Seeking Australian
small cap exposure?

Australian small caps at an inflection point

We believe that 2025 has the potential to be the year of the Australian small cap given the cyclical and structural tailwinds in place.

From a cyclical perspective, Australian small caps are well supported by the positive global stimulatory backdrop and moderating domestic inflation outlook which is expected to result in lower interest rates. Historically, interest rate reductions have resulted in positive performance at the smaller end of the domestic equity market and is one of key catalysts we are looking for to see renewed investor interest this year.  Given a more favourable domestic macroeconomic backdrop, we expect a better earnings outlook at the smaller end of the market (relative to large caps) over the next couple of years, resulting in a broadening out of stock performance across Australian small cap companies.

From a structural perspective, Australian small caps offer investors early-stage exposure to exciting growth opportunities in emerging industries as well as offering exposure to one of the few remaining inefficiently priced segments of the market to exploit. In addition, the domestic small caps landscape has evolved significantly over the past 15 years, with the index, S&P/ASX Small Ordinaries Index, now comprising of higher quality companies with strong balance sheets and improved earnings characteristics. These factors help support the case for a persistent Australian small cap active management premium.

In summary, we see emerging positive signs for Australian small caps given the number of tailwinds as risk appetite returns to the space after a challenging few years although investors need to be selective with selecting the right Australian small caps manager to exploit these opportunities.

About the Maple-Brown Abbott Australian Small Companies Fund

The Australian small cap manager with large institutional backing is now available to advisers.

The Maple-Brown Abbott Australian Small Companies Fund (the Fund) is managed by our experienced Australian small companies team, led by Co-Portfolio Managers Phillip Hudak and Matt Griffin. The Fund continues to generate what we consider to be strong returns since inception (24 June 2022), returning 20.5%*, outperforming the benchmark S&P/ASX Small Ordinaries Total Return Index by 10.3%* on an annualised basis. This follows on from the strategy’s strong performance over nine years at AMP Capital*, where the same ‘earnings drive share prices’ philosophy and investment process was applied.

* As at 31 January 2025.

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Our investment philosophy

Rather than defining ourselves by a particular investment style, our investment philosophy is based on our belief that earnings drive share prices. Our three core beliefs underpinning the philosophy are:

  1. share price performance is driven by medium-term earnings delivery with consideration given to valuation and where the company is in the earnings cycle;
  2. sustainable business models, which include a company’s persistence of earnings over longer time periods, are an important driver of long-term performance and superior risk-reward characteristics; and
  3. companies which disappoint on short-term earnings expectations typically underperform.

By taking time to understand where a company is in the earnings cycle, we can determine the price paid for the future earnings stream. Given the breadth of the Australian small cap market, we believe we can find undervalued companies where we have conviction in medium-term earnings delivery at any point of the market cycle.

All weather portfolio

Capture ratios measure a portfolio’s return versus its performance benchmark during upward and downward market trends. In up markets, an upside capture ratio above 100% indicates a portfolio has outperformed its performance benchmark during periods of positive market returns.

A downside capture ratio below 100% indicates a portfolio has outperformed during periods of negative market returns. The Fund’s upside capture ratio of 97% shows Fund performance has typically kept pace with benchmark performance during periods of up markets. The Fund’s downside capture ratio of 48% shows the Fund has historically outperformed the benchmark by a significant margin during down markets.

These measures are indicators of a diverse, all-weather portfolio that is achieving its aim of delivering consistent results across market conditions and reflects the importance we place on risk management by aiming to minimise downside risk while participating in the upside.

Capture ratios – upside and downside

Source: MBA, data since inception of the MBA Australian Small Companies Fund (24 June 2022) to 31 March 2025. Benchmark is the S&P/ASX Small Ordinaries (Total Return) Index. Performance is based on the movement in net asset value per unit plus distributions and is before tax and after all fees and charges. Imputation and foreign income tax offsets are not included in the performance figures. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
Average monthly performance in rising markets

Source: MBA, data since inception of the MBA Australian Small Companies Fund (24 June 2022) to 31 March 2025. Benchmark is the S&P/ASX Small Ordinaries (Total Return) Index. Performance is based on the movement in net asset value per unit plus distributions and is before tax and after all fees and charges. Imputation and foreign income tax offsets are not included in the performance figures. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
Average monthly performance in falling markets
Average monthly performance (%) - declining markets
Source: MBA, data since inception of the MBA Australian Small Companies Fund (24 June 2022) to 31 March 2025. Benchmark is the S&P/ASX Small Ordinaries (Total Return) Index. Performance is based on the movement in net asset value per unit plus distributions and is before tax and after all fees and charges. Imputation and foreign income tax offsets are not included in the performance figures. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Fund rating and platform availability

Platform availability
  • AMP North
  • BT Panorama
  • CFS Edge
  • CFS Wrap
  • HUB24
  • Netwealth

Rating/recommendation

Lonsec
The Lonsec rating issued 10/2024 is published by Lonsec Research Pty Ltd ABN 11 151 658 561 AFSL 421 445 (Lonsec). Ratings are general advice only, and have been prepared without taking account of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider your personal circumstances, read the product disclosure statement and seek independent financial advice before investing. The rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold any product. Past performance information is not indicative of future performance. Ratings are subject to change without notice and Lonsec assumes no obligation to update. Lonsec uses objective criteria and receives a fee from the Fund Manager. Visit lonsec.com.au for ratings information and to access the full report. ©2024 Lonsec. All rights reserved.
Morningstar Medalist Rating(TM)
Assigned as of 08/01/25
Analyst Driven %  100
Data Coverage % 100
Fund Maple-Brown Abbott Australian Small Companies received a Morningstar Medalist Rating(TM) of ‘Silver’ on 08/01/25.
©2025 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither Morningstar, its affiliates, nor the content providers guarantee the data or content contained herein to be accurate, complete or timely nor will they have any liability for its use or distribution. This report or data has been prepared for clients of Morningstar Australasia Pty Ltd (ABN: 95 090 665 544, AFSL: 240892) and/or New Zealand wholesale clients of Morningstar Research Ltd, subsidiaries of Morningstar, Inc. Any general advice has been provided without reference to your financial objectives, situation or needs. For more information refer to our Financial Services Guide at morningstar.com.au/s/fsg.pdf. You should consider the advice in light of these matters and if applicable, the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before making any decision to invest. Morningstar’s publications, ratings and products should be viewed as an additional investment resource, not as your sole source of information. Morningstar’s full research reports are the source of any Morningstar Ratings and are available from Morningstar or your adviser. Past performance does not necessarily indicate a financial product’s future performance. To obtain advice tailored to your situation, contact a financial adviser.
Zenith
The Zenith Investment Partners (ABN 27 103 132 672, AFS Licence 226872) (“Zenith”) rating (assigned MPL1241AU February 2024) referred to in this piece is limited to “General Advice” (s766B Corporations Act 2001) for Wholesale clients only. This advice has been prepared without taking into account the objectives, financial situation or needs of any individual, including target markets of financial products, where applicable, and is subject to change at any time without prior notice. It is not a specific recommendation to purchase, sell or hold the relevant product(s). Investors should seek independent financial advice before making an investment decision and should consider the appropriateness of this advice in light of their own objectives, financial situation and needs. Investors should obtain a copy of, and consider the PDS or offer document before making any decision and refer to the full Zenith Product Assessment available on the Zenith website. Past performance is not an indication of future performance. Zenith usually charges the product issuer, fund manager or related party to conduct Product Assessments. Full details regarding Zenith’s methodology, ratings definitions and regulatory compliance are available on our Product Assessments and at Fund Research Regulatory Guidelines.
* The past performance and experience of the portfolio managers was achieved managing a different fund with substantially the same investment strategy as the Fund. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
This information was prepared and issued by Maple-Brown Abbott Ltd ABN 73 001 208 564, Australian Financial Service Licence No. 237296 (“MBA”). This information does not constitute investment advice or an investment recommendation of any kind and should not be relied upon as such. This information is general information only and it does not have regard to any person’s investment objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making any investment decision, you should seek independent investment, legal, tax, accounting or other professional advice as appropriate, and obtain the relevant Product.

Fund performance^

as at 31/03/2025

^Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. No warranty can be given for future performance. Returns are volatile and may fluctuate quickly and significantly. Total return is based on the movement in net asset value per unit plus distributions and is before tax and after all fees and charges. Imputation and foreign income tax offsets are not included in the performance figures.
Source: Maple-Brown Abbott and S&P
*Inception date is 24 June 2022

A team of experienced and dedicated
investment professionals.


Phillip Hudak | Co-Portfolio Manager, Australian Small Companies
Co-Portfolio Manager, Australian Small Companies

Phillip Hudak

BBus, CFA
Phillip Hudak joined Maple-Brown Abbott in April 2022 as Co-Portfolio Manager for Australian Small Companies, bringing over 20 years’ investment experience, with 15 years dedicated to Australian small cap equity portfolio management and fundamental stock research. In his current role, Phillip is responsible for leading the Australian small companies equity business, focusing on medium-term earnings delivery combined with a differentiated market-leading sustainability framework which is designed to outperform in most market environments.

Before joining Maple-Brown Abbott, Phillip worked as Co-Portfolio Manager on the AMP Capital Australian Emerging Companies strategy for nine years. Prior to that, he was a small companies analyst at ING Investment Management, analyst at MIR Investment Management and an investment consultant with Russell Investment Group.

Phillip


Co-Portfolio Manager, Australian Small Companies
Co-Portfolio Manager, Australian Small Companies

Matt Griffin

BCom
Matt Griffin joined Maple-Brown Abbott in April 2022 as Co-Portfolio Manager for Australian Small Companies, bringing 14 years’ investment experience in Australian small cap equity portfolio management and fundamental stock research. In his current role, he is responsible for leading the Australian small companies equity business, focusing on medium-term earnings delivery combined with a differentiated market-leading sustainability framework which is designed to outperform in most market environments.

Before joining Maple-Brown Abbott, Matt worked as Co-Portfolio Manager on the AMP Capital Australian Emerging Companies strategy for four years. Prior to that, he was Investment Director at IFM Investors, where he was integral to the launch of the IFM Australia small caps and micro caps strategy, and a small companies analyst at Macquarie Asset Management.

Matt


Investment Analyst, Australian Small Companies
Investment Analyst, Australian Small Companies

William Hanna

BCom, LLB
William Hanna joined Maple-Brown Abbott in July 2022 as Investment Analyst, Australian Small Companies. A key focus of William’s role is to conduct detailed stock research and analysis of Australian small cap companies, as well as support the portfolio managers in the Australian Small Companies team.

Before joining Maple-Brown Abbott, William worked as Investment Analyst at JANA, a leading investment consultant, focused on Australian Equities and REITs research as well as providing investment strategy advice to institutional funds.

William


Ayesha Azeem, ESG Investment Analyst
ESG Investment Analyst

Ayesha Azeem

BEc
Ayesha joined Maple-Brown Abbott in October 2022 as an ESG Investment Analyst. In her current role, she is responsible for conducting environmental, social and governance (ESG) stock research and analysis for Australian small cap companies as well as supporting broader ESG efforts. Before joining Maple-Brown Abbott, Ayesha worked as an assistant investment analyst in the global equities team at Pendal Group, covering the consumer staples and chemicals sectors across North America, Europe and Japan.

 

 

 

 

Ayesha

Contact us

Vijay Srinivasan
Head of Intermediary Distribution 

vsrinivasan@maple-brownabbott.com
+61 2 8226 6238
+61 403 046 832

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