Revisiting ”MicroCaps” White Paper, International MicroCaps and Industrials/Tech/Consumer Sector Takes with Donald Porter, Portfolio Manager
Sep 5, 2023
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Donald Porter, Portfolio Manager and Equity Research Analyst, discusses the current state of MicroCaps, challenges faced by managers, ideal scenario for MicroCap investing, analysis of industrial and tech sectors, influence of AI on the industrial sector and stock market, MicroCap perspective on consumer and tech sectors, and investing in Canadian tech and MicroCaps.
Microcap stocks still present a compelling investment opportunity in 2023, with options for stock picking and a focus on well-run companies with strong balance sheets.
Rising interest rates, cyclical recovery in industries like industrials and technology, and the dominance of large-cap tech companies all impact sentiment in the microcap market, but there are still opportunities to navigate and capitalize on.
Deep dives
Microcap stocks continue to present compelling investment opportunities
In this podcast episode, the host interviews Donald Porter, a portfolio manager and equity research analyst, who discusses why microcap stocks still present a compelling investment opportunity in 2023. Despite the challenges faced by microcap stocks, such as lack of coverage and liquidity, Porter highlights that there are numerous options to choose from for stock picking. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on well-run companies with strong balance sheets and avoiding lower quality companies with high levels of debt. Porter also explores the potential of international microcap investing, particularly in developed markets like the Nordics and Japan. He explains that the intersection of software and payment technology is an interesting sector to watch. Overall, the podcast highlights the inefficiencies and opportunities in microcap stocks and encourages investors to carefully navigate the unique landscape of this asset class.
Factors that could impact microcap sentiment
The podcast delves into the factors that could potentially impact sentiment in the microcap market. While sentiment in microcaps has been negative for nearly two years, the speaker suggests that a cyclical recovery in industries like industrials and technology could contribute to a shift in sentiment. Rising interest rates may also impact sentiment, especially for tech stocks. However, the dominance of large-cap tech companies poses a challenge for smaller microcaps to compete. The speaker acknowledges that private equity and the delayed entry of companies into the public market have been headwinds for microcap investing. Despite these challenges, the speaker remains optimistic about the opportunities in microcap stocks, particularly when considering access and focus within larger fund organizations.
The state of microcap funds
The podcast provides insights into the state of microcap funds. It references the relatively small number of active microcap funds, which is approximately 70, with only 15 being mutual funds. The speaker suggests that the mutual fund structure may not be ideal for launching microcap funds due to higher costs and potential limitations. However, the speaker believes there is still ample opportunity in the microcap space and encourages interested investors to consider launching funds with a focus on microcaps within larger fund organizations. The microcap space is seen as an underfought and potentially valuable asset class that offers opportunities for active management and value creation.
Future plans for microcap investing
The speaker expresses interest in launching a dedicated microcap fund, either independently or in partnership with others. They highlight the importance of deep knowledge of microcap companies and the ability to identify promising investment opportunities within the vast microcap universe. The speaker emphasizes the goal of delivering value to investors by outperforming the market while also providing exposure to uncorrelated assets. They believe that a well-executed microcap fund can generate significant value and aims to create a portfolio that beats relevant indexes and meets investor expectations.
My guest on the show today is Donald Porter, Portfolio Manager and most recently an Equity Research Analyst at Wellington Management. I am extremely grateful that I've had the opportunity to host this podcast for the last 8 years - I say this because, this sounds crazy to say, I last hosted Donald on the show in July 2016, when he was at DGHM to discuss his first white paper "MicroCaps Value Uncovered." We were reconnected by Doug Porter from Acuitas Investments (no relation by the way - thank you Doug), and it just so happens that Donald had updated his white paper on why MicroCap stocks still present a compelling investment opportunity in 2023. We chat about the current MicroCap environment, international MicroCaps, his quick takes on various sectors and more!
Today's episode is sponsored by:
Stream by AlphaSense, an expert interview transcript library that integrates AI-generated call summaries and NLP search technology so their clients can quickly pinpoint the most critical insights. Start your FREE trial on their website: https://streamrg.co/PMC
Planet MicroCap Podcast is on YouTube! All archived episodes and each new episode will be posted on the SNN Network YouTube channel. I’ve provided the link in the description if you’d like to subscribe. You’ll also get the chance to watch all our Video Interviews with management teams, educational panels from the conference, as well as expert commentary from some familiar guests on the podcast.
The Planet MicroCap Podcast is brought to you by SNN Incorporated, The Official MicroCap News Source, and the Planet MicroCap Review Magazine, the leading magazine in the MicroCap market.
You can Follow the Planet MicroCap Podcast on Twitter @BobbyKKraft
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