage | Bull | NYSE | Cyclical Recovery, financial services, Independent Advisor, investment banking, M&A Advisory, restructuring | Login |
| Dec 31, 2023 | Fund Letters | Madison Small Cap Fund | BLZE | LegalZoom.com Inc | Information Technology | Internet Services & Infrastructure | Bull | NASDAQ | Digital transformation, disruption, Legal Tech, market leader, SaaS, Small Business Services, subscription model | Login |
| Dec 31, 2023 | Fund Letters | Madison Small Cap Fund | CHRD | Chord Energy Corporation | Energy | Oil & Gas Exploration & Production | Bull | NASDAQ | Bakken Shale, dividend yield, energy, Exploration & Production, Free Cash Flow, Oil & Gas, takeover target, Value | Login |
| Sep 30, 2023 | Fund Letters | Madison Small Cap Fund | GOGO | GOGO Inc. | Communication Services | Wireless Telecommunication Services | Bull | NASDAQ | 5G Technology, Business Aviation, Connectivity Services, Free Cash Flow, SaaS, subscription model, telecommunications | Login |
| Sep 30, 2023 | Fund Letters | Madison Small Cap Fund | MGNI | Magnite Inc. | Communication Services | Interactive Media & Services | Bull | NASDAQ | adtech, Connected tv, CTV, digital advertising, programmatic advertising, Streaming, technology platform | Login |
| Sep 30, 2023 | Fund Letters | Madison Small Cap Fund | MDLZ | Model N Inc. | Information Technology | Application Software | Bull | NYSE | Cloud software, life sciences, Mission-Critical, pharmaceuticals, recurring revenue, Revenue Management, SaaS | Login |
| Sep 30, 2023 | Fund Letters | Madison Small Cap Fund | OLLI | Ollies Bargain Outlet Holdings Inc. | Consumer Discretionary | Specialty Retail | Bull | NASDAQ | Branded Merchandise, Closeout Merchandise, consumer staples, discount retail, inflation hedge, retail, value proposition | Login |
| Sep 30, 2023 | Fund Letters | Madison Small Cap Fund | FROG | JFrog Ltd. | Information Technology | Application Software | Bull | NASDAQ | DevSecOps, Enterprise software, Mission-Critical, recurring revenue, SaaS, Software Development, technology infrastructure | Login |
| Sep 30, 2023 | Fund Letters | Madison Small Cap Fund | HAYW | Hayward Holdings Inc. | Industrials | Building Products | Bull | NYSE | Building Products, cash flow, duopoly, Housing recovery, pool equipment, recurring revenue, Repair and Remodel | Login |
| TICKER | COMMENTARY |
|---|---|
| VIAV | Viavi was our strongest stock, driven by the recent acquisition of Spirent and accelerating demand from semiconductor and memory companies. We view Viavi as a key player in the AI data center ecosystem, especially since NVIDIA specifically calls for Viavi Test gear in its AI reference architecture. We think the company's long-term opportunity is expanding. |
| ENTG | Entegris also had strong absolute returns in Q1. |
| FORM | FormFactor also had strong absolute returns in Q1. |
| POWI | Power Integrations also had strong absolute returns in Q1. |
| WK | Investments like Workiva (WK), which provides compliance and regulatory software for enterprises, are much more resilient businesses than the market fears. Our conversations with WK customers give us confidence that they do not intend on ripping and replacing such a deeply integrated and important system of record any time soon, if ever. |
| DRS | We'd like to highlight Leonardo DRS, an investment we made in 2023. This smid-cap defense prime contractor has delivered better than expected results, driven by its electronic propulsion drive on the Columbia submarine platform, and has further opportunity in the Golden Dome initiative. The Golden Dome is a missile defense program championed by the Trump Administration to protect America's airspace using a mix of space assets to track and target incoming attacks. DRS will be a provider for missile warning satellites, the tracking portion of this program. This is a well-managed company that is benefiting from the diversification of the Department of War's procurement away from larger prime contractors with multiple opportunities to drive revenues in growing areas of US and allied defense spending. |
| CRL | Our investments in drug development companies like Charles River Labs (CRL) and Medpace Holdings (MEDP) pulled back, driven by AI disruption fears. Our work suggests disruption fears are overexaggerated. Although we agree that drug development will benefit greatly from the implementation of AI tools, we disagree that this will lead to a lessening of drug development spending. We believe this efficiency will lead to more viable drug candidates and an increase in demand for clinical research services. We also believe that contract research organizations' (CROs) implementation of these tools can improve program design times, shorten trial timelines and improve clinical submissions. Larger CROs, such as Medpace and Charles River Labs, have ample resources to capture this value for both them and their clients. Despite the pullbacks, we remain enthusiastic about these investments and have selectively added to our positions. |
| MEDP | Our investments in drug development companies like Charles River Labs (CRL) and Medpace Holdings (MEDP) pulled back, driven by AI disruption fears. Our work suggests disruption fears are overexaggerated. Although we agree that drug development will benefit greatly from the implementation of AI tools, we disagree that this will lead to a lessening of drug development spending. We believe this efficiency will lead to more viable drug candidates and an increase in demand for clinical research services. We also believe that contract research organizations' (CROs) implementation of these tools can improve program design times, shorten trial timelines and improve clinical submissions. Larger CROs, such as Medpace and Charles River Labs, have ample resources to capture this value for both them and their clients. Despite the pullbacks, we remain enthusiastic about these investments and have selectively added to our positions. |
| GTLB | Other notable detractors to performance in the quarter include our weakest stock, Gitlab, Inc. |
| CVLT | Other notable detractors to performance in the quarter include Commvault Systems. |
| ICUI | ICU Medical is a medical device company that specializes in infusion therapy, vascular access, and vital care applications. The company's main business is intravenous delivery devices, and it provides both systems and consumables associated with these pumps. ICUI's model is a sticky consumables stream that follows its equipment sale and installation. The industry is consolidated among three players, with ICUI being the smallest. ICUI has gained market share in the pumps business due to quality issues at Becton Dickinson (BDX) and underinvestment at Baxter (BAX). Additionally, the company's new high-volume pump has more connected features, which we believe will drive retention rates and incremental revenue. This is a boring company with a good market position and excellent cash flow that we view as well-positioned in this volatile market. We value this opportunity at 12x earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), which blends our intrinsic value estimate to $200/share. |
| MTDR | Matador Resources Company is a Delaware Basin Exploration and Production (E&P) company founded in 2003. The midstream asset is a joint venture that moves oil, gas, and water in and out of the Permian Basin. Production has grown 28% per annum since its Initial Public Offering (IPO). Matador has an entrepreneurial culture and a high level of employee ownership, with its CEO and founder, Joe Foran, personally owning ~4% of the shares. The company is an innovator in drilling design and has excellent well-based economics. The company also has Delaware-focused midstream assets, which have growing value as gas and water cuts increase in the basin. MTDR trades at 3.3x enterprise value to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EV/EBITDA), and sub-3x if we consider the midstream assets, a discount to its peers and our comp group. MTDR also trades at 9.8x earnings versus 15x for the group. We view this as compelling given the hidden midstream asset and the premium nature of MTDR's acreage. Our intrinsic value estimate of $95 is based on 5x EV/EBITDA, supported by increasing free cash flow yield. |
| PCOR | We initiated a new position in the construction management software company Procore Technologies (~$9B market cap). Procore is a 'system of record' for the construction industry, connecting owners, general contractors, and specialty contractors on a single digital platform. It generates recurring revenue via a tiered subscription based on the customer's total annual construction volume (ACV). This pricing model is a powerful lever: as customers build more, Procore's revenue grows without additional sales effort. The business is characterized by high gross margins (~80%) and strong customer stickiness (95% retention rate). Procore's formidable moat stems from classic 'network effects'—project collaborators are often introduced to the software by the general contractor, creating a low-cost customer-acquisition funnel. The construction industry is large and underpenetrated by digital automation, providing a long runway for compounding growth at high returns. Our intrinsic value estimate for PCOR is $95. |
| SITE | We initiated a new investment position in specialty distributor SiteOne Landscape Supply, the largest and only scaled consolidator in the landscape supply industry. SiteOne controls 18% of this $26 billion industry and has been growing revenue at a low double-digit compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the past several years. SITE has the highest gross margins of any distributor following years of pricing initiatives (600 basis points of improvement since 2014), reflecting its defensive competitive moat and limited competition. After years of investment in sales and marketing, the company has a significant opportunity to expand its operating margin, which should help it overcome potential cyclical headwinds and drive earnings growth. Management has gained credibility in delivering on this thesis, with several quarters of margin expansion in a somewhat depressed end-market environment. The company has formidable network-effect-style moats, including a highly fragmented customer and supplier base. No single customer accounts for over 2% of sales, and the top ten customers account for less than 5% of total sales. No other competitor has the reach SiteOne has built, making it the most important intermediary for suppliers and buyers alike. SITE's breadth of offerings and purchasing power makes them an invaluable resource for local landscapers and suppliers. Management has a solid track record in mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Their network-effect moat is amplified through M&A, as scale begets scale. SiteOne is 3x the size of its nearest competitor and larger than numbers 2-10 combined. We conservatively estimate the intrinsic value to be $160. |
| CHRD | We sold our position in CHRD to focus on MTDR. We have high regard for CHRD and its management team and believe the company remains very attractively valued, but we view the swap into MTDR as more compelling given its more premium acreage, deeper inventory position, and higher gas/midstream exposure. The company remains at a significant discount to our intrinsic value estimate. |
| GMED | We liquidated our position in Globus Medical after a multi-year period. The company has successfully integrated its Nuvasive acquisition and continues to show successful adoption of its industry-leading robotics platform. The success has driven GMED's market cap to $12B, thus we elected to sell and focus on smaller alternatives. Our most recent intrinsic value estimate was $85 versus the current price of $90/share. |
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