Ge Long Hui·2025-07-13 10:14Core Insights - The recent outperformance of small-cap stocks is attributed to a significant influx of retail investor capital compared to institutional investors, indicating a rapid recovery in market risk appetite since September 2024, despite a lag in fundamental improvements [1][11] - The overall return of large-cap styles will depend on the emergence of a fundamental turning point and the return of institutional capital, with potential catalysts being the confirmation of an upward trend in the AI industry cycle or unexpected macro policy enhancements [1][11] Group 1: Misconceptions about Small-Cap Outperformance - Misconception 1: Macro liquidity easing is beneficial for small-cap stocks. Historical data shows that small-cap performance is not solely determined by macro liquidity conditions, as both small and large-cap stocks have outperformed in various liquidity environments [2] - Misconception 2: The influx of quantitative private equity funds is driving small-cap outperformance. The actual scale of private equity fund inflows has not been as significant as perceived, and quantitative funds are more likely to act as "discoverers" of excess returns rather than creators [4] - Misconception 3: Trading congestion is an effective timing indicator for small-cap stocks. Historical trends indicate that high trading activity does not necessarily lead to a downturn in small-cap stocks, as they can continue to outperform even during periods of high trading volume [6] Group 2: Drivers of Small-Cap Performance - The current small-cap outperformance may be primarily driven by changes in the micro-funding structure, particularly the irrational trading behavior of retail investors entering the market [8] - In both Hong Kong and A-share markets, the correlation between retail investor inflows and small-cap index performance suggests that retail participation is a significant factor in the recent small-cap outperformance [9] - The switch between small and large-cap styles may require a turning point in economic trends, with historical patterns indicating that institutional capital tends to lead market shifts when macro policies or industry trends experience breakthroughs [11]