Small-cap stocks and ETFs have been lagging large-cap counterparts for months, a scenario that has some market observers pondering the possibilities of more significant declines broader benchmarks, but it’s also possible that smaller stocks rebound in intense fashion over the near-term.
The AGFiQ U.S. Market Neutral Size Fund (NYSEArca: SIZ) is an excellent avenue for investors looking to harness strength in smaller stocks while exploiting large-cap laggards, should that scenario emerge.
SIZ “provides consistent exposure to the size factor by investing in the underlying index which reconstitutes and rebalances monthly in equal dollar amounts in equally weighted long smaller market capitalization positions and equally weighted short larger market capitalization positions within each sector,” according to the issuer.
Larger Gap Than Ever
Thus far, the performance between small-cap equities versus large-cap equities is seeing a larger gap than ever before, which could be signaling that something is awry in the economy. However, something could be brewing that could make investors want to take a second look at small caps for a potential value play in the works.
Due to the domestic focus of small-cap companies, it was also believed these stocks would be less vulnerable to global trade spats, but recent price action in the group suggests otherwise. Market observers warned that small caps often struggled as economic expansions neared their end, especially since they are hampered by rising wages and borrowing costs, which may be particularly likely in the years ahead.
However, recent data indicate the economy is still expanding and that could bode well for SIZ.
Related: Forget Volatility, Nifty Size Factor ETF Could be Ready to Party
On Thursday, the second-quarter GDP revision was pared down to growth of 2.1%. There was some good news in that GDP report that indicates the oft-discussed recession isn’t as imminent as previously thought,” according to InvestorPlace. “Second-quarter consumer spending surged 4.7%, above the 4.3% forecast in July, good for the best reading in five years.”
Weak inflation could help strengthen the small-cap segment since these smaller companies are more closely tied to the domestic economy than heir larger multi-national peers. Small-caps are more insulated from the negative effects of a strong USD since most of their revenue come from the domestic economy, whereas larger companies have more overseas exposure, so foreign revenues are smaller when converted back to the strong dollar.
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