Ariel International Fund's value approach targets misunderstood international franchises, declining 2.93% in volatile Q1 2026. Strong performers included Orange SA and SUMCO Corporation, while the team added nine new positions including Bayer AG and automation leader Daifuku. Despite near-term uncertainty from geopolitical tensions and stagflation risks, the managers see opportunities emerging outside the U.S. where valuations appear more balanced.

Ariel Global Fund's value-focused approach delivered relative outperformance in volatile Q1 2026 markets. Strong semiconductor and logistics positions offset solar and China headwinds. Ten new positions including Bayer turnaround story and MediaTek AI exposure reflect disciplined opportunistic deployment. Geopolitical tensions and stagflation risks persist, but broadening market leadership and attractive non-U.S. valuations create selective opportunities for patient value investors.

Meridian Hedged Equity outperformed during Q1 2026's geopolitical volatility, gaining 0.08% versus the S&P 500's -4.33% decline. Energy holdings like Chevron benefited from oil price surges while technology positions faced rotation pressure despite strong fundamentals. The fund's hedged approach and focus on high-quality companies with strong balance sheets proved effective in managing downside risk during the uncertain environment.

Geopolitical shocks drove oil from $72 to $100, triggering inflation concerns and equity market declines. A sharp style rotation favored value over growth and small-caps over large-caps. Fixed income provided stability while diversification proved essential. Ongoing geopolitical risks and sticky inflation suggest continued volatility, but dispersion is creating opportunities for balanced portfolios.

Meridian Small Cap Growth Fund declined 8.37% in Q1 2026, underperforming on healthcare allocation headwinds amid Iran conflict and trade tensions. Software holdings pressured by AI fears while tungsten producer Almonty surged on Chinese export restrictions. Manager maintains quality-focused approach, targeting businesses with sustainable advantages positioned to navigate geopolitical uncertainty and benefit from AI infrastructure spending.

Opal Capital navigated Q1 2026 volatility through quality-focused dividend strategies that outperformed during market rotation away from momentum toward value. The firm views this shift as early-stage risk repricing, maintaining defensive positioning in international markets and quality companies while avoiding overvalued U.S. segments amid persistent geopolitical and inflation risks.

Q1 2026 Middle East tensions triggered European equity corrections but restored attractive valuations at 13.9x P/E versus 20.5x US. Energy sector outperformed while value beat growth significantly. Recent Iran ceasefire reduces oil price pressures. European fundamentals remain solid with recovering manufacturing, controlled inflation, and 10% earnings growth expectations intact for potential rebound.

49 Financial navigated Q1 2026 volatility through quality-focused positioning in dividend-oriented strategies while avoiding concentrated, overvalued U.S. segments. The firm sees emerging market dispersion and geopolitical risks as structural shifts favoring active management and international diversification. Portfolio emphasizes quality, global diversification, and value opportunities as fundamentals reassert themselves over index-driven momentum.

Lyrical's value strategy underperformed in 1Q26 despite strong earnings growth from 92% of holdings, as valuation compression offset fundamental gains. Portfolio trades at attractive 11.3x P/E with 10.9% historical growth rates exceeding S&P 500 by 4+ points and lower economic sensitivity.

LHC Capital's software-focused fund fell 23.8% as AI disruption fears triggered indiscriminate selling across the sector. Despite strong operational results from holdings like Wisetech and Pro Medicus, markets questioned software terminal values. Management argues their mission-critical systems with high switching costs will benefit from AI adoption and has increased conviction positions at attractive prices.

Confluence maintains constructive positioning with low recession risk over three years, expecting dovish Fed policy to support risk markets despite persistent above-target inflation. The firm favors large caps over small caps due to passive flow advantages, increased international exposure for valuation appeal, and maintains gold as geopolitical hedge while shortening fixed income duration.

Avenue navigates 2026's geopolitical turmoil by focusing on quality investments. The U.S.-Iran war disrupts global oil supply, benefiting holdings like Canadian Natural Resources. AI threatens software models while private credit faces redemption stress. Avenue's quality approach emphasizes businesses with stable profitability that can withstand uncertainty, positioning for opportunities emerging from current market volatility.

Ariel Focus Fund outperformed significantly in Q1 2026 (+7.30% vs S&P 500's -4.33%) as energy holdings benefited from Middle East conflict-driven oil price spikes. APA Corporation and SLB Limited were top contributors while Oracle and Bank of America faced sector-specific headwinds. Managers maintain cautious outlook given rising recession risks but emphasize disciplined value approach targeting quality businesses.

Ariel Small Cap Value returned +0.92% net in Q1 2026, underperforming benchmarks amid Middle East conflict-driven volatility. Top contributors Generac and Lindblad benefited from data center demand and cruise recovery respectively, while Norwegian Cruise Line and Mattel detracted. Manager maintains cautious 2026 outlook citing recession risks but emphasizes long-term discipline in quality companies.

ARK's innovation ETFs underperformed in Q1 2026 amid AI disruption fears and geopolitical tensions, with ARKK declining 12.22%. The SaaSpocalypse validated ARK's strategy of avoiding traditional SaaS for AI infrastructure plays. Key additions included Broadcom, OpenAI, and biotech names. Despite volatility, ARK sees AI platform shift creating long-term opportunities across multiple innovation themes.

Japan Opportunities Fund gained 2.42% in Q1 2026, lagging the TOPIX on software weakness from AI disruption fears. Tokio Marine surged on Berkshire partnership while Tokyo Ohka Kogyo benefited from semiconductor materials demand. Manager remains constructive on Japan's structural outlook, emphasizing quality stock selection amid political stability and corporate governance improvements.

Peak Asset Management navigated Q1 2026 volatility with the S&P 500 recovering from a 9% decline to near-neutral levels. Manager McCorvie monitors oil prices, interest rates, and AI-driven earnings growth as key market health indicators. Despite elevated uncertainty from Iran War and AI development questions, he emphasizes disciplined risk management over risk avoidance for long-term investment success.

Fairlight's quality-focused global small-cap fund underperformed with -14.2% quarterly returns despite strong underlying company earnings. Key holdings Diploma and Halma benefited from AI data center trends, rising 50%+ annually. Market volatility from geopolitical tensions created buying opportunities. Management added to discounted positions and initiated new investments, maintaining confidence in 13% forecasted EPS growth and long-term outperformance potential.

Open Square Capital delivered 47.7% returns in Q1 2026 by positioning for higher oil prices ahead of the US-Iran conflict. The Strait of Hormuz closure created a supply shock exceeding COVID's impact, with 700-800 million barrels lost. Manager expects oil to settle at $80-90/barrel long-term, benefiting concentrated energy holdings including Occidental Petroleum warrants and offshore drilling exposure through Valaris.

RTW Biotech delivered -1.3% in Q1 amid market volatility but benefited from accelerating M&A activity including two portfolio acquisitions at significant premiums. Capital markets are reopening with follow-on activity tripling year-over-year. The concentrated biotech portfolio focuses on transformative life sciences assets with major oncology catalysts expected at upcoming medical conferences.

Small-cap growth fund capitalizing on AI infrastructure boom through data center cooling, electrical equipment, and fiber optic companies while maintaining exposure to natural gas midstream and aerospace defense. Near-term volatility from Middle East tensions creates opportunity as hyperscaler spending commitments underpin multi-year growth visibility for portfolio companies.

Small-cap growth fund underperformed amid AI software disruption and geopolitical oil shock. Managers remain bullish on agentic AI infrastructure beneficiaries and data center ecosystem growth. Strong performance from aerospace services and cloud infrastructure holdings offset by waste management and private markets headwinds. Positioned for U.S. business spending acceleration driven by AI infrastructure demand.

Desert Lion Capital's concentrated South African equity strategy outperformed significantly in March's market selloff, demonstrating low correlation benefits. The fund's value-oriented approach targets mispriced opportunities like iOCO, a transformed IT services company trading at attractive multiples with strong operational improvements. Manager sees favorable cyclical rotation into emerging markets and value ahead.

Ophir sees Iran war creating temporary small cap opportunities rather than structural risks. Bond market pressure should end conflict within weeks. Small caps offer compelling value with US at 15x P/E and Australian at 13.9x P/E - lowest relative valuations in decades. Nvidia cheaper than ExxonMobil exemplifies sentiment extremes creating potential mispricings for patient capital.

The fund underperformed in Q1 2026 as Oracle and DraftKings detracted despite strong fundamentals, while Eaton and Howmet contributed through data center and aerospace exposure. Managers remain constructive, emphasizing AI-driven capital investment opportunities and using their long-term approach to capitalize on market volatility to find mispriced growth companies.

Fund outperformed during volatile quarter marked by Iran conflict and AI disruption fears. Strong stock selection in AI infrastructure companies like Keysight and TSMC offset headwinds from exclusionary criteria limiting energy exposure. Managers focus on durable franchises with pricing power positioned for long-term sustainability themes and AI infrastructure buildout.

UK small-caps declined 7% in Q1 amid geopolitical tensions and energy price volatility. Energy and infrastructure holdings outperformed while real estate lagged. After a lost decade, managers see compelling value with attractive valuations, improving earnings momentum, and robust corporate balance sheets positioning the portfolio for recovery when conditions improve.

Strategic Bond Fund navigates dramatic regime shift as Middle East conflict drives commodity shock and inflation concerns. Fund maintains low duration positioning while floating rate assets outperform. Government bonds provide no equity diversification in current environment. Central banks reassessing rate policy as conflict creates systemic energy supply risks and potential inflation shock.

Forager deployed cash during the Q1 2026 'Saaspocalypse' selloff, targeting undervalued software companies with high switching costs and mission-critical functions. The fund believes AI creates opportunities for incumbents through cost reduction rather than universal disruption. With technology stocks down 30-40%, management sees attractive investment opportunities emerging from indiscriminate selling.

RAM SMID outperformed 9.21% vs 4.77% for Russell 2500 Value despite Iran conflict volatility. Continued rotation from large-cap tech to neglected small caps drove outperformance. Semiconductor recovery and regional bank opportunities remain key themes. Portfolio maintains focus on financially strong companies positioned for 2-3 year value creation regardless of geopolitical outcomes.

Brown Capital's International Fund fell 13.73% in Q1 2026 due to AI derating pressuring tech holdings. Despite underperformance, the manager maintains conviction in quality businesses now trading at 67% discounts to historical averages. They believe these companies are positioned to benefit from AI adoption rather than be disrupted by it, expecting fundamentals to eventually drive performance.

Robert Walters trades at £60m market cap versus £116m NAV, offering £20m downside protection for a business capable of £40m annual profits. Sequential improvement evident with Japan returning to 13% growth, UK stabilizing, and operational leverage from 10% headcount reduction while productivity rises 9%. March's 5% growth suggests profitability inflection point reached.

Mid-cap growth fund focused on AI infrastructure beneficiaries like Vertiv and Quanta Services, which drove outperformance despite broader sector weakness. Energy exposure provided upside from Iran tensions pushing oil above $100. Managers remain constructive on cyclical areas benefiting from AI spending despite geopolitical uncertainty, expecting current volatility to be temporary as valuations normalize.

Mid-cap growth fund navigated AI disruption and geopolitical energy shock in Q1 2026. Manager sees opportunity in data center ecosystem benefiting from agentic AI adoption. Top performers included infrastructure plays like Comfort Systems and Vertiv. Software names faced pressure from conservative guidance. Maintains conviction in quality compounders despite near-term volatility.

Concentrated global small-cap portfolio suffered 15.7% Q1 decline primarily from AI disruption fears affecting three core holdings despite continued business growth. Manager increased conviction positions during drawdown, viewing current prices as disconnected from fundamentals. Portfolio companies expected to grow earnings 23% annually versus 12% market average, creating compelling value opportunity.

Bristlemoon Global Fund suffered a -25.5% drawdown in Q1 2026 from AI disruption fears hitting software holdings, despite stable fundamentals. The narrative-driven selloff created compelling valuations in quality businesses like AppLovin and FICO. Management refined position sizing to manage volatility while maintaining conviction in long-term earnings power of concentrated portfolio.

Capicraft's energy positioning drove strong Q1 performance as geopolitical tensions created supply shock. Manager positioned beyond immediate oil impact, adding agricultural and fertilizer exposure ahead of planting season disruptions. While markets price quick resolution, physical supply normalization may take months, creating opportunity in timing mismatch between market expectations and supply chain realities.

Frank Value Fund slightly underperformed in Q1 but maintains strong long-term outperformance through disciplined value investing. Manager Brian Frank criticizes SpaceX's upcoming $2 trillion IPO and fast-track index inclusion as exploitation of passive investors, while positioning the fund in overlooked opportunities like healthcare companies with 8% free cash flow yields versus overvalued technology giants.

Langdon's Canadian small-cap fund underperformed in Q1 as markets favored gold stocks over their quality-focused approach. The strategy targets scarce combinations of strong cash flows, balance sheets, and management teams. PrairieSky Royalty, a royalty business with no operational risk, became the largest holding. Short-term divergence is accepted as the cost of disciplined, concentrated investing focused on long-term compounding.

Strong Q1 outperformance driven by energy surge and quality stock selection amid geopolitical tensions and AI reassessment. Energy names up 30% while AI fears created attractive entry points in quality businesses. Repositioning toward energy, materials, and defensive sectors while maintaining discipline on high-quality businesses at reasonable valuations.

Logica's volatility strategies faced headwinds in March as geopolitical whipsaw from Iran conflict created expensive options environment with insufficient realized movement. Despite VIX elevated at 25-30, low realized volatility limited trading opportunities. LAA outperformed S&P by 105bps but March 31 reversal hurt positioning. Strategies positioned for asymmetric upside if volatility alignment occurs.

Marram maintains defensive positioning with 44% cash amid macro headwinds and AI uncertainty. Energy infrastructure at 28% NAV provides stable cash flows and inflation protection. The manager emphasizes current yields over uncertain growth, having reduced exposures and harvested gains. Strategy remains patient opportunism, waiting for attractive bargains to emerge from rising volatility.

Purpose Credit Opportunities Fund navigated March volatility with defensive positioning while adding energy exposure through Gran Tierra bonds and Enbridge preferreds. The team reduced consumer credit risk amid rising inflation and oil prices, maintaining mid-6% yield with conservative stance. Strong five-year outperformance continues through disciplined credit selection.

Pender Small Cap delivered 4.0% in Q1 2026 despite tech volatility from AI disruption fears. Energy holdings like Saturn Oil & Gas surged 150% on geopolitical supply shocks while software names like Coveo faced pressure. Managers used resource strength to rotate back into undervalued technology opportunities, believing current compression creates long-term value as AI integration accelerates.