Mid Cap

In the mid cap strategy, the first step in our process is our sector factors, a set of qualitative judgments that set us apart by focusing our attention on more productive industries while biasing us against the more accident-prone or difficult-to-manage companies. There are specific factors for each of the five major sectors: in consumer we avoid fashion risk and look for brand loyalty, with a preference for staples; in financials we avoid spread businesses and focus on niche opportunities; in health care we seek to minimize our exposure to government reimbursement risk and invest in technologies that improve outcomes; in industrials we look for innovators and/or problem solvers and avoid capital-intensive business; and in technology we avoid rapid product obsolescence, which leads us to the software industry and away from hardware. Companies that clear the sector factors then go through a fundamental analysis of company attributes. If a security passes this evaluation, the final phase of the process is the valuation analysis. Only once a security has gone through these phases will the idea be formally presented for discussion around potential inclusion in the portfolio. If the team decides the security is going to be added to the portfolio, they will also discuss an entry strategy and the position size.

universe | S&P MidCap 400, russell midcap & champlain small cap

Mid Cap Equity Process

1. Sector Factors

Consumer	Brand Loyalty, Low Fashion Risk
Financials	Niche Focus, Avoid Spread Business
Health Care	Minimize Exposure to Government Payors
Industrials	Problem Solvers, Innovators
Technology	Low Obsolescence Risk

2. Company Attributes

High Returns
Low Debt
Quality Earnings
Sincere and Capable Management
Superior Relative Growth
Stable Business Models

3. Valuation Analysis

Discounted Cash Flow
Historical M&A Activity and Comps
Strategic Value

Portfolio Construction

Number of Names	50–75
Maximum Position Size	5%
Sector Weightings	25% maximum in any one sector
Market Capitalization (at initiation of purchase)	Constituent of either Russell MidCap or S&P 400 Index or within range of Russell index as of its most recent reconstitution

Ultimately, we see three opportunities to
realize capital appreciation over time.

1.	The stock price rising to a premium to our estimate of Fair Value.
2.	The business growing to scale and increasing our estimate of Fair Value at a faster rate than market appreciation.
3.	The company being acquired.

Performance | % As of 09.30.24

Mid Cap Equity Performance

	Gross Return	Net Return	Russell MidCap	S&P MidCap 400
Quarter-to-Date	3.69	3.47	9.21	6.94
Year-to-Date	5.46	4.79	14.63	13.54
1-Year	18.28	17.27	29.33	26.79
3-Years – Annualized	-0.90	-1.74	5.75	7.46
5-Years – Annualized	9.89	8.97	11.28	11.76
7-Years – Annualized	11.45	10.51	10.47	9.95
10-Years – Annualized	12.08	11.13	10.18	10.31
Inception-to-Date Annualized (03.26.04)	11.99	11.04	10.13	10.10
Inception-to-Date Cumulative (03.26.04)	922.23	758.69	625.60	621.28

Source: Champlain Investment Partners. Disclosure: Past performance is not indicative of future results. Gross returns are presented before management and custodial fees but after all trading expenses. Net returns are calculated by deducting a model management fee of 0.85% per annum, which is the highest tier of the standard fee schedule for the Mid Cap Composite. The full standard fee schedule for the composite is 0.85% on the first $50 million, 0.75% on the next $50 million, and 0.65% over $100 million. Actual investment advisory fees incurred by clients may vary, including for those clients who may opt to negotiate a performance fee, which may lead to higher or lower performance than stated above. Performance presented prior to September 17, 2004 occurred while the person primarily responsible for achieving performance results was affiliated with a prior firm. This information is presented as supplemental to the “Mid Cap Disclosure” linked below.

MID Cap Disclosure