SMID Cap Growth – Q3 2022 Commentary

Quarter Summary:

It was another difficult (and volatile) quarter for U.S. equity market returns, driven by macro factors as the peak and duration of higher interest rates continued to be debated and absorbed into both valuations and future earnings expectations. Broad inflation measures (CPI/PPI) continued to come in hot and the Federal Reserve aggressively increased the target federal funds rate two times during the quarter to 3.00-3.25%, the highest absolute level since 2008. Additionally, they made it clear that they will continue to move rates up and keep them there until inflation is under control. As a result, the two-year Treasury ended the quarter at 4.22% (up from 2.84%) and expectations of a broader and deeper recession increased. The result was a broadening out of negative equity returns with the S&P® 500 Index (large caps) -4.9% and the Russell 2000® (small caps) -2.2%, resulting in year-to-date declines of -23.9% and -25.1%, respectively. The Russell 2500™ Growth Index (small cap growth) was actually an area of relative outperformance in Q3, with a small negative return of -0.12%. Unfortunately, that is likely because this was already the hardest hit area in the first half of the year as the initial move up in rates had a disproportionate impact on high growth valuations, with the year-to-date decline of -29.5% still worse than the broader market averages. This recent move up in rates (along with the strong dollar) increases the risk of recession and thus broader earnings risk. These shifting concerns could also be seen within the Russell 2500™ Growth Index, with the range of Q3 returns across sectors quite significant (from -13% to +5%). Health Care was the most significant positive contributor, driven by a recovery in Biotechnology stocks (+11.5% in Q3 to -29.0% YTD). Our strategy struggled relatively in this period due to structural underweights in both Biotechnology and Energy, in addition to several stock- specific issues within Health Care.

Performance:

The KCM SMID Cap Growth (SCG) composite decreased -3.24% (gross of fees) and -3.39% (net of fees) for the 3rd quarter of 2022, underperforming the Russell 2500™ Growth (R2500G) Index, which decreased -0.12%, by -312 bps (gross of fees) and -327 bps (net of fees). Year-to-date, the SCG composite decreased -32.44% (gross of fees) and -32.76% (net of fees), underperforming the R2500G Index, which decreased -29.54%, by -290 bps (gross of fees) and -322 bps (net of fees). Additional performance information is included in the table below.

Data as of 9/30/2022

On a relative basis, Information Technology and Consumer Staples were the best-performing sectors versus the benchmark. Information Technology benefited from the announced acquisition of one of our software holdings by a private equity firm. The strength in Consumer Staples was again led by a provider of branded, affordable cosmetic and skin-care products. The company has continued to demonstrate strong sales momentum primarily due to the launch of new brands. The company has also been successful in increasing prices, which should aid margins in the future, particularly as supply chain cost pressures ease.

Our largest detractors to relative performance for the quarter were Health Care and Industrials. The greatest individual detractor in Health Care was a provider of medication management automation solutions to hospital and retail pharmacies. The stock declined in the quarter due to concerns about lower hospital capital expenditures in 2023 as the economy weakens. While we anticipate some order slowdown due to the economy, our channel checks indicate that the company’s solutions are a higher priority item for hospital systems, and we believe the impact will be less severe than shares are beginning to reflect. Industrials was impacted by a decline in a company that manufactures and sells various components and sub-systems for aerospace and defense applications. The stock more than gave back its positive year-to-date performance (which was in response to activist shareholder involvement) following a disappointing Q2 earnings report and FY23 outlook due to ongoing semiconductor shortages. Bookings were up strongly – the main forward indicator we have been watching for recovery – however they are currently unable to execute on these opportunities.

For the year-to-date period, relative performance was positive in the top outperforming sectors of Information Technology and Consumer Staples. Health Care and Industrials were the largest detractors to performance.

Outlook:

We expect the short term will continue to be dominated by inflation and interest rates vs. the resulting demand destruction. The path forward is increasingly tricky as these tensions are balanced in a globally levered financial system. We have seen the initial cracks on each side: inflation will lessen (majority of industrial commodity prices have round tripped, freight costs down) and demand will weaken (apparel, new houses, channel inventories). The questions are now magnitudes, time frames, and any specific nuances to this business cycle (they all rhyme but are never exactly the same!). Tactically, we need to be aware of the range of outcomes and the impact on the overall portfolio. In that regard, we would remind you of our last letter where we noted that “the next 6 months should be very telling” for these items. We are only several months into this discovery process and expect at least another quarter of data will be needed before we have greater clarity. This process simply takes time – there is no way to rush it. Patience is particularly important. But at some point, visibility on these key macro inputs will settle out and the market will again focus on individual company earnings execution. We spend the majority of our time preparing the portfolio for that day – determining how the new environment impacts our company’s returns and earnings, what unique opportunities they have for growth, and where the greatest value gaps exist in the market. We are fully aware that our portfolio of companies must be able to navigate the next 12 months but are keeping our focus on the 3–to 5-year growth opportunities.

As we enter this crucial 3rd quarter earnings season, we will remain focused on individual company results and listening to their respective outlooks. We continue to hold slightly greater cash balances than typical and, once we see signs that inflation has clearly peaked, expect to be more aggressive in adding (or increasing existing) investments where we have conviction in the medium-term earnings potential vs. market expectations. Valuations and expectations have declined significantly, presenting increasingly more attractive long-term opportunities to consider.

Thank you for your continued confidence in the Kennedy Capital team. Should you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,

Portfolio Manager

Portfolio Manager

Important Disclosures

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 fully 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.

Kennedy Capital Management LLC (“KCM”) is a Missouri corporation 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 contained herein. 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.

The SMID Cap Growth Composite invests in growth securities of predominately small and mid cap companies that generally have a market capitalization that is reflective of the Russell 2500™ Growth Index. The Manager generally looks for fundamentally strong companies that exhibit higher sales growth rates with lower Price/Sales-to-growth ratios than the average company in the Russell 2500™ Growth Index, and are more likely to experience positive earnings revisions and earnings acceleration. The weighted average market capitalization of the Account will generally be within 80% of the average market capitalization of the Russell 2500™ Growth 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.

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.

Portfolio Sector Weightings are subject to change at any time.  Sector weightings are based on the Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”) classification scheme and are measured as a percentage of the total portfolio 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 use by Kennedy Capital Management.  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.

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 Kennedy Capital Management.  Russell Investment Group is not responsible for the formatting or configuration of this material or for any inaccuracy in Kennedy Capital Management’s presentation thereof.   

The Russell 2500™ Growth Index measures the performance of the small to mid-cap growth segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 2500™ companies with relatively higher price-to-book ratios, higher I/B/E/S forecast medium term (2 year) growth and higher sales per share historical growth (5 year) The Russell 2500™ Growth Index is constructed to provide a comprehensive and unbiased barometer of the small to mid-cap growth market. The Index is completely reconstituted annually to ensure larger stocks do not distort the performance and characteristics of the true small to mid-cap opportunity set and that the represented companies continue to reflect growth characteristics.

The Russell 2000® Index measures the performance of the small-cap segment of the U.S. equity universe. The Russell 2000®  Index is a subset of the Russell 3000® Index representing approximately 7% of the total market capitalization of that index, as of the most recent reconstitution. It includes approximately 2000 of the smallest securities based on a combination of their market cap and current index membership. The Russell 2000® is constructed to provide a comprehensive and unbiased small-cap barometer and is completely reconstituted annually to ensure larger stocks do not distort the performance and characteristics of the true small-cap opportunity set.

The Russell 2500™ Growth Index 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.

The S&P 500^® is widely regarded as the best single gauge of large-cap U.S. equities. According to our Annual Survey of Assets, an estimated USD 13.5 trillion is indexed or benchmarked to the index, with indexed assets comprising approximately USD 5.4 trillion of this total (as of Dec. 31, 2020). The index includes 500 leading companies and covers approximately 80% of available market capitalization.