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Small Company Equity Strategy

The strategy seeks to outperform the Russell 2000 Index with less volatility over a market cycle.  

  • Dedicated small cap team with experience over market cycles
  • Objective is to outperform consistently with lower volatility over market cycles
  • Seek to achieve lower down market capture through deliberate risk management
  • Strive to add value through security selection driven by fundamental research process execution
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Core

STYLE

Russell 2000

BENCHMARK

April 1, 2013

INCEPTION
$1.3 Billion

ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT

As of 3/31/2024

U.S. Small Cap Core Equity

EVESTMENT UNIVERSE

Separate Account

Mutual Fund

INVESTMENT VEHICLES

Philosophy

We believe earnings growth is the primary driver of long-term equity returns, and we only invest in profitable small cap companies to capture positive returns and reduce downside volatility risk. We believe quality fundamental characteristics are critical to risk management and lower downside volatility. The strategy's sell discipline is driven by an investment thesis change that results in earnings uncertainty and permanently lower future earnings potential.

Portfolio Construction

  • Team seeks to invest in a diversified portfolio of 65 - 75 companies. 
  • The starting universe typically consists of securities with a market capitalization less than $7 billion and adequate liquidity. 
  • Team conducts a thorough analysis of each name, with specific emphasis on the business model, industry dynamics, and corporate strategy.
  • The strategy may not invest more than 3% in any single security at the time of purchase, and targets 15% to 30% allocation to each economic sector.
  • Individual position sizes vary but are generally within the range of 1.0% - 2.0%. The typical number of stocks in the portfolio varies depending on market conditions and analyst conviction.
  • Portfolio turnover has averaged 60% over the previous five years.

Meet the Team

Jason Ronovech

Jason V. Ronovech, CFA

Vice President, Senior Portfolio Manager

Career Summary
Sentinel Investments
Paradigm Capital Management
Prudential Financial

Education 
BA - Hamilton College

Meet Jason Ronovech
Headshot of Srikanth Gullapalli

Srikanth Gullapalli

Vice President, Senior Equity Research Manager

Career Summary
Congress Asset Management

Education
BCom - Osmania University
MBA - Vignana Jyothi Institute of Management 
MS - University of Saint Thomas

Meet Srikanth Gullapalli
John Stewart

John T. Stewart

Assistant Vice President, Senior Equity Research Manager 

Career Summary
Sentinel Group
National Life Insurance Company
General Dynamics

Education
BA - University of Vermont
MBA - University of Vermont

Meet John Stewart
Lenny Valvano

Lenny A. Valvano, CFA

Equity Research Manager

Career Summary
Paradigm Capital Management

Education 
BS - Siena College

Meet Lenny Valvano

Connect with Fort Washington

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IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES
Frank Russell Company (FRC) 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 pertaining to FRC and unauthorized use, disclosure, copying, dissemination or redistribution is strictly prohibited. This is a Fort Washington presentation of the Russell Index data. Frank Russell Company is not responsible for the formatting or configuration of this material or for any inaccuracy in Fort Washington’s presentation thereof.