Investor Summary
Fund Strategy
FUND PERFORMANCE AS OF 31st March 2026
| ANNUALIZED SINCE INCEPTION | QUARTERLY | YTD |
|---|---|---|
| 9.41% | 1.02% | 1.02% |
| ANNUALIZED SINCE INCEPTION | QUARTERLY | YTD |
|---|---|---|
| 9.41% | 1.02% | 1.02% |
The abrdn U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund gained 1.13% in Q1 2026, outperforming the Russell 2000 Index amid a volatile quarter marked by geopolitical tensions and trade policy uncertainty. The fund benefited from data center ecosystem growth through holdings like Viavi Solutions and Everus Construction Group, while energy exposure via Magnolia Oil & Gas gained from rising crude prices driven by Middle East conflicts. New positions were initiated in nuclear beneficiary Mirion Technologies and industrial diversification plays including Garrett Motion and Quaker Chemical. However, AI disruption concerns weighed on Q2 Holdings, and medical device scrutiny hurt Alphatec Holdings. The Iran war and tariff uncertainty created a complex macro backdrop, with factor-driven movements at times overwhelming fundamentals. Despite near-term challenges including stagflation concerns and supply-driven inflation, the manager remains optimistic about small caps' long-term positioning to benefit from infrastructure investment, technological innovation, and supply chain reshoring. The strategy emphasizes higher-quality businesses for resilience while maintaining selectivity and patience as volatility creates opportunities for differentiated outcomes.
Small cap equities are well positioned to benefit from secular trends including infrastructure investment, technological innovation, and supply chain reshoring, with current market volatility creating opportunities for active fundamental investors.
Manager remains optimistic about the long-term outlook for small caps despite near-term macro challenges. Believes current environment creates opportunities for disciplined fundamental investors to identify valuation dislocations, particularly in domestic small- and mid-cap equities where inefficiencies are more pronounced. Emphasizes patience, selectivity and long-term focus as market volatility creates differentiated opportunities.
| Date | Letter | Tickers | Keywords | Pitches | Quick Takes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 21 2026 | 2026 Q1 | ADMA, ATEC, ECG, GTX, KWR, MGY, MIR, PATK, QTWO, SHOO, VIAV | energy, Geopolitical, infrastructure, small caps, technology, US | - | Small cap fund gained 1.13% in volatile Q1 2026, benefiting from data center growth and energy price rises amid Middle East tensions. Added nuclear and industrial positions while facing AI disruption headwinds. Despite macro challenges from Iran war and tariff uncertainty, manager remains optimistic on secular trends including infrastructure investment and supply chain reshoring creating long-term opportunities. |
| Jan 29 2026 | 2025 Q4 | ARCB, ARQT, ATEC, ATZ.TO, AZZ, CARG, CORT, ELF, HLIO, ITGR, LRN, LZB, OSW, PI, REVG, SUPN, TRNO, VIAV | healthcare, industrials, infrastructure, Quality, small caps, technology | CORT | The fund underperformed despite gains, with biotech and beauty detractors offset by medical device and retail winners. New positions target infrastructure, reshoring, and technology adoption themes. Despite government shutdown headwinds, the manager remains optimistic on small-cap prospects driven by secular trends in infrastructure investment, technological innovation, and supply chain reshoring. |
| Oct 28 2025 | 2025 Q3 | ANIP, DCO, EAT, FIVN, GPK, IAS, KBH, KN, KNSA, LGND, MTRN, NOG, QTWO, SMRT, SNEX, VERX, VIAV, WNS | Biotechnology, defense, infrastructure, Onshoring, Quality, small caps, US | - | abrdn's US small-cap fund gained 5.23% in Q3 but lagged the Russell 2000's 12.39% return. Stock selection was mixed with Ligand Pharmaceuticals and Materion Corporation contributing while Q2 Holdings and Brinker International detracted. The manager remains optimistic on domestic small-caps, emphasizing quality businesses positioned for secular tailwinds from infrastructure investment, innovation, and supply chain reshoring. |
| Jul 27 2025 | 2025 Q2 | ABCB, ADMA, AHR, ATZ.TO, CHEF, CNMD, CORT, ELF, FIBK, FOLD, GPK, MMSI, REVG, SKWD, TMX.TO | Beauty, healthcare, infrastructure, Onshoring, Quality, small caps, tariffs, Trade Policy | - | The fund underperformed amid trade policy uncertainty but maintains optimism on small-cap opportunities. Trump's tariff policies created volatility before negotiated pauses, impacting holdings like Merit Medical while benefiting others like e.l.f. Beauty. The strategy focuses on quality businesses positioned for secular trends including infrastructure investment, technological innovation, and supply chain reshoring despite macroeconomic headwinds. |
| Mar 31 2025 | 2025 Q1 | AZEK, COHU, CORT, HEES, JHX, LOB, LRN, MWA, REVG, SHOO, URI, VERX, WERN, WK | infrastructure, M&A, Quality, small caps, tariffs, Trade Policy, water |
CORT HEES LRN VERX SHOO WK MWA REVG |
abrdn's small-cap fund outperformed despite Q1 decline, benefiting from quality stock selection including Corcept Therapeutics and Stride. New Trump trade policy created volatility but team maintains disciplined high-quality focus. Long-term outlook positive given depressed small-cap valuations, expected deregulation, M&A tailwinds, and eventual Fed cuts, though near-term uncertainty persists from trade negotiations. |
| Jun 30 2024 | 2024 Q2 | ATKR, ATMU, BOOT, CORT, EAT, FIVN, FROG, HEES, ONTO, PRFT | AI, Fed, Quality, rates, small caps, technology, value |
CORT ATMU FROG |
Fund outperformed Russell 2000 by 152bp through stock selection despite -1.76% return. Fed held rates at 5.25-5.50% with only one cut expected in 2024. Small caps trade at significant discount to large caps and positioned to benefit from market broadening beyond Magnificent Seven, M&A activity, and quality advantages in elevated rate environment. |
| QUARTER | THEMES | TAGS |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Q1 |
Data CentersFund benefited from data center ecosystem growth through holdings like Viavi Solutions and Everus Construction Group. Garrett Motion was added for its diversification into data center cooling applications. |
Data Centers Infrastructure Cooling |
NuclearInitiated position in Mirion Technologies to benefit from the accelerating nuclear renaissance as global capacity expands and the installed base continues to age. |
Nuclear Renaissance Radiation Detection | |
OilMagnolia Oil & Gas benefited from rising crude oil prices driven by geopolitical supply concerns and Iran war escalation. Oil prices rose sharply due to regional tensions and supply disruptions. |
Oil Geopolitical Supply | |
AIQ2 Holdings faced continued investor concerns regarding potential artificial intelligence-driven disruption in their business model. |
AI Disruption Financial Technology | |
OnshoringManager believes small caps are well positioned to benefit from secular trends including the reshoring of supply chains as part of the long-term outlook. |
Onshoring Supply Chains Secular Trends | |
| 2025 Q4 |
DividendsThe fund follows a Dogs of the Dow strategy, investing approximately 50% of assets in the 10 highest dividend-yielding Dow Jones Industrial Average stocks. The strategy systematically targets dividend yield as the primary selection criterion for equity investments. |
Dividend Yield DJIA Income |
| 2025 Q3 |
Small CapsThe fund focuses exclusively on US small-cap stocks, with performance measured against the Russell 2000 Index. The manager remains optimistic about the long-term outlook for domestic small-cap stocks despite recent market turbulence. The strategy emphasizes higher-quality businesses that offer resilience to mitigate macroeconomic headwinds. |
Russell 2000 Quality Resilience Domestic Volatility |
Infrastructure SpendingThe manager identifies large-scale domestic infrastructure investments as a key secular trend presenting compelling opportunities for smaller companies. Everus Construction Group was highlighted as a beneficiary, being a leading provider of specialized engineering and construction contracting services positioned to benefit from these investments. |
Construction Engineering Domestic Investment Secular | |
OnshoringThe reshoring of supply chains is identified as one of the secular trends presenting compelling opportunities for smaller companies. This theme is supported by trade policy developments and represents a structural tailwind for the strategy's focus on domestic small-cap companies. |
Supply Chains Manufacturing Domestic Secular Trade | |
DefenseDucommun, an aerospace and defense company, was added to the portfolio based on heightened geopolitical tensions creating a favorable operating environment. The manager believes the combination of geopolitical tensions, improvements in Boeing's production rates, and recent margin-enhancement initiatives could benefit the company. |
Aerospace Geopolitical Boeing Margins Tensions | |
BiotechnologyThe portfolio includes exposure to biotechnology through companies like Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals and ANI Pharmaceuticals. Kiniksa is developing innovative treatments for rare diseases with strong growth in autoinflammatory conditions, while ANI showed strong sales of a key rare disease drug, boosting confidence in its strategic shift away from generic drugs. |
Rare Diseases Pharmaceuticals Innovation Growth Pipeline | |
| 2025 Q2 |
Trade PolicyPresident Trump's sweeping tariff policies initially weighed on investor sentiment, with China facing over 100% US duties. A 90-day pause was announced for most tariffs as part of trade negotiations, followed by US-China agreement on substantial reciprocal tariff reductions. The US doubled tariffs on global steel and aluminum imports to 50%, adding to trade policy uncertainty. |
Tariffs China Steel Aluminum Negotiations |
Small CapsThe fund focuses on domestic small-cap stocks with secular trends like infrastructure investment, technological innovation, and supply chain reshoring presenting compelling opportunities. The strategy emphasizes higher-quality businesses that offer resilience against macroeconomic headwinds while maintaining ability to navigate volatile markets and grow sustainably through economic cycles. |
Quality Resilience Cycles Opportunities Growth | |
OnshoringThe reshoring of supply chains is identified as one of the secular trends presenting compelling opportunities for smaller companies. This structural shift supports the long-term outlook for domestic small-cap stocks as companies bring operations back to the United States. |
Supply Chains Manufacturing Domestic Structural Opportunities | |
Infrastructure SpendingIncreased infrastructure investment is highlighted as a secular trend that presents compelling opportunities for smaller companies. This structural tailwind supports the long-term optimistic outlook for domestic small-cap stocks in the current environment. |
Investment Secular Opportunities Structural Tailwinds | |
| 2025 Q1 |
Trade PolicyTrump administration announced new trade policy with 10% tariffs on all imports plus additional country-specific tariffs, followed by 90-day moratorium on additional tariffs except China while negotiations proceed. Significant market volatility resulted from concerns about macroeconomic slowdown and higher inflation. |
Tariffs Trade China Negotiations Inflation |
Small CapsLong-term outlook for US small-cap stocks remains favorable with valuations depressed relative to larger companies. Expected benefits from de-regulation, increased M&A activity, and eventual Fed rate cuts should support smaller companies over time. |
Valuations M&A Deregulation Rates Quality | |
WaterInitiated Mueller Water Products, a leading supplier of fire hydrants, valves and products for clean drinking water delivery. Company positioned to benefit from secular growth drivers including repair of aging water infrastructure. |
Infrastructure Utilities Municipal Secular Growth | |
| 2024 Q2 |
Small CapsSmall caps trade at a significant discount to large caps and are positioned to benefit from market broadening beyond the Magnificent Seven. Corporate balance sheets flush with cash often trigger M&A activity benefiting smaller companies. Higher quality small caps have structural advantages in elevated rate environments. |
Small Caps Discount M&A Quality |
AIAI-related revenues drove outperformance for semiconductor companies like TSMC. Technology companies continued to outperform consensus expectations given strong AI growth prospects, though substantial investment costs remain an investor concern. Utilities benefited from increased electricity demand driven by the AI boom. |
AI Semiconductors Technology Electricity | |
RatesFed kept rates at 23-year high of 5.25-5.50% for seventh consecutive time. Latest dot plot forecasts only one rate cut in 2024 versus three predicted in March. Higher rate environment creates structural advantages for higher-quality companies versus lower-quality peers. |
Fed Rate Cuts Quality Monetary Policy |
| Date | Pitch Type | Author | Ticker | Company | Industry | Sub Industry | Bull / Bear | Exchange | Keywords | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 29, 2026 | Fund Letters | Christopher Colarik | CORT | Corcept Therapeutics Incorporated | Health Care | Biotechnology | Bear | NASDAQ | biotechnology, drug approval, Pipeline Uncertainty, Regulatory risk | Login |
| Mar 31, 2025 | Fund Letters | abrdn U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund | LRN | Stride | Consumer Discretionary | Diversified Consumer Services | Bull | NYSE | Digital Learning, earnings beat, Education Services, Guidance Raise, market share | Login |
| Mar 31, 2025 | Fund Letters | abrdn U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund | MWA | Mueller Water Products | Industrials | Machinery | Bull | NYSE | capital investment, Fire Hydrants, Municipal Infrastructure, secular growth, Water infrastructure | Login |
| Mar 31, 2025 | Fund Letters | abrdn U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund | VERX | Vertex | Information Technology | Software | Bear | NASDAQ | Free Cash Flow, growth investments, margin compression, SaaS, Tax software | Login |
| Mar 31, 2025 | Fund Letters | abrdn U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund | REVG | REV Group | Industrials | Machinery | Bull | NYSE | Ambulances, Fire Engines, market leader, operational improvements, Specialty Vehicles | Login |
| Mar 31, 2025 | Fund Letters | abrdn U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund | WK | Workiva | Information Technology | Software | Bear | NYSE | Compliance Reporting, ESG Software, Regulatory risk, SaaS, Sustainability | Login |
| Mar 31, 2025 | Fund Letters | abrdn U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund | HEES | H&E Equipment Services | Industrials | Trading Companies & Distributors | Bull | NASDAQ | acquisition target, Construction Equipment, Equipment Rental, industrial services, M&A | Login |
| Mar 31, 2025 | Fund Letters | abrdn U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund | CORT | Corcept Therapeutics | Health Care | Biotechnology | Bull | NASDAQ | Addressable market, biotechnology, Clinical trials, drug development, therapeutics | Login |
| Mar 31, 2025 | Fund Letters | abrdn U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund | SHOO | Steven Madden | Consumer Discretionary | Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods | Bear | NASDAQ | Consumer Discretionary, Footwear, Import Costs, tariffs, trade policy | Login |
| Jun 30, 2024 | Fund Letters | abrdn U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund | FROG | JFrog | Information Technology | Software | Bull | NASDAQ | Binary management, Devops, Platform provider, SaaS, Software, Software builds, Software deployment, technology infrastructure | Login |
| Jun 30, 2024 | Fund Letters | abrdn U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund | ATMU | Atmus Filtration Technologies | Industrials | Industrial Machinery | Bull | NYSE | Air standards, environmental regulations, Filtration systems, Heavy-duty trucks, industrial machinery, manufacturing, Product Portfolio, Research development | Login |
| Jun 30, 2024 | Fund Letters | abrdn U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund | CORT | Corcept Therapeutics | Health Care | Biotechnology | Bull | NASDAQ | biotechnology, Commercial Stage, Cortisol, Cushing's Syndrome, drug development, market penetration, pharmaceuticals, Specialty therapeutics | Login |
| TICKER | COMMENTARY |
|---|---|
| VIAV | shares of Viavi Solutions benefited from growth in the data-centre ecosystem and contributions from recent acquisitions |
| ECG | Everus Construction Group's shares rose after the company issued above-consensus guidance, supported by growing data-centre demand and solid execution |
| MGY | Magnolia Oil & Gas' shares benefited from a rise in the crude oil price, driven by geopolitical supply concerns |
| ATEC | Alphatec Holdings' shares sold off after reporting fourth-quarter earnings below elevated investor expectations, alongside heightened scrutiny across high-growth medical device names |
| QTWO | Shares of Q2 Holdings fell amid continued investor concerns regarding potential artificial intelligence-driven disruption |
| ADMA | ADMA Biologics' shares declined after management failed to directly address key concerns on revenue quality, leading to sustained pressure on the stock |
| GTX | Garrett Motion is a leader in the global turbocharger market. We expect the company to benefit from diversification into industrial applications such as heating, ventilation and air conditioning, and data-centre cooling |
| MIR | Mirion Technologies is a global leader in radiation detection and measurement. We believe Mirion is well positioned to benefit from the accelerating 'nuclear renaissance' as global capacity expands and the installed base continues to age |
| PATK | Patrick Industries is a leading component solutions supplier for original equipment manufacturers across recreational vehicle, marine and manufactured housing industries. We think the company is well positioned for volume normalisation as demand improves |
| KWR | Quaker Chemical Corporation is a global pure-play in industrial process fluids with a highly sticky, service-driven business model. Strong new-business wins and early benefits from cost-reduction initiatives have supported operating momentum. We expect this strength to continue as the company streamlines its network and expands in higher-growth regions |
| SHOO | Steven Madden, a leading designer and marketer of footwear and accessories. We believe the company is well-positioned to benefit from consumer discretionary spending, which continues to support demand across its core brands |
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