Micro Cap Opportunities – Q3 2024 Commentary

Market Review

The Russell Microcap® Index returned 8.29% in the third quarter of 2024, as optimism regarding a more accommodative monetary policy from the U.S. Federal Reserve and indications of economic resilience buoyed U.S. equity prices. Reflecting the outlook for lower rates, the Real Estate, Financials and Health Care sectors were the best performers in the Russell Microcap® index during the quarter, returning 13.97%, 13.87%, and 9.67%, respectively.  Partial offset was Energy (down 1.04%).  Despite the uncertain economic and political backdrop thus far in 2024, the Russell Microcap® has returned 7.38% on a year-to-date basis.

Performance Recap

The KCM Microcap Opportunities Composite returned 11.57% (gross of fees) and 11.43% (net of fees) in Q3, outperforming the Russell Microcap® Index by 328 basis points (gross) and 314 basis points (net). Stock selection was the driver of outperformance this quarter, with sector allocation slightly positive. The strongest performing sector on a relative basis was Information Technology, which added 139 bps, primarily driven by stock selection in the Application Software industry. The biggest detractor during the quarter was Consumer Discretionary, with 51 bps of relative underperformance. Additional performance information is included in the table below.

Data as of 09/30/2024

The largest individual detractor from portfolio performance in the quarter was a producer of medical devices used primarily in cardiac and neurostimulation procedures. The company is launching an innovative new product in their core market that should help increase their market share during the next few years. However, shares were relatively weak this quarter as investors digested that revenue growth from their new product will be more gradual given the need for each healthcare institution to approve the use of this innovative product before implanting into patients. Regardless of growth being more gradual, I don’t believe the long-term revenue profile is diminished for this innovative product.

The strongest-performing stock in the quarter was a provider of marketing software that helps clients automate and expand their ability to reach their audiences. The company has been generating strong growth over the last few years and their recent entry into advertising agency market has expanded their opportunity set this year. While we believe the company still has significant growth in front of them, the market capitalization has increased beyond microcap, and we’ve been trimming the position and reinvesting in new ideas.

Outlook

In discussions with company management teams, a common refrain is a pause in decision making prior to the upcoming presidential election.  While not entirely logical, many of these conversations may suggest that the election outcome isn’t particularly relevant to key decisions on capital spending, growth plans, or new product launches.  Rather, simply having the election behind us will provide a clearer path and reason for optimism.

We continue to see a steady drum beat of acquisition activity amongst microcap companies, with another deal announced in early October.  Aerospace/Industrial company Barnes Group, Inc., which is undergoing a turnaround, agreed to be acquired by private equity firm Apollo Funds.  This transaction is another reminder that oftentimes the turnaround of a business is much easier to execute outside of the public domain, which may result in an increased likelihood of M&A activity.

We have slightly moderated the number of positions in the portfolio, a trend that is expected to continue in the quarters ahead.  This is largely a function of assuring the portfolio has adequate exposure to our most compelling investment ideas and taking a slightly more deliberate approach to “starter” positions, all while maintaining awareness of trading liquidity.  As we strive to optimize performance, we believe managing the portfolio in a slightly more concentrated manner should afford more opportunities for alpha generation while sustaining an appropriate level of diversification.

Thanks to all our clients who attended Kennedy Capital’s investment symposium in September.  We hope you found the event insightful, thought-provoking, and perhaps even a bit fun.

As always, we thank you for your support, and please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. 

Sincerely,

Sean McMahon

Portfolio Manager

Important Disclosures

Kennedy Capital Management LLC (“KCM”) is a Delaware limited liability company headquartered in Missouri.  KCM is registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Registration with the SEC does not imply any level of skill or training. Clients of the Firm include U.S. corporations, pension and profit sharing funds, colleges and universities, trusts, not-for-profit organizations, foundations, and individuals. KCM claims compliance with the Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS®). GIPS® is a registered trademark of CFA Institute. CFA Institute does not endorse or promote this organization, nor does it warrant the accuracy or quality of the content. GIPS® are a set of standardized, industry-wide ethical principles that provide investment firms with guidance on calculating and reporting their investment results to prospective clients to ensure fair representation and full disclosure of an investment firm’s performance history.

 Although the statements of fact and data in this report have been obtained from, and are based upon, sources that the Firm believes to be reliable, we do not guarantee their accuracy, and any such information may be incomplete or condensed. All opinions included in this report constitute the Firm’s judgment as of the date of this report and are subject to change without notice. This report is for informational purposes only and is not intended as an offer or solicitation with respect to the purchase or sale of any security. A complete list of all securities recommended by KCM in the preceding year, a full compliant GIPS Composite Report, and the list of composite descriptions are available upon request from KCM at 10829 Olive Blvd., Suite 100. St. Louis, MO, 63141.

The Micro Cap Opportunities Composite contains fully discretionary micro cap accounts that are invested primarily in micro cap companies (market cap generally in line with Russell Microcap® index) that have opportunities to grow within their respective markets. For comparison purposes the composite is measured against the Russell Microcap® Index. The U.S. Dollar is the currency used to express performance.

Composite specific data provided within this presentation has been calculated from accounts that are discretionary as defined in this paragraph. The assets shown are derived only from discretionary accounts. Non-discretionary accounts, as defined by KCM, are accounts that are not included in the composite due to one or any combination of the following criteria: there were significant cash inflows or outflows within the account; the account’s asset level did not meet the minimum requirement to remain in the composite; the account assets are managed by others using our non-discretionary model. The temporary removal of such an account occurs at the beginning of the month and the account re-enters the composite the month after the criteria has been met.

Performance returns are presented gross and net of investment advisory fees and include the reinvestment of all income. Gross of fee returns reflect the deduction of transaction costs and custodian fees but do not reflect the deduction of investment advisory fees. Net of fee performance is calculated using gross returns less the actual applicable annual management fee applied monthly. Past performance is not indicative of future results. A client’s return will be reduced by the advisory fees as described in Form ADV Part 2A and other expenses incurred by the account. For example, an annual advisory fee of 1% compounded quarterly over 10 years will reduce a gross 14.44% annual return to a net 13.32% annual return. Form ADV Part 2A is available upon request.

The performance figures reported herein are unaudited, may be based upon information obtained via electronic data sources (”feeds”) and may be subject to change. Data feeds from many of KCM clients’ selected custodians are obtained through third party sources, and are used to compare custodial data to KCM’s client account records as frequently as daily. Monthly, KCM reviews clients’ account holdings along with cash and share quantities against the custodial statements. In some instances, variances may exist between final audited custodial information and the information KCM obtains via such data feeds. Generally, any such variances are researched and reconciled within thirty days of the period end.

The information provided should not be considered a recommendation to purchase or sell any particular security. There is no assurance that any securities discussed herein will remain in a KCM portfolio at the time you receive this letter or that securities sold have not been repurchased. Allocations among industries, sectors and securities may vary and are subject to change without notice. Any securities discussed do not represent an account’s entire portfolio and, in the aggregate, may represent only a small percentage of an account’s portfolio holdings. It should not be assumed that any of the industry or sector allocation decisions mentioned, or securities transactions or holdings discussed were or will be profitable, or that the investment recommendations or decisions we make in the future will be profitable or will equal the investment performance of the securities discussed herein.

Sector Weightings are subject to change at any time.  Sectors are based on the Global Industry Classification Standard (”GICS”) classification scheme. Both are measured as a percentage of the total composite in terms of asset value as of the date indicated above. Individual client portfolios may be different based on variations in security purchase price and date, and individual client restrictions.

GICS was developed by and is the exclusive property and a service mark of Morgan Stanley Capital International, Inc. (”MSCI”) and Standard & Poor’s, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (”S&P”) and is licensed for the use by KCM. Neither MSCI, S&P, nor any other party involved in making or compiling the GICS or any GICS classifications makes any express or implied warranties or representations with respect to such standard or classification (or the results thereof),and all such parties hereby expressly disclaim all warranties of originality, accuracy, completeness, merchantability, and fitness for a particular purpose with respect to any of such standard or classification. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall MSCI, S&P, any of their affiliates or any third party involved in making or compiling the GICS or any GICS classifications have any liability for any direct, indirect, special, punitive, consequential or any other damages (including lost profits) even if notified of the possibility of such damages.

Allocations to various assets classes change over time and deviate from any stated or targeted percentages of a total portfolio as a result of market conditions and reallocation decisions. Therefore, nothing herein reflects a static portfolio allocation that will remain the same or match stated target allocations of asset classes.

Russell Investment Group is the source and owner of the Russell Index data contained or reflected in this material and all trademarks and copyrights related thereto. The presentation may contain confidential information and unauthorized use, disclosure, copying, dissemination or redistribution is strictly prohibited. This is a presentation of KCM. Russell Investment Group is not responsible for the formatting or configuration of this material or for any inaccuracy in KCM’s presentation thereof.

The Russell Microcap® Index measures the performance of the microcap segment of the U.S. equity universe. Microcap stocks make up less than 2% of the U.S. equity market (by market cap, as of the most recent reconstitution) and consist of the smallest 1,000 securities in the small-cap Russell 2000® Index, plus the next 1,000 smallest eligible securities by market cap. The Russell Microcap® Index is constructed to provide a comprehensive and unbiased barometer for the microcap segment trading on national exchanges, while excluding lesser-regulated OTC bulletin board securities and pink-sheet stocks due to their failure to meet national exchange listing requirements. The Index is completely reconstituted annually to ensure new and growing equities are reflected and companies continue to reflect appropriate capitalization and value characteristics.

The Russell Microcap® is used as the benchmark. The Index is unmanaged and represents total returns including reinvestment of dividends. The benchmark is used for comparative purposes only and generally reflects the comparable risk or investment style of the Firm’s strategy. The investment portfolios underlying the Index are different from the investments in the portfolios managed by the Firm. Certain accounts may also use other benchmarks not listed in the GIPS composite report. The Verification and Performance Examination Report does not cover the benchmark returns included in the GIPS composite report.  Investors cannot invest directly in an Index.