UK small cap stocks weathering the storm
Neil Hermon, Portfolio Manager of The Henderson Smaller Companies Trust, provides an update on the Trust, covering performance year-to-date, how small-cap growth stocks are faring in this environment, and areas where he is finding opportunities.
Key takeaways:
- Small-cap growth stocks have struggled to begin the year amid concerns that higher interest rates to curb inflation will weigh on global growth. Unexpectedly weak data and recurring lockdowns in China have also served as a headwind.
- Despite rising labour, energy, and raw material costs – small cap stocks, overall, have been quite resilient as companies with strong pricing power have been able to pass on costs to consumers.
- The outlook remains uncertain given that macro-headwinds remain in play. However, the microenvironment is encouraging – companies have solid cashflows and balance sheets, are successfully dealing with rising costs and dividends are recovering.
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These are the views of the author at the time of publication and may differ from the views of other individuals/teams at Janus Henderson Investors. References made to individual securities do not constitute a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any security, investment strategy or market sector, and should not be assumed to be profitable. Janus Henderson Investors, its affiliated advisor, or its employees, may have a position in the securities mentioned.
Past performance does not predict future returns. The value of an investment and the income from it can fall as well as rise and you may not get back the amount originally invested.
The information in this article does not qualify as an investment recommendation.
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