Finance

Unlocking Value: A Deep Dive into Small/Mid Cap Investment Excellence

Q1 2026 Performance Overview: Fund Exceeds Benchmark Expectations

For the initial quarter of 2026, the AMG GW&K Small/Mid Cap Core Fund, represented by its Class N shares, achieved a robust return of 3.45%. This performance notably surpassed its benchmark, the Russell 2500 Index, which recorded a return of 2.04% over the same period. This indicates a strong start to the year for the fund.

Annual Performance Analysis: A Year in Review

Examining the 12-month period concluding on March 31, 2026, the Fund delivered a respectable 17.66% return. While this figure was slightly below the Index's 23.45% for the identical timeframe, it reflects the dynamic nature of market fluctuations and the fund's ongoing efforts to generate value for its investors.

Attributing Outperformance: The Power of Stock Selection

The first quarter's superior performance was primarily attributed to exceptional stock selection rather than broad factor allocations. The fund's strategic choices in individual securities played a crucial role in its ability to outperform the market. This highlights the effectiveness of the investment team's research and analytical capabilities.

Strategic Portfolio Adjustments: Balancing Risk and Opportunity

Throughout the quarter, the fund maintained a strategic allocation, remaining slightly underweight in the energy sector and overweight in consumer discretionary. It introduced six new positions across various sectors, demonstrating a proactive approach to identifying new opportunities. Simultaneously, the fund prudently trimmed its holdings in outperforming stocks to manage risk exposure and enhance portfolio diversification, ensuring a balanced investment strategy.

Outlook for Small/Mid Caps: Navigating Uncertainty with Conviction

Despite the prevailing geopolitical uncertainties, the investment team expresses continued optimism regarding the potential for small and mid-cap companies to outperform. The strategy remains focused on identifying diversified holdings characterized by robust fundamentals and strong management. This forward-looking approach aims to capitalize on long-term value creation in an evolving market landscape.

This analysis delves into the contrasting speeds of cost pass-through observed in manufacturing sectors across developed and emerging economies, particularly in the wake of significant global energy disruptions. It highlights that developed nations have encountered markedly steeper cost escalations and a more protracted period for input-output price differentials to stabilize, a trend distinct from the swifter adjustments seen in their emerging counterparts. The study meticulously examines the factors underpinning these divergent responses, such as the ripple effects of geopolitical tensions and the state of labor markets, thereby shedding light on their broader ramifications for economic policy and stability.

During recent energy crises, such as the one triggered by the conflict in Ukraine and the current instability affecting the Strait of Hormuz, developed economies have shown a greater vulnerability to escalating manufacturing costs. This is evident when comparing manufacturing price indices, which reveal that cost increases were more pronounced in these advanced economies. In stark contrast, emerging markets demonstrated a remarkable agility in aligning their input costs with output prices, effectively closing the gap much more rapidly. This quick adjustment in emerging markets suggests a more flexible or perhaps less rigid pricing structure, allowing them to adapt to cost pressures with greater efficiency.

The distinction in how these economic blocs absorb and transmit costs is crucial for understanding global inflationary patterns. Developed markets, with their often more complex supply chains and entrenched economic structures, appear to transmit cost increases to consumers at a slower pace. This delay can lead to more persistent inflationary pressures, as businesses gradually pass on their higher expenses. Meanwhile, the quicker pass-through in emerging markets, while potentially leading to immediate price hikes, also allows for a faster normalization of price differentials, preventing prolonged inflationary spirals that can destabilize their economies.

Looking ahead, the evolving energy landscape, particularly in the Middle East, presents a scenario with both similarities and differences to past shocks. While the immediate trigger might be energy-related, the specific characteristics of the current situation will dictate whether the observed pass-through disparity between emerging and developed markets persists. Factors such as shifts in global trade routes, advancements in energy alternatives, and changes in commodity market dynamics will all play a role in shaping future cost transmission trends. Moreover, the sensitivity of various sectors to these shocks, particularly manufacturing, will remain a key area of focus for policymakers and economists alike.

A significant mitigating factor for developed markets in the current environment is the state of their labor markets. Unlike the conditions prevalent in 2022, developed economies now generally face softer labor market dynamics. This reduced pressure from wage demands could temper the "service sector stickiness"—a phenomenon where inflation persists due to high labor costs in service industries. If labor costs remain contained, it could alleviate some of the inflationary pressures that might otherwise prolong the pass-through period in developed nations, offering a glimmer of hope for a more stable economic outlook.

Ultimately, the varying speed of cost transmission highlights the diverse economic structures and resilience levels across the global economy. Developed economies must navigate the challenges of slower adjustments and potential inflationary persistence, while emerging markets, despite their initial susceptibility to rapid price changes, often demonstrate a more dynamic capacity for economic recalibration. These ongoing dynamics underscore the need for tailored economic strategies and agile policy responses to maintain stability and foster sustainable growth in an interconnected global marketplace.