Market Overview - The Russell 2000 Index increased by 12.4% in Q3 2025, achieving a new all-time high after nearly three years, driven by improved earnings revisions, optimism around Federal Reserve rate cuts, and a strong appetite for speculative growth stocks [2] - Retail investors played a significant role in this rally, focusing on a narrow set of stocks, which led to both breadth and concentration in returns [2] - Despite the gains, volatility remained low, and valuations were stretched, creating a sense of complacency amid ongoing policy and macroeconomic risks [3] Portfolio Performance - The ClearBridge Small Cap Strategy had positive absolute performance but slightly underperformed the benchmark [4] - The materials sector was a key contributor, with MP Materials benefiting from new supply agreements with the U.S. Department of Defense and government support for rare earth production [5] - Information technology also performed well, with TeraWulf gaining from a rebound in cryptocurrency prices and a significant investment from Google [6] Sector Performance - Communication services was the leading detractor, with companies like Criteo and Gambling.com facing sector-specific challenges despite positive earnings [7] - Consumer discretionary also showed weakness, particularly with Murphy USA reporting lower-than-expected earnings due to various operational challenges [8] Portfolio Positioning - New positions were initiated in Quaker Houghton and Avidity Biosciences, with the former expected to improve margins and returns, and the latter having a promising pipeline for RNA-based therapeutics [9][10] - The position in Vivid Seats was exited due to increasing competitive pressures in the secondary ticketing market [11] Outlook - The environment remains challenging for active small cap investors, with a focus on speculative stocks making it difficult for fundamentally driven strategies to perform [13] - However, there are signs of improvement in earnings revisions and a potential shift back towards companies with sustainable business models [14] - The strategy emphasizes high-quality businesses and strong balance sheets, with a belief that patience and discipline will ultimately yield value [15] Portfolio Highlights - The ClearBridge Small Cap Strategy underperformed the Russell 2000 Index, with gains in 10 of 11 sectors, while stock selection in communication services and consumer discretionary weighed on performance [16][17] - Key contributors included MP Materials and TeraWulf, while Murphy USA and Gambling.com were among the largest detractors [18] - New positions were also established in various sectors, including healthcare and consumer staples, while exiting positions in several companies across different sectors [19]