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| # | Fund | Strategy | Style | Geography | AUM | Latest Letter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
In the 2025 Annual Review, manager Simon Evan-Cook discusses the performance of the Downing Fox fund range. While absolute returns were respectable (+10.2% for the Fox 100% Equity fund), relative performance lagged peers. This underperformance was primarily driven by the fund's structural, active exposure to small and mid-cap equities, which underperformed relative to large-cap indices. The manager remains firmly committed to this posture, arguing that small-caps are currently 20% cheaper than large-caps on a valuation basis. Within the portfolio, value-oriented holdings like Ranmore Global Equity performed strongly, offsetting weaker results from 'quality' styled funds. The portfolio's defensive sleeve (gilts and Japanese yen) performed as expected, providing crucial downside protection during the April market sell-off. For 2026, the manager remains cautious on expensive global mega-caps and structurally constructive on 'almost everywhere else,' specifically expecting outperformance should mega-cap dominance reverse.
A 'survive-first, thrive-second' philosophy that prioritizes robust multi-strategy diversification ('the fox knows many things') over single-theme concentration. By combining active value and quality managers who focus on fundamentally cheap small/mid-caps, and pairing them with cheap negatively correlated defensive assets, the fund aims to deliver superior long-term wealth compounding with less downside risk.
The manager anticipates weak future global market returns overall, primarily because the index is heavily dominated by uncomfortably expensive American mega-caps. In contrast, almost every other segment of the global market looks attractive on a valuation basis. The primary tactical prediction for 2026 is that if large companies underperform, Downing Fox will likely outperform its peer groups.
As of Jan 23, 2026
Lead Portfolio Manager
High Conviction Bullish
Market Conviction
High-conviction positioning: Downing Fox achieved solid absolute returns in 2025 but lagged peers due to its structural overweight in active small/mid-caps; the manager remains fully committed to this strategy...
Growth Outlook
Market outlook remains moderate conviction: Downing Fox achieved solid absolute returns in 2025 but lagged peers due to its structural overweight in active small/mid-caps; the manager remains fully committed to this strategy...
Risk Appetite
Risk appetite posture is above average conviction: Downing Fox achieved solid absolute returns in 2025 but lagged peers due to its structural overweight in active small/mid-caps; the manager remains fully committed to this strategy...
Capital Deployment
Manager actively deployed capital into high-conviction opportunities. Downing Fox achieved solid absolute returns in 2025 but lagged peers due to its structural overweight in active small/mid-caps; the manager remains fully committed to this strategy...
Forward Guidance
Forward guidance signal: Downing Fox achieved solid absolute returns in 2025 but lagged peers due to its structural overweight in active small/mid-caps; the manager remains fully committed to this strategy...
Language Signal
Tone analysis indicates above average conviction language: Downing Fox achieved solid absolute returns in 2025 but lagged peers due to its structural overweight in active small/mid-caps; the manager remains fully committed to this strategy...
Perceived Risk
Perceived risk level is evaluated as moderate conviction. Downing Fox achieved solid absolute returns in 2025 but lagged peers due to its structural overweight in active small/mid-caps; the manager remains fully committed to this strategy...
Opportunity Density
Opportunity density index indicates high conviction actionable entry points. Downing Fox achieved solid absolute returns in 2025 but lagged peers due to its structural overweight in active small/mid-caps; the manager remains fully committed to this strategy...
Time Horizon
Investment time horizon reflects a high conviction orientation. Downing Fox achieved solid absolute returns in 2025 but lagged peers due to its structural overweight in active small/mid-caps; the manager remains fully committed to this strategy...
Top Conviction Themes
Key Catalysts
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