Strategic Focus

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 & champlain small cap

Strategic Focus 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 15–30
Maximum Position Size 15%
Sector Weightings 40%
maximum in any one sector
Market Capitalization
(at initiation of purchase)
The strategy may invest in securities across market capitalizations

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 03.31.22

Strategic Focus Equity Performance

Net Return Gross Return Russell MidCap
Quarter to Date -12.16 -11.98 -5.68
Year to Date -12.16 -11.98 -5.68
1 Year 5.10 6.00 6.92
3 Years – Annualized 14.73 15.71 14.88
Inception to Date
Annualized (03.25.04)
20.30 21.32 19.16
Inception to Date
Cumulative (03.25.04)
     82.30 87.40 76.75