Phillip Hudak, Co-Portfolio Manager at Maple Brown Abbott, brings over 15 years of experience in small caps, while Noah Kaplan, Associate Portfolio Manager at Morningstar, specializes in quantitative strategies. They dive into the recent underperformance of Australian small caps compared to large caps, highlighting the unique opportunities within active management. The conversation explores market drivers, the influence of global economic trends, and critical sectors like resources and technology. They also discuss risk management strategies and the benefits of proactive investing in this fluctuating landscape.
Australian small caps have underperformed large caps, but active management can uncover opportunities for significant outperformance.
Understanding economic indicators is crucial for financial advisors to strategically adjust small-cap exposure in investment portfolios.
Deep dives
The Landscape of Australian Small Caps
Australian small-cap companies are often viewed as alternatives to mainstream larger companies. These small caps have a historical presence in the portfolios of many Australian investors, particularly during times of market volatility. Investing in small caps requires an understanding of the market cycle, as conditions can greatly impact performance. The conversation emphasizes the need for financial advisors to identify the right time to increase or decrease exposure to small-cap investments based on economic indicators.
Investment Strategies and Industry Insights
The discussion delves into the investment approaches employed by Maple Brown Abbott and Morningstar in managing Australian small-cap portfolios. Key themes include a focus on earnings sustainability and an opportunistic approach to sectors such as technology and materials. Notably, there is a mention of the increased potential for growth in smaller companies that promote innovation and expansion. The conversation highlights the historical strength of active management in capturing the unique opportunities presented in the small-cap market.
Global Economic Influences and Market Expectations
The current global economic landscape, particularly following political changes in the U.S., is explored for its potential impact on Australian markets. The analysts discuss how U.S. inflation and economic policies could influence Australian interest rates and consequently the performance of Australian small caps. They detail the expectations of an easing financial cycle in Australia, with projected interest rate cuts that could provide a tailwind to small-cap performance. Overall, it is posited that a favorable macro environment could lead to a resurgence in small-cap equities.
The Benefits of Active Management in Small Cap Investing
The importance of active management in small-cap investing is stressed, with evidence suggesting that active managers can significantly outperform their benchmarks. Small caps typically have less analyst coverage, leading to inefficiencies that active managers can exploit. It is pointed out that while many small-cap companies are financially healthy currently, careful selection is crucial to avoid underperforming stocks. The discussion underscores that the active management of small caps is vital for navigating risks and maximizing returns within the asset class.
The last few years have seen Australian small caps underperform large caps at the index level, making them an anomaly compared to other regions. But dig deeper and you will find plenty of local small cap active managers who continually outperform benchmarks. In this episode, host James Whelan is joined by Maple Brown Abbott Co-Portfolio Manager, Phillip Hudak, and Morningstar’s Noah Kaplan, to put Australian small caps under the microscope. Our experts discuss the structural drivers supporting Small Caps, the risks of small cap investing and strategies to mitigate these risks, the political and economic context, and tailwinds that could power the sector forward.