📉 Small-Cap Value

🧭 Background & Context The current weakness of small-cap value stocks is a classic phase of underperformance in a market environment dominated by large-cap growth. Historically, such phases are often followed by above-average recoveries as valuation gaps and interest rate expectations come back into focus. The higher interest rate sensitivity of smaller companies weighs on them in the short term, but it is precisely this discrepancy that creates attractive entry opportunities in the long term. A calm assessment shows that structural strengths, such as lower analyst coverage and higher inefficiencies in this segment, persist. Patient investors can benefit from medium-term mean reversion here, provided the economy does not slide into a deep recession. 📊 Market Environment & Drivers The main drivers currently are robust US consumer demand, which persists despite high interest rates, and the ongoing wave of AI investment, which particularly supports th …