Q1 2022 Putnam Small Cap Value Fund Q&A
- The fund outperformed its benchmark for the first quarter and for the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year and life-of-fund periods ended March 31, 2022.
- Given the macroeconomic and geopolitical backdrop, we believe taking some defensive steps and moving the fund to a more neutral posture is prudent.
- Recently, we reduced the fund's exposure to pure value stocks that had a tilt toward lower valuations over other qualities, such as earnings.
How did the fund perform in the first quarter?
In a challenging first quarter for financial markets, the fund delivered a positive return while its benchmark posted a loss. Performance was aided by strong stock selection in the health care sector. The fund also outperformed the benchmark for the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year and life-of-fund periods ended March 31, 2022.How did you position the portfolio in this environment?
Recently, we reduced the fund's exposure to pure value stocks that had a tilt toward lower valuations over other qualities, such as earnings. We have increased investments in companies with stronger earnings outlooks. Given the macroeconomic and geopolitical backdrop, we believe taking some defensive steps and moving the fund to a more neutral posture is prudent.Do you see further outperformance potential for small-cap value stocks?
Investors started to pay attention to small-cap value last year, as the promise of strong growth began to trickle down to the more economically sensitive businesses in this investment universe. In 2021, small-cap value stocks outperformed their large-cap value and large- and small-cap growth peers. However, for more than a decade through 2020, small-cap stocks, especially small-cap value stocks, underperformed their larger and growth-oriented peers.Today, we believe conditions are good for small-cap value to experience a prolonged period of outperformance. Despite near-term global headwinds, small caps should benefit as the economy rebounds from the depths of the pandemic and growth broadens beyond select work-from-home technology beneficiaries. A healthy economy combined with higher inflation could bring double-digit nominal growth rates to a wider swath of the investing universe. This should make reasonable growth less scarce and attract investors to the long-neglected small-cap value space.
Inflation has become a key concern for investors. How might it affect small-cap value stocks?
We are not surprised by the recent surge in inflation. And we believe a reversal of the multi-decade disinflationary trend is underway, which could be positive for value stocks. The Russell 2000 Value Index has greater exposure to sectors likely to benefit from sustained inflation. These include financials, energy, and basic materials stocks. Just as important, substantially less of this small-cap value index is allocated to sectors that are retreating — notably those that were boosted by the pandemic, such as health care and technology.What is your outlook for the fund in the months ahead?
Regarding the fund's investment strategy, we believe the portfolio's U.S.-centric focus is a plus. In our view, the U.S. economy is in a better position than economies abroad to weather any pullback in growth. Small-cap stocks also tend to have less exposure to international markets than large-cap stocks. And, as we've seen recently, value stocks, with their high concentration of banks, energy, and basic materials stocks, tend to outperform growth stocks in an inflationary environment.For informational purposes only. Not an investment recommendation.
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Diversification does not guarantee a profit or ensure against loss. It is possible to lose money in a diversified portfolio.
Consider these risks before investing: International investing involves certain risks, such as currency fluctuations, economic instability, and political developments. Investments in small and/or midsize companies increase the risk of greater price fluctuations. Bond investments are subject to interest-rate risk, which means the prices of the fund’s bond investments are likely to fall if interest rates rise. Bond investments also are subject to credit risk, which is the risk that the issuer of the bond may default on payment of interest or principal. Interest-rate risk is generally greater for longer-term bonds, and credit risk is generally greater for below-investment-grade bonds, which may be considered speculative. Unlike bonds, funds that invest in bonds have ongoing fees and expenses. Lower-rated bonds may offer higher yields in return for more risk. Funds that invest in government securities are not guaranteed. Mortgage-backed securities are subject to prepayment risk. Commodities involve the risks of changes in market, political, regulatory, and natural conditions. You can lose money by investing in a mutual fund.
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