What qualifies as cheap in the stock market will always depend on an investor’s yardstick. Even though the stock price is a combination of all possible factors, it still remains a volatile indicator, prompting investors to use a relatively stable metric when comparing thousands of companies. Jed Fogdall, portfolio manager

Smaller companies do not always enjoy access to capital markets, suffering at times from lack of interest from investors, and all too often their disapproval. Even small caps with strong cash flows, solid balance sheets, and serious growth potential may be out of favor if investors are not satisfied with

Smaller companies with innovative profiles and leading positions in niche markets have the potential to maximize their profitable growth and eventually become successful large companies. Amy Zhang, portfolio manager of the Alger Small Cap Focus Fund, uses revenue as a threshold to identify companies displaying such promising characteristics early in

Managing the growth trajectory of smaller companies can be challenging, and investors are not always patient with a company’s management and/or development plans. Steven Raineri, portfolio manager of the Franklin Small Cap Value Fund, likes to methodically build a portfolio of small-cap companies whose track record and capacity of compounding

As small-cap companies go through rapid changes, they do not always have easy access to capital markets. Still, companies with profitable business models and disciplined management can sustain their growth rate with the help of proper capital allocation. Brett Reiner, Associate Portfolio Manager of the Neuberger Berman Genesis Fund, and

High-quality small-cap companies with a track record of steady earnings growth may not appear cheap on standard measurements. But when viewed from the perspective of earnings capacity and durability, many of these consistent earners offer compelling investment opportunities. Stephen Grant, portfolio manager of the Value Line Small Cap Opportunities Fund,

Successful investing in small-cap companies requires both quantitative and qualitative analysis. The portfolio team of the PNC Multi-Factor Small Cap Growth Fund has developed a broad quantitative methodology that relies on three-level evaluation of business momentum, investor interest, and reasonable price compared to peers. With this systematic approach, the fund

Seeking comfort in the company of others, investors are inherently prone to follow peers when it comes to buying and selling. Simply put, investors’ behavior is often at odds with their well-being. Robert Weller and Robert Bridges explain how the Sterling Capital Behavioral Small Cap Value Equity Fund managers follows

In the last decade as a result of abundant supplies, low and stable pricing and environmental benefits, natural gas has steadily replaced coal as the preferred fuel for generating electricity. Skip Aylesworth and Ryan Kelley explain how the Hennessy Gas Utility Fund invests in gas distribution companies that are benefiting

Long-term investors are unlikely to forget how much one makes is important, but what one keeps matters more. Barry R. James, portfolio manager of the James Balanced: Golden Rainbow Fund, utilizes proprietary research while allocating capital between stocks and bonds in search of securities with the potential to generate returns