Core Viewpoint - Small-cap index enhancement strategy products have shown significant excess returns in 2023, with nearly 80% of products achieving excess returns, particularly in small-cap categories [1][2]. Performance Summary - As of May 16, 2023, the highest unit net value growth rate for off-market index enhancement funds exceeded 30%, with small-cap index enhancement products outperforming benchmarks by over 8% [2]. - On the on-market side, enhancement strategy ETFs also performed well, with the highest net value growth rate exceeding 20%, and specific ETFs like the招商中证2000 enhancement strategy ETF achieving an excess return of 11.32% [2]. Market Environment - The active performance of small-cap stocks this year, particularly in indices like 中证2000 and 中证1000, has provided more opportunities for excess returns due to their higher growth potential and volatility [3]. - Increased market attention on small-cap stocks has led to a continuous inflow of funds into related index components, driving stock price increases and creating a favorable investment environment for enhancement strategy products [3]. Quantitative Models - This year, factors such as reversal, dividend, and growth have performed well, contributing to excess returns for traditional multi-factor combinations [3]. - Many institutions have adopted machine learning models to capture high-frequency, non-linear stock volatility characteristics, enhancing the stability of returns [3]. Strategy Outlook - For the second half of the year, it is crucial to closely follow index styles and minimize significant deviations, optimizing quantitative models to improve sensitivity to market changes [5][6]. - Risk management remains essential, with a focus on monitoring macroeconomic data, policy changes, and industry dynamics to reduce portfolio risk exposure [6]. - The emphasis will be on enhancing the predictive capability of Alpha models while maintaining a stable style constraint in index enhancement product management [6].