Investor Summary
Fund Strategy
FUND PERFORMANCE AS OF 31st March 2026
| ANNUALIZED SINCE INCEPTION | QUARTERLY | YTD |
|---|---|---|
| 10.61% | -2.09% | -2.09% |
| ANNUALIZED SINCE INCEPTION | QUARTERLY | YTD |
|---|---|---|
| 10.61% | -2.09% | -2.09% |
Next Century Growth Investors delivered solid relative performance in 1Q26 despite broad market volatility driven by geopolitical tensions and energy supply disruptions. The firm's small cap strategy outperformed benchmarks by focusing on high-quality growth companies with strong fundamentals. Key contributors included AI infrastructure investments spanning semiconductors, optical components, and data center buildout, which benefited from robust spending on computing capacity and networking. Aerospace and defense holdings also performed well, supported by elevated global defense spending and growing order backlogs. The portfolio added 12 new positions while exiting 15, maintaining overweight positions in technology, industrials, and basic materials. Looking ahead, the manager sees favorable conditions for continued market broadening, particularly in small caps where earnings growth has turned positive and valuations remain attractive relative to large caps. Federal Reserve easing and improving business fundamentals support the outlook. The firm believes this environment reinforces the value of active management and disciplined stock selection focused on companies with sustainable competitive advantages.
Focus on high-quality growth businesses with durable competitive advantages, strong balance sheets, and long-term earnings power, particularly in small cap stocks which offer attractive valuations and improving fundamentals.
The investment environment presents a mix of near-term uncertainties and longer-term opportunities. U.S. economic growth remains resilient, supported by steady consumer spending, improving earnings trends, and the lagged benefits of monetary easing. Conditions remain favorable for continued market broadening. This environment reinforces the value of active management and fundamental research.
| Date | Letter | Tickers | Keywords | Pitches | Quick Takes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 22 2026 | 2026 Q1 | - | AI Infrastructure, defense, growth, industrials, semiconductors, small cap, technology | - | NCG's small cap growth strategy outperformed in volatile 1Q26 by focusing on AI infrastructure, defense, and quality growth companies. Strong performance from semiconductors, optical components, and aerospace holdings offset geopolitical headwinds. Small cap fundamentals improving with positive earnings growth and attractive valuations versus large caps. Fed easing and market broadening create favorable environment for selective stock picking. |
| Jan 21 2026 | 2025 Q4 | ADPT, ATEC, AVPT, AXGN, BETA, BLND, CCB, CELH, COHR, ELF, KNX, KVYO, MTSI, PCOR, PEGA, PI, PRCH, QTWO, TOL, TTAN, UTI, WAL, WULF | active management, growth, healthcare, industrials, Outperformance, Quality, small caps, technology | - | NCG's small cap growth strategy faced headwinds in 2025 as quality factors worked against active managers, with low-quality stocks significantly outperforming their high-quality holdings. Despite relative underperformance, they maintain conviction in their disciplined approach and see improving conditions ahead with positive small cap earnings growth, Fed rate cuts, and attractive relative valuations supporting future outperformance. |
| Oct 24 2025 | 2025 Q3 | AAON, ADMA, AEHR, APLD, AVAV, BE, CDNA, FROG, KVYO, LEU, MIRM, MP, PAR, PGY, PI, PL, PRCH, STRL, TOL, VCEL, XMTR | AI, defense, growth, infrastructure, nuclear, small cap, Speculation, valuation |
XMTR BE |
NCG's Small Cap Growth strategy underperformed in 3Q25 as speculative, low-quality stocks drove index returns while traditional growth areas lagged. The firm maintains discipline in high-quality companies with strong fundamentals, positioning for long-term outperformance. With Fed rate cuts, improving earnings outlook, and historically cheap small cap valuations, significant catch-up potential exists for quality growth stocks. |
| Aug 7 2025 | 2025 Q2 | AAON, AGYS, ALHC, AVPT, CDNA, CELH, CRS, CWK, ELF, GDYN, GWRE, HXL, INOD, MTSI, RXST, SAIA, SPRY, STRL, TMDX, TTAN | growth, healthcare, infrastructure, rates, small cap, technology, Trade Policy | - | NCG outperformed across most strategies in 2Q25 despite initial tariff-related volatility. The firm maintains overweight positions in technology, healthcare, and materials while adding eight new positions. With small caps at historically attractive valuations versus large caps and potential Fed rate cuts ahead, NCG sees significant opportunity in high-quality growth companies. |
| Mar 31 2025 | 2025 Q1 | AGYS, ALHC, ATRO, BROS, CAVA, ELF, FLYW, FRPT, GLBE, INOD, IRTC, OS, PEGA, PEN, PYCR, QNST, SAIA, SDHC, SITM, VERX | earnings, growth, healthcare, industrials, policy, small cap, technology, Valuations | - | NCG's small cap growth strategy declined 12.99% in Q1 2025, underperforming due to technology and industrials exposure amid policy uncertainty from the new administration. The firm actively repositioned the portfolio, adding five new positions while eliminating 14 underperformers. Despite near-term headwinds, NCG sees attractive valuations and maintains conviction in their quality growth approach for long-term outperformance. |
| Dec 31 2023 | 2023 Q4 | BRZE, CSTL, CWAN, DAVA, FLYW, GWRE, KNSL, LGIH, MEDP, NTRA, SILK, TMDX, TNDM, VRRM | Biotechnology, Fed Pivot, growth, healthcare, market breadth, small caps |
MEDP BRZE ACGL|APH|COO|CSGP|DKNG|GWRE|IDXX|IOT|IT|LPLA|MSCI|MTD|PCOR|ROP|TECH|VRSK ARGX BB|DAVA|DDOG|GLOB|ILMN|LOAR|MELI|NET|NU|NVDA|TSM NTRA ASIC|CWAN|INSP|KRMN|KTOS|MAC|MEG|RH|WYNN TNDM CSTL |
NCG's Small Cap Growth strategy returned 4.75% in Q4 but underperformed for the full year at 14.83% versus the Russell 2000 Growth's 18.65%. Healthcare holdings weighed on performance due to GLP-1 concerns, though the Fed pivot drove small cap outperformance late in the quarter. The firm added eight new positions while maintaining their disciplined growth approach. |
| QUARTER | THEMES | TAGS |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Q1 |
AIInvestments tied to AI infrastructure, including semiconductors, optical components, power buildout and site development, performed well as spending on computing capacity, networking, and data-center build-outs remained robust. Technology performance was driven by semiconductors, optical components, and test equipment holdings. |
Infrastructure Semiconductors Data Centers Computing Networking |
Defense SpendingAerospace and defense holdings contributed positively, supported by elevated global defense spending and growing order backlogs. The portfolio is overweight in the industrial sector with holdings in aerospace & defense areas. |
Aerospace Defense Order Backlogs Global Spending | |
Small CapsSmall cap earnings growth turned positive during 2025 and is expected to stay positive and potentially accelerate in 2026. Small cap stocks continue to trade at attractive valuations relative to large cap stocks. Combined with an improving fundamental backdrop, this presents further opportunities in small caps. |
Earnings Growth Valuations Fundamentals Opportunities | |
Critical MineralsThe portfolio is overweight basic materials with holdings consisting of companies in the rare/critical minerals market. Basic materials performance was driven by critical minerals and aerospace holdings. |
Basic Materials Rare Minerals Supply Demand | |
| 2025 Q4 |
AIManager discusses AI monetization progress at Alphabet with strong third-quarter results and improving sentiment around digital advertising and AI. Google Cloud grew over 30% year-over-year supported by rapid adoption of AI training and inference services. Alphabet introduced several Gemini platform enhancements during the quarter including lower-cost inference options. |
Cloud Monetization Infrastructure Training Inference |
CloudGoogle Cloud performance highlighted as a key driver with over 30% year-over-year growth supported by rapid adoption of AI training and inference services. Manager views cloud infrastructure as creating substantial growth opportunities for Alphabet with scale and data advantages. |
Infrastructure Growth Services Adoption | |
PharmaceuticalsEli Lilly was a top performer driven by strong Q3 2025 earnings with revenue rising 54% year-over-year. Growth was driven by GLP-1 franchises Mounjaro and Zepbound where sales more than doubled. Manager believes Lilly remains one of the highest-quality growth franchises in global healthcare with leadership in diabetes, obesity, and neuroscience. |
GLP1 Diabetes Obesity Growth | |
Medical DevicesIntuitive Surgical delivered strong Q3 results with procedure volumes rising in mid-teens globally and notable strength in general surgery and urology. Manager views ISRG as the clear leader in robotic-assisted surgery with a deep installed base, high recurring revenue, and decades of clinical data supporting continued adoption. |
Robotics Surgery Procedures Recurring | |
StreamingNetflix was the portfolio's largest detractor following investor concerns around near-term subscriber growth and rising content spending. While revenue grew approximately 10% year-over-year, management guided to slower net subscriber additions after recent price increases. Despite headwinds, manager continues to view Netflix as the dominant global streaming platform with durable competitive advantages. |
Content Subscribers Competition Global | |
| 2025 Q3 |
AIArtificial intelligence presents great promise for enhancing business models and improving productivity long-term. In the near-term, the infrastructure needed to support the AI buildout is spurring significant increases in investment and capital expenditures, driving new growth opportunities for innovative companies across technology, industrials, and energy sectors. |
Infrastructure Productivity Technology Investment Growth |
Infrastructure SpendingThe new administration has implemented pro-growth policies including infrastructure spending, manufacturing re-shoring, critical mineral and pharmaceutical production, and defense spending. These policies are expected to support growth across many sectors of the domestic economy and create direct beneficiaries among portfolio companies. |
Manufacturing Defense Domestic Policy Growth | |
Critical MineralsCritical minerals emerged as one of the significant rally areas in micro and small cap indices during 3Q25. The portfolio maintains exposure through a company in the rare earth materials market as part of their basic materials overweight, though many companies in this space have elevated valuations relative to business fundamentals. |
Rare Earths Materials Valuation Rally Exposure | |
NuclearNuclear energy was identified as one of the areas with big gainers and material contribution to the micro and small cap indices during 3Q25. This represents part of the broader speculative rally in emerging growth areas, though business fundamentals may not support extremely elevated valuation levels in many cases. |
Energy Speculative Valuation Rally Growth | |
DefenseDefense and space emerged as significant contributors to index performance in 3Q25, with the portfolio adding AeroVironment as a new position. The administration's pro-growth policies include increased defense spending, creating opportunities for companies in this sector. |
Space Spending Policy Growth Opportunity | |
| 2025 Q2 |
Small CapsSmall cap growth stocks participated in the recent market rally, but further opportunity exists. The rolling 10-year annualized return by small vs large stands at -7.3% and is the worst ever going back to 1926, and the valuation of the small cap sector relative to large caps is in the 5th percentile historically. |
Small Cap Valuation Relative Performance Growth Opportunity |
Trade PolicyThe quarter was marked by a swift selloff in early April following President Trump's Liberation Day tariff announcement on April 2nd. However, a week after Liberation Day, the administration put in place a 90-day pause on tariff implementation and started talking about numerous ongoing trade deal negotiations. |
Tariffs Trade Deals Policy Uncertainty Implementation Negotiations | |
Infrastructure SpendingStrong forces driving increased infrastructure spending in the US have been gaining momentum for the past couple years and remain intact. The new administration is working to accelerate this trend and we are finding companies which are direct beneficiaries. |
Infrastructure Government Spending Beneficiaries Acceleration Momentum | |
RatesThe Federal Reserve has held rates unchanged so far in 2025 following rate cuts totaling 100bps in the back half of 2024. The Fed remains committed to evaluating the incoming data to determine the path of future rate decisions but has recently signaled a willingness to cut rates at some point this year. |
Federal Reserve Rate Cuts Monetary Policy Data Dependent 2025 | |
| 2025 Q1 |
Infrastructure SpendingStrong forces driving increased infrastructure spending in the US have been gaining momentum for the past couple years and remain intact. The new administration is working to accelerate this trend and NCG is finding small companies which are direct beneficiaries. |
Infrastructure Government Construction Spending Policy |
Trade PolicyThe new US administration has not solidified its go-forward international trade and tariff policies. While the market seems to be assuming the worst, the administration has recently been reflecting more flexibility in its approach, and NCG believes the final policy may not be as draconian as feared. |
Tariffs Trade Policy International Administration | |
| 2023 Q4 |
Small CapsSmall cap stocks underperformed large caps heading into the fourth quarter, with the Russell Microcap Growth Index down about 5% through Q3. However, market breadth broadened in November and December following the Fed pivot, with the Russell Microcap Growth Index returning 13.68% versus 4.42% for large caps. The rally was primarily led by low quality stocks and sectors most impacted by the Fed's restrictive stance. |
Small Cap Russell 2000 Microcap Market Breadth Fed Pivot |
BiotechnologyHealthcare holdings drove much of the underperformance across strategies due to investor perception that GLP-1 weight loss drugs will improve overall health and reduce medical interventions. Many healthcare companies began to recover in Q4, and the firm still believes in long-term growth fundamentals despite the negative sentiment around the sector. |
Healthcare GLP-1 Medical Devices Biotech Drug Development | |
GrowthThe firm continues to focus on investing in what they believe are the fastest growing and highest quality companies in America. They emphasize owning companies that can grow revenue and profits at strong rates in any economic environment, maintaining their philosophy of bottom-up stock picking and strong sell discipline. |
Growth Investing Revenue Growth Quality Companies Stock Selection Sell Discipline |
| Date | Pitch Type | Author | Ticker | Company | Industry | Sub Industry | Bull / Bear | Exchange | Keywords | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 24, 2025 | Fund Letters | Tom Press | XMTR | Xometry Inc. | Industrials | Commercial Services & Supplies | Bull | NASDAQ | AI, Automation, Digitization, growth, manufacturing, Margins, marketplace, Partnerships, Reshoring, supply chain | Login |
| Oct 24, 2025 | Fund Letters | Tom Press | BE | Bloom Energy Corporation | Industrials | Renewable Electricity | Bull | NYSE | AI, backlog, energy, Fuel cells, growth, hyperscalers, infrastructure, Margins, Power, renewables | Login |
| Dec 31, 2023 | Fund Letters | NCG Small Cap Growth Strategy | MEDP | Medpace Holdings | Health Care | Life Sciences Tools & Services | Bull | NASDAQ | biopharma, Clinical trials, contract research, Cro, growth, Healthcare services, life sciences, market share | Login |
| Dec 31, 2023 | Fund Letters | NCG Small Cap Growth Strategy | BRZE | Braze | Information Technology | Application Software | Bull | NASDAQ | Cross-Channel, Customer Engagement, high margins, market disruption, Marketing Technology, platform, Real Time, SaaS | Login |
| Dec 31, 2023 | Fund Letters | NCG Small Cap Growth Strategy | ACGL|APH|COO|CSGP|DKNG|GWRE|IDXX|IOT|IT|LPLA|MSCI|MTD|PCOR|ROP|TECH|VRSK | Guidewire Software | Information Technology | Application Software | Bull | NYSE | cloud migration, Digital transformation, Insurance-software, Legacy Replacement, P&C insurance, platform, SaaS, turnaround | Login |
| Dec 31, 2023 | Fund Letters | NCG Small Cap Growth Strategy | ARGX BB|DAVA|DDOG|GLOB|ILMN|LOAR|MELI|NET|NU|NVDA|TSM | Endava | Information Technology | IT Consulting & Other Services | Bull | NYSE | banking, Cyclical Recovery, Digital transformation, Fintech, IT services, Outsourcing, Payments, Telecom | Login |
| Dec 31, 2023 | Fund Letters | NCG Small Cap Growth Strategy | NTRA | Natera | Health Care | Life Sciences Tools & Services | Bull | NASDAQ | Cell-free DNA, diagnostics, Genetic Testing, MRD Testing, NIPT, Oncology, personalized medicine, women's health | Login |
| Dec 31, 2023 | Fund Letters | NCG Small Cap Growth Strategy | ASIC|CWAN|INSP|KRMN|KTOS|MAC|MEG|RH|WYNN | Clearwater Analytics Holdings | Information Technology | Application Software | Bull | NYSE | 2021 IPO, Analytics Platform, Asset Managers, Insurance, Investment Accounting, market share gains, SaaS, valuation opportunity | Login |
| Dec 31, 2023 | Fund Letters | NCG Small Cap Growth Strategy | TNDM | Tandem Diabetes Care | Health Care | Health Care Equipment | Bull | NASDAQ | Depressed valuation, diabetes care, Growth Reacceleration, Insulin Pump, Medical Device, New products, product innovation, turnaround | Login |
| Dec 31, 2023 | Fund Letters | NCG Small Cap Growth Strategy | CSTL | Castle Bioscience | Health Care | Life Sciences Tools & Services | Bull | NASDAQ | Acquisitions, Cash Flow Breakeven, Compressed Valuation, Medical Diagnostics, Mental health, Oncology Testing, Skin Cancer, Under-Penetration | Login |
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