Jackson Peak suffered Q1 losses from poorly timed tech exposure before Iran conflict but maintains strong conviction in AI infrastructure acceleration. The fund sees the most significant LLM capability inflection since ChatGPT, driving structural compute shortages. Core Scientific leads positioning in data center co-location capacity. Q2 outlook improves as AI progress gains recognition and geopolitical tensions ease.

Massif Capital's 16% Q1 return reflects their geography-first commodity thesis, where geopolitical control matters more than cost curves. Norwegian energy and Portuguese tungsten exemplify Western-controlled supply chains benefiting from fragmentation. Oil positioned for structural premiums while critical minerals capitalize on defense spending and Chinese export restrictions.

Yacktman delivered strong Q1 performance through disciplined value investing, with Samsung benefiting from AI memory demand and energy holdings gaining from geopolitical oil shocks. The team maintains high conviction in their patient, risk-focused approach, emphasizing long-term business fundamentals over momentum while capitalizing on market dislocations to add quality companies at attractive valuations.

Small-cap growth fund outperformed with 3.20% Q1 return versus benchmark's -2.81%. Core thesis targets U.S. industrial recovery through reshoring and AI spending. Strong technology performance from semiconductor suppliers Ultra Clean and Entegris. Added positions in transportation, energy services, and AI insurance. Transportation data confirms recovery with railroad and trucking volumes hitting multi-year highs.

Baron Global Opportunity Fund sees AI disruption creating extraordinary opportunities for companies with structural competitive moats. Despite Q1 geopolitical volatility, dramatic AI revenue acceleration validates thesis. Portfolio emphasizes infrastructure beneficiaries and platforms with network effects that AI cannot replicate. Added to 22 positions during weakness, initiated new AI infrastructure investments.

Crossroads outperformed in Q1 despite oil shock, benefiting from market broadening and special situations execution. Merlin Labs SPAC conversion and AST SpaceMobile constellation progress drove gains while Nintendo memory concerns created headwinds. Manager sees market adaptation to Trump volatility creating opportunities in smaller, catalyst-driven names with hard value-unlocking transformations.

First Eagle outperformed during Q1 2026's Iran war volatility by owning energy companies that benefited from oil price surges and maintaining strategic gold exposure. While enterprise software holdings faced AI disruption concerns, the fund is selectively deploying capital into quality companies at dislocated valuations, positioning for long-term value creation amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.

Fund outperformed with 2.4% gain versus S&P 500's 4.3% decline in volatile Q1 2026. Iran conflict drove energy sector strength while AI disruption pressured software holdings. Manager initiated positions in AI-benefiting companies like HubSpot and Airbnb while maintaining defensive positioning. Strong pharmaceutical performance from Merck and Moderna offset software sector weakness from AI competition concerns.

The fund outperformed in Q1 2026 despite geopolitical turmoil from the Iran conflict. Japanese small caps were key contributors with Nitto Boseki up 81%. Gold miners provided defensive positioning. The manager added Japanese exposure while raising cash to 10%. Outlook depends on Middle East resolution enabling rate cuts and international market recovery.

Shelton's covered call strategy outperformed during volatile Q1 2026 despite broad market decline, generating income from options premiums and dividends. Middle East conflict drove energy outperformance while tech and financials lagged. Manager maintains positions in underperformers viewed as attractively valued, believing the strategy benefits from increased volatility ahead.

Franklin Growth Opportunities outperformed in Q1 2026 despite tech rotation pressures, benefiting from Microsoft underweight and industrials overweight. Manager remains bullish on AI-driven productivity gains across sectors while focusing on quality franchises with competitive advantages. Monitoring geopolitical energy risks but expects innovation-led expansion with disciplined active management advantage.

Franklin High Income Fund declined 0.68% in Q1 2026 amid Middle East war tensions that drove oil prices higher and created stagflationary pressures. Despite industry allocation headwinds, the fund benefited from quality exposure and energy sector selection. Managers view current yields as attractive in a resilient fundamental environment with low defaults, though spreads remain only fair.

The Gabelli Equity Income Fund gained 2.28% in Q1 2026, outperforming the declining broader market. The Iran conflict drove oil prices from $61 to $127 per barrel, benefiting energy holdings like Chevron and National Fuel Gas. The fund's dividend-focused strategy provided defensive characteristics during geopolitical volatility, while technology holdings faced sector rotation pressure.

BlackRock's technology trust positions AI infrastructure and models as core pillars, capitalizing on the market shift from experimentation to deployment with tangible ROI. The fund selectively increases exposure to AI monetization leaders in hardware and infrastructure where valuations may not reflect multi-year growth potential, maintaining 37% private investments led by Databricks.

BlackRock's fixed income fund posted -0.36% returns in Q1 2026, hurt by duration positioning and emerging market exposure amid inflation concerns. The team reduced duration risk, rotated toward high-quality securitized assets, and maintained defensive positioning while benefiting from AI-focused absolute return strategies and agency mortgages.

VH Standard delivered +0.27% in Q1 2026 while markets declined, maintaining 98% long exposure across 49 merger arbitrage deals. The fund has achieved 6.54% annualized returns since 2023 inception with 95.7% deal completion rate. Healthcare and technology dominate the portfolio, with focus on sub-$5B transactions providing competitive advantages for the smaller fund size.

Berkshire Dividend Growth outperformed during a volatile Q1 marked by value rotation and Iranian geopolitical crisis. Energy surged 30-40% while tech fell 20%+ on AI disruption concerns. Multiple portfolio holdings raised dividends significantly, with the fund maintaining focus on quality dividend growers that compound through uncertainty.

TCW Core Fixed Income outperformed by 12bp in Q1 as geopolitical tensions drove oil to $118 and repriced Fed policy hawkishly. The fund's agency MBS overweight helped performance while avoiding corporate credit weakness. Management views rate repricing as overdone given weaker labor market backdrop, positioning for curve steepening with duration overweight and securitized focus.

Gabelli ABC Fund gained 1.65% in Q1 2026 from strong M&A activity totaling $1.2 trillion in deals, up 27% year-over-year. Arbitrage strategy benefited from biotech acquisitions and energy sector strength during Iran conflict. Fund positioned in pending deals including AES Corp and Tri Pointe Homes with continued M&A momentum expected.

The fund outperformed its benchmark despite a challenging quarter marked by Middle East conflict and AI investment scrutiny. Strong performance from telecom infrastructure and data center names offset weakness in large technology holdings. The portfolio remains positioned in high-quality companies with sustainable competitive advantages in the global content and connectivity ecosystem.

Sigil Fund operates crypto strategies with Core outperforming Bitcoin by 21.56% despite negative returns and Stable generating 1% yield. Fund transitioning from defensive to net buyer positioning as risks appear priced in. Middle East conflict disrupted oil markets while AI drives infrastructure but poses DeFi hacking risks. Stable strategy pivoting toward real-world asset trading infrastructure opportunities.

Voss Value Fund down 11.4% in Q1 as AI momentum dominates markets, but manager sees opportunity in Sempra Energy restructuring and activist positions at PAR, EEFT, XPOF. Portfolio concentrated in small-cap value situations trading at discounts to fundamentals while avoiding overvalued semiconductor and AI themes. Expects corporate catalysts to drive alpha despite challenging momentum-driven environment.

Voss underperformed in Q1 as AI momentum dominated markets, but initiated major Sempra Energy position targeting 17% IRR through utility restructuring catalyst. Activist campaigns at PAR, EEFT, and XPOF driving operational improvements. Manager sees widespread mispricings in software and value stocks as market chases semiconductor exposure at bubble-like valuations.

Concentrated global growth fund underperformed significantly in Q1 2026 despite strong individual company fundamentals. Manager maintains high conviction in technology leaders like Arm Holdings benefiting from AI adoption and Tesla's EV/autonomy evolution. Portfolio trades at substantial discount to estimated intrinsic value, reflecting patient long-term approach focused on quality businesses with sustainable competitive advantages.

Hinde Group outperformed during Q1's market volatility driven by AI disruption fears and Middle East conflict. The concentrated portfolio's special situations focus, exemplified by undervalued Becton Dickinson trading at 8.0% earnings yield with $230+ fair value target, positions the fund well for long-term value creation despite near-term macro uncertainties.

Portfolio down 28% as AI fears pressure internet stocks while semiconductors soar. Manager sees speculative AI infrastructure bubble, prefers application layer opportunities. Sea Ltd's Shopee VIP scaling like Amazon Prime with strong unit economics. Unity's gaming engine dominance plus Vector ad platform creates compelling value at current prices. Tech valuations most attractive since 2022.

Sigil Core outperformed Bitcoin by 21.56% despite -3.88% Q1 return amid Middle East turmoil. Fund shifting from defensive 40% risk-off positioning to net buyer, deploying into select crypto assets as risks appear priced in. Manager embraces volatility as opportunity rather than risk, expecting bumpy summer with selective crypto outperformance while broader markets bleed.

ETF industry faces T+1 settlement operational challenges while active ETF growth accelerates. Market participants adapting through credit solutions and process changes. Market-making capacity concerns emerge from portfolio opacity issues. Sentiment index drops to 71% from 82%. Algorithmic execution and tokenization gaining traction as complexity increases across ETF offerings in 2026.

Alpha G Investment Management completed its strategic transformation in 2025, focusing on small-cap equity management through TETON Westwood funds with $261 million AUM. Despite 12.7% revenue decline due to lower assets, the firm achieved profitability with reduced operating expenses and strong cash position of $27.2 million following the GAMCO divestiture.

Global Leaders Strategy fell 8.3% in Q1 2026 as AI loser narrative hit payments, credit bureaus, and software holdings comprising one-third of portfolio. Manager added to all affected positions during drawdown reviews, maintaining conviction in business moats. Semiconductor and financial infrastructure companies outperformed. New position in MercadoLibre initiated. Opportunity set broadest since Covid with 12-13% expected IRRs.

Tall Oak's Total Portfolio Approach proved resilient during Q1's energy shock and geopolitical volatility. The firm maintains AI exposure across the value chain while benefiting from energy and real asset positions. They're using software weakness to add quality franchises and broadening geographic diversification as markets navigate inflation resurgence and continued AI diffusion.

Brookfield deployed $53 billion in Q1 while raising $67 billion in new capital, demonstrating strong execution across digitalization, decarbonization, and deglobalization themes. The firm's leadership in AI infrastructure, energy transition, and global supply chain reorganization positions it to capitalize on massive infrastructure investment needs. Disciplined capital allocation and permanent capital structure support long-term value creation.

European small-cap fund highlighting Tonies as a compelling growth story with razor-razorblade business model in children's audio entertainment. Company achieved 50% German market penetration and 36% organic growth with strong IP licensing moats. Trading at 13x EV/EBITDA with 30% targeted growth and global expansion runway ahead.

Rodrigo rode European AI semiconductors and oil futures during Iran conflict but sold AI positions as valuations became unsustainable. Now focusing on quality value plays like Visa/Mastercard and European defense spending while avoiding overheated AI names. Sees software under existential threat from AI commoditization. Positioning for returns in either AI continuation or correction scenario.

Oaktree sees accelerating credit market dispersion with healthy borrowers accessing capital easily while distressed names face severe pressure. CCC loans yield 25% amid refinancing concerns, software sector faces AI-driven repricing, and direct lending shows structural stress. This creates opportunities for skilled managers to avoid losers in performing strategies and target dislocations opportunistically.

Robotti outperformed in Q1 2026 by owning energy services benefiting from structural offshore demand shifts and Middle East supply disruptions. Holdings like Tidewater and Subsea 7 gained as energy security concerns drive investment. Builders FirstSource declined on housing weakness but offers long-term value. Portfolio trades at discounts while major indices face inflation and multiple compression risks.

Caledonia delivered 5.4% NAV returns with strong private capital performance led by Stonehage Fleming sale generating 3.2x returns. Maintained 59-year progressive dividend streak while building £415m liquidity for selective deployment. Diversified £3.0bn portfolio across public companies, private capital and funds targeting inflation +3-6% returns through disciplined long-term approach.

Newport Capital maintains disciplined diversification as Iranian War drives oil up 77.6% and market volatility. Value outperforms growth with Small-Cap Value +5.0% vs Large-Cap Growth -9.8%. Balanced positioning across styles and regions captures ongoing rotation favoring value and international markets while managing geopolitical uncertainty and elevated growth stock valuations.

Silver Beech outperformed in Q1 by avoiding AI-disrupted software and benefiting from energy supply shocks. The fund's large new Apollo position exemplifies its strategy of buying misunderstood, structurally advantaged companies. Apollo's integrated private credit and life insurance model creates permanent capital advantages that justify significant valuation expansion from current levels.

Zeno deliberately avoids the AI bubble while aggressively deploying into undervalued Latin American opportunities. The fund increased LatAm exposure to 28%, buying quality businesses like Localiza and Vista Energy at attractive valuations following currency weakness and investor capitulation. This contrarian approach reflects their core philosophy of finding disconnects between price and fundamental value.

Loeb warns of AI capex boom creating unsustainable earnings while trimming overvalued winners and adding undervalued quality companies. Portfolio reshaping included exiting AI-disrupted businesses and homebuilders, while adding European software consolidator Topicus, dominant service businesses FirstService and Pool Corp, and Capital One benefiting from Discover merger. Contrarian positioning despite missing current AI rally.

Municipal bonds showed remarkable resilience absorbing record $119 billion issuance despite Iran war creating energy shocks and inflation concerns. Returns ended flat after volatile quarter with March CPI hitting 3.3%. Issuer fundamentals remain healthy with strong state budgets and improved pension funding. Team sees persistent inflation pressures challenging Fed cuts while emphasizing research-driven approach to find opportunities.

The managers believe oil has entered a major bull market as the Strait of Hormuz closure exposes years of inadequate investment and faltering shale growth, targeting $120-150 oil. They expect precious metals to correct significantly after triggering sell signals. The firm has pivoted from gold into energy investments, viewing this as a structural shift rather than temporary disruption.

Event-driven strategy continues delivering superior downside protection with minimal drawdowns during market stress. Growth portfolio repositioned around AI infrastructure theme with differentiated exposure versus benchmarks. Manager bullish on AI productivity benefits and infrastructure buildout despite acknowledging political and macro risks. Strong track record of risk management with plans for high-conviction AI infrastructure investments.

SaltLight's global flexible fund declined 13.32% in Q1 2026 after strong prior performance, maintaining concentrated technology positions including NVIDIA and PDD Holdings. The high-risk portfolio has delivered 13.51% annualized returns since 2020 inception, outperforming benchmark through flexible global mandate across equities, derivatives, and other liquid instruments targeting long-term total returns.

LVS Advisory sees AI infrastructure as a sustainable investment theme driven by real productivity gains and capacity shortages. The Growth Portfolio maintains 42% AI exposure with overweight positions in power generation and construction versus semiconductors. Semiconductor valuations appear fair despite recent gains. The Event-Driven strategy continues providing strong downside protection through diversified, uncorrelated positioning.

Pantera sees crypto as dramatically undervalued relative to AI, with Bitcoin trading at a 42% discount to trend while AI companies trade at 50% premiums. The firm advocates aggressively buying crypto assets as AI and blockchain converge, with blockchain becoming the natural monetary infrastructure for AI agents.

Solar emerges as asymmetric opportunity in Multi-Polar World where Energy Security trumps cost efficiency. China's 93% polysilicon dominance becomes liability as FEOC rules force supply chain bifurcation. Wacker Chemie trades at cycle lows but owns only major US polysilicon facility, potentially worth 3-4x current market cap as geopolitical monopoly in decoupling scenario.

Ninepoint maintains defensive fixed income positioning amid Middle East energy crisis driving inflation and potential Fed rate hikes. Record corporate bond issuance from AI companies pressures credit spreads. The team uses low duration and derivatives to navigate volatility while maintaining 5-6% portfolio yields through selective security sourcing.