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It was a great quarter for smid-cap shares. Our RAM Smid composite gained 10.70% in 3Q25, outperforming the Russell 2500 Worth Whole Return index which rose 8.17%. On a year-to-date foundation, the RAM Smid composite gained 9.29% vs. 9.29% for the Russell 2500 Worth Whole Return index.
Market cap dimension was seemingly an element for outperformance in 3Q25, because the smaller market cap Russell indices progressively outperformed their bigger friends, with the Russell 2000 Worth small-cap index gaining 12.6% vs. the 5.29% achieve within the Russell 1000 Worth large-cap index. Our Smid composite has a considerable quantity of small-cap publicity, with a median market cap of $3.15 billion in comparison with $8.60 billion for the Russell 2500 Worth, and $3.02 billion for the smaller cap Russell 2000 Worth index.
We see the outperformance of the smaller cap indices in 3Q25 as proof of traders starting to rotate their portfolios away from the large-cap indices. We stay optimistic in regards to the Smid worth sector heading into 4Q25.1,2,3
Supply: Rewey Asset Administration, Index returns sourced from Bloomberg 9/30/2025.
*Notice that there are materials limitations inherent in any comparability between RAM Smid technique and the R2500 Worth Whole Return Index. The R2500 Worth Whole Return Index is unmanaged, and you can’t make investments instantly in an index. The RAM portfolio is actively managed and holds concentrated investments within the fairness securities of small-mid capitalized corporations. Please see essential disclosures on the finish of this letter.
Unfavorable Labor Revisions Shift the Outlook
On September 9th, the Bureau of Labor Statistics massively revised down its earlier estimate of job creation between April 2024 and March 2025 by 911,000 jobs! This adjustment signifies that common month-to-month jobs positive aspects had been nearer to an anemic 71,000, vs. earlier estimates of 147,000 per thirty days, a higher than 48% unfavourable revision. Extremely, this revision follows the equally large -818,000 revision for 2024.4
We see two key causes traders ought to pay shut consideration to those revisions. First, there may be the essential situation of knowledge high quality. In at the moment’s markets, the place an unlimited quantity of capital is managed by means of short-term buying and selling methods that react immediately to new information, dangerous info can translate into poor funding outcomes. In different phrases, rubbish in, rubbish out. Now we have lengthy didn’t see the funding rationale for short-term methods which by design flip time into an adversary moderately than an ally. Now, with unreliable information feeding these methods, their existence appears tough to justify.
Second, and extra related for our long-term funding strategy, these substantial revisions recommend the labor market has been, and sure nonetheless is, a lot weaker than extensively believed. Over the past two years, in our conversations with corporations in a number of capital-equipment pushed sectors, together with know-how, power, industrials and healthcare, now we have continuously heard descriptions of recession-like situations in gross sales. These large unfavourable labor revisions lend credence to the thesis that a good portion of the U.S. capital items sector has been in a recessionary atmosphere, seemingly stemming from the large enhance in Fed funds charges from March 2022 to July 2023, the place charges surged 525 foundation factors.
We additionally imagine that the influence of the “Liberation Day” tariff bulletins on April 2nd additional suppressed financial exercise as corporations paused important investments till they may higher assess the implications of the tariffs on their operations. We imagine proof of this weak financial atmosphere was not clearly seen in first half GDP outcomes of -0.5% for 1Q25 and three.8% for 2Q25, as a result of influence of the large imports of products and gold into the U.S. in 1Q25, and the reversal of a few of this influence in 2Q25 (as we mentioned in our 1Q25 letter).
Might Weaker Labor Drive the Fed to Lower Extra Aggressively?
The Federal Reserve Reform Act of 1977 requires the Fed to pursue a twin mandate of most employment and steady costs. On September 17th, the Fed reduce its Fed funds price despite the fact that its personal SEP (which isn’t a proper projection) reveals that the committee expects inflation to be at 3.0% in 2025 and a couple of.6% in 2026, each above its goal of two%. Moreover, GDP for 2025 and 2026 was revised greater within the SEP as effectively, to 1.6% and 1.8%, respectively. From the mandate of steady costs, there doesn’t appear to be a compelling case to assist the present Fed easing stance.5
Thus, we imagine this reduce reveals the rising influence of weak labor on the Fed’s choice. In the course of the press convention, Chairman Powell acknowledged that “draw back dangers to employment have risen” and that “the current tempo of job creation seems to be working beneath the breakeven price wanted to carry the unemployment price fixed.” We see this language as clear proof that the Fed reduce charges because of worries over weaker labor vs. greater inflation.6
The Looming Affect of AI on Labor…and the Fed?
Essentially the most important quote we heard from a administration group this quarter was within the Info Providers Group (III) 2Q25 convention name the place CEO Connors acknowledged: “purchasers are using the AI wave and investing aggressively in modernizing their know-how operations and infrastructure to assist it… to fund these investments, purchasers stay centered on value optimization.”
Even Walmart CEO, Doug McMillon was quoted within the Wall Road Journal on Sept 29th: “Possibly there is a job on this planet that AI will not change, however I have not considered it.”
Corporations are pushing ahead with AI implementation at an accelerating tempo. To fund this funding, many corporations should not growing spending total however slicing prices as an offset. We expect corporations are prone to aggressively reduce labor to fund AI investments. We expect the effectivity and productiveness implications are nascent, and that over a brief time period the fee and effectivity positive aspects from AI will dwarf the productiveness increase of the early 2000’s that was pushed by the adoption of the web. And, we are actually, sadly, satisfied of the view that labor reductions will likely be the place a major, if not majority, of those productiveness positive aspects come from.
Thus, we expect the Fed will proceed to be beneath strain to chop Fed fund charges as a part of its twin mandate to attempt to maximize employment, no matter whether or not inflation hits its 2% long-term purpose or not, because of mounting AI pushed job cuts.
Inexperienced Shoots, Price Cuts and Rotation to Spur Small Caps?
The excellent news, in our view, is that the U.S. economic system has began to strengthen from the late 2024 and 1H25 capital items sector weak point. Latest conversations with aerospace, semiconductor tools, industrial and even consulting corporations level to stronger finish market demand in late 2Q25, with backlogs clearing and shipments rising to satisfy demand. This green-shoots commentary has previously been a robust signal for small and smid-cap shares, as, in our view, essentially the most compelling cyclical funding alternatives occur because the financial cycle first inflects positively. Tailwinds supporting this exercise seemingly embody readability on the tariff scenario and the influence of bonus depreciation therapy of CAPX within the passage of Trump’s Huge Lovely Invoice.
This rising financial power is prone to be supported by the Fed price reduce of 25 bps on September 17th. If the consensus is correct, the Fed is prone to reduce 25-50 further bps this fall. A cyclical upturn and a Fed price reduce cycle are, in our view, two highly effective components that would proceed to assist small and smid cap shares.
The Implications of Liquidity on Rotation
If traders start rotating towards small and smid-cap shares, the shift may flip right into a stampede. A modest reallocation, simply 1% of S&P 500 market worth to the Russell 2500 Worth Index would equate to purchasing 11% of that index. 1% of the S&P 500 equates to a whopping 32% of the Russell 2000 Worth Index. The S&P 500 has outperformed the Russell 2500 Worth index by over 35% (61.74% vs 26.60%) and the Russell 2000 worth by nearly 42% (61.74% vs 19.75%) since March 16, 2022, the day the Fed first raised charges from the 0% stage. In our view, it’s extremely conceivable that traders look to reallocate way more than 1% S&P 500 allocation as Fed funds charges start to say no.7
Portfolio Highlights
We added two new positions in 3Q25 and whereas we diminished some positions, we didn’t promote any positions to zero. The mixed weight of our high 10 holdings was steady at 46.9% vs. 47% at 2Q25. At quarter finish, money was 3.5% of the portfolio. Whereas we proceed to seek for, and discover, shares that match our funding philosophy, we additionally very very similar to the composition of our present portfolio and are believers in the advantages of long-term compounding with modest portfolio turnover.
Eight of our composite holdings had web money on the stability sheet and eight others had web debt to EBITDA lower than or equal to 1.5x. Fourteen holdings had been buying and selling at lower than 1.5x e book worth.8
Varex Imaging (VREX)
Varex Imaging was our high 3Q25 performer, posting a return of 43.02%. Its share worth recovered from its “Liberation Day” dump because the traders acknowledged the tariff influence on VREX shouldn’t be as dangerous as feared. VREX’s China enterprise predominantly serves solely China, and the market there for VREX has improved. VREX additionally has important flexibility to maneuver manufacturing globally to offset the worst impacts of tariffs. We proceed to assume VREX is undervalued and uncared for, as analysts haven’t acknowledged the healthcare CT market restoration and the rising power of its safety screening choices.9
Kyndryl (KD)
Kyndryl was our weakest performer in 3Q25, down 28.43%, as its FY1Q26 report confirmed that its revenues got here in a bit beneath road expectations. We expect the decline is an overreaction, as Kyndryl reiterated that it nonetheless expects to submit optimistic income development for Fiscal 2026, and to ship sustained development over a minimum of the subsequent a number of years. We preserve our optimism on KD and see alternative within the shares at present ranges.10
Extremely Clear Holdings (UCTT)
We continued to construct our place in Extremely Clear Holdings, including on worth weak point early within the quarter. UCTT is a $1.2 billion market cap provider for the semiconductor capital tools business, specializing in gasoline supply techniques. It additionally supplies cleansing companies for put in tools. Lam Analysis is UCTT’s largest buyer at 33% of revenues, Utilized Supplies is quantity two at 23% whereas service makes up 12% of revenues. UCTT shares ended the quarter at $27.29, effectively beneath their 52-week excessive of $41.84, as a result of continued weak semi capital tools (capx) spending atmosphere in 1H25, which was seemingly impacted by the worldwide funding pause brought on by the ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs. We see a compelling funding outlook for UCTT as we expect the semi-capx cycle has begun to inflect positively, whereas road income and earnings estimates have but to low cost this anticipated enchancment.
We imagine UCTT will have the ability to retain and probably enhance its sturdy monetary profile over the stability of 2025 and into 2026 even because it continues to spend money on new merchandise and capability. On September 15th, UCTT revamped its time period mortgage facility with Barclays to cut back the variable rate of interest unfold over SOFR by 50 foundation factors. This discount, mixed with the 25 bps Fed funds reduce on Sept. 17th reduces UCTT’s borrowing prices by 75 bps for 4Q25 ahead, earlier than any further potential Fed easing. As of 2Q25, UCTT’s gross debt was $478.4 million, offset by $327.4 million in money, for a web debt/EBITDA ratio of roughly 1x.
We see three potential earnings development drivers for UCTT now, together with secular development of the logic and foundry area, a nascent cyclical restoration in semi-conductor capx spending and a robust self-help program of capability re-alignment that ought to drive margin development regardless of any potential income enchancment. We imagine theme of superior semiconductor capabilities is effectively understood by traders and UCTT performs into this theme by providing foundry purposes together with packaging and GAA (Gate-All-Round) to assist AI. We expect UCTT will proceed to develop on this space because it invests in new merchandise. Its 2Q25 announcement of latest a brand new enterprise win in its Czech facility for a brand new product is a optimistic catalyst. Additionally, Lam Analysis has indicated it’s more and more seeking to qualify suppliers for progressively extra technical specs.
We imagine the cyclical restoration potential of UCTT has not been acknowledged by traders. Since peaking in 2022 at $2.37 billion, UCTT’s revenues have fallen to an anticipated $2.05 billion in 2025 (down 15%), as logic and reminiscence demand has been smooth. UCTT’s gross margins have fallen over 300 foundation factors, from 19.2% to an estimated 16.1%, over the identical interval. This softness has seen shares of UCTT fall from $65.33 in 2021 to $27.29 on the finish of 3Q25. We imagine the strongest funding returns in cyclical investing are made when a downcycle first inflects positively, in hopes of beginning a cyclical upswing. On this sense, we notice in its most up-to-date slide-deck replace, UCTT states that “inventories are stabilizing” and {that a} “cyclic restoration throughout finish markets [is] persevering with.” On its 2Q25 name Lam Analysis additionally indicated that “we see a bit bit stronger” with WFE estimates now raised to $105 billion for 2025, up from $100 billion. Whereas we’re not anticipating an in a single day restoration, we do see the sturdy potential for a cyclical restoration to profit UCTT over the subsequent few years that ought to permit UCTT to reaccelerate its revenues and margins, and we see time as our funding ally whereas we await this acceleration.
We additionally just like the aggressive self-help actions that UCTT introduced on its 2Q25 earnings name, to cut back prices to assist the present income run price of roughly $500 million per quarter, vs. sustaining the capability for roughly $4 billion in annual revenues. We don’t assume that UCTT is indicating it is not going to develop past present income ranges, however it’s opportunistically re-allocating labor and facility priorities, an effort that’s overdue in our view. UCTT indicated it ought to see the primary margin advantages of this streamlining in 4Q25, with additional financial savings over the subsequent few years. This cost-containment effort will seemingly imply that UCTT recovers its prior gross margin incomes potential much more rapidly as income inflects positively. Additional, UCTT simply accomplished its company-wide SAP enterprise system implementation in early July. Now we have seen the transition to SAP as a robust margin accelerator in a number of corporations during the last decade. As an extra potential catalyst, on August 6th UCTT named very long time AMAT government James Xiao as its new CEO. Whereas Mr. Xiao has not commented on his plans for UCTT, we expect the addition of an business veteran is a optimistic step for UCTT.
Now we have set our AFV worth goal at $45.32, roughly 66% above 3Q25’s closing worth. Importantly, this estimate is about on what we see as an affordable mid-cycle restoration stage of revenues and earnings, at a stage nonetheless effectively beneath the 2022 peak. This AFV goal is simply over UCTT’s 52 week excessive and effectively beneath the $65.33 peak set in 2021.
We additionally assume UCTT is a very good instance of the neglect and undervaluation we see in small caps heading into 4Q25, and why the theme of rotation we wrote about above can probably show to be highly effective. UCTTs shares have lagged dramatically behind the extent of its large-cap clients, as Lam Analysis shares are up 80% for the yr and is at an all-time excessive, whereas Utilized Supplies shares have risen 20% yr to this point, and these two clients comprised roughly 56% of UCTT’s gross sales. If traders begin to broaden their seek for smaller cap corporations that may profit from the identical traits as bigger cap friends, we expect UCTT could possibly be a really perfect goal.11
Wanting Ahead
As we enter 3Q25, the market is dealing with a brand new set of uncertainties, together with the federal government shutdown, which we anticipate to be short-lived. However we additionally notice that one of many solely certainties now we have discovered within the markets over our 33 years of investing is that the market will at all times face uncertainties and surprising shocks. For this reason now we have constructed our funding philosophy with a long-term focus that begins with figuring out corporations with the monetary power to journey out any intervals of uncertainty. We then search to establish a transparent plan for worth creation over the subsequent 2–3 years. A sturdy funding case and a long-term view creates time as a robust ally for worth creation and supplies a roadmap for buying securities at probably engaging long-term valuation ranges.
Wanting previous the uncertainties, we see a number of potential catalysts for the small and smid cap sector into year-end, together with a continued reasonable GDP stage, the probability of a minimum of yet another 25 bps price reduce and a basic neglect of the sector that has left many corporations at engaging valuation ranges.
We recognize your belief and assist. As at all times, please be at liberty to contact us to debate our commentary or to share your ideas.
Chip
1. Previous efficiency isn’t any assure of future outcomes. The RAM SMID Worth Composite schedule of web funding efficiency of Rewey Funding Administration LLC (the “Schedule”) represents the exercise of separate buyer buying and selling accounts managed collectively (collectively the “Accounts”) for the annual and cumulative intervals from January 1, 2019 by means of Sep. 30, 2025. 2022-3Q25 efficiency unaudited. Please see full Marcum footnotes for RAM Smid composite 2019-2021 at Microsoft Phrase – {A44BB912-3141-4B59-AE8E-3D695C6B8BD4} (reweyassetmanagement.com). Efficiency graphic to not scale. The efficiency outcomes for the interval of 1/1/19-11/8/2021 are from accounts managed by Chip Rewey whereas affiliated with Advisory Providers Community.
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- The Russell 2500 Worth Whole Return Index, Russell 1000 Worth Whole Return Index, Russell 2000 Worth Whole Return Index are sourced from Bloomberg. Every of those indices are an unmanaged group of securities thought of to be consultant of the small and mid-cap inventory market, and the large-cap inventory market normally, respectively. Indexes are unmanaged and don’t incur administration charges, prices, or bills.
- The Russell 2500 Worth -Dynamic Index® measures the efficiency of the small to mid-cap value-dynamic section of the US fairness universe. It contains Russell 2500 Index corporations with comparatively decrease price-to-book ratios, decrease I/B/E/S forecast medium time period (2 yr) development and decrease gross sales per share historic development (5 years) and comparatively much less steady enterprise situations which might be extra delicate to financial cycles, credit score cycles, and market volatility primarily based on their stability variables.
- S&P 500 Index is a market capitalization-weighted index of 500 widespread shares chosen for market dimension, liquidity, and business group illustration to signify U.S. fairness efficiency.
- It isn’t potential to speculate instantly in an index. There are materials variations between the RAM SMID Worth Composite portfolio and the indexes used for comparability functions. The RAM portfolio is actively managed and holds concentrated investments within the fairness securities of small-mid capitalized corporations. An index is usually designed for instance the efficiency of a particular asset class (i.e. small cap) however isn’t actively managed and the index efficiency doesn’t replicate the influence of advisory charges and different funding prices.
- Firm stage member information for the Russell 2500 Worth index, the Russell 2000 Worth index and the S&P500 Index is sourced from Bloomberg and Rewey Asset Administration proprietary evaluation.
3, 8. All portfolio discussions are primarily based off our mannequin RAM Smid portfolio of individually managed accounts. Firm monetary estimates sourced from Rewey Asset Administration proprietary evaluation, and Bloomberg BEST firm estimates. Historic pricing and firm monetary information sourced from firm 10Q and 10K filings, and Bloomberg. Particular person portfolios might maintain slight deviations in place sizes, money ranges and positions held. Portfolio statistics mentioned are from September 30, 2025. These statistics will seemingly change over time. Debt/EBITDA ratio feedback exclude monetary corporations because of non-comparability.
4. 2024 and 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics labor revisions announcement and information accessible at U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
5. Federal Reserve Board assembly assertion and Federal Open Market Committee launch financial projections from the September 17, 2025 assembly can be found at The Fed – September 17, 2025: FOMC Projections supplies, accessible model
6. The textual content of Powells 9-23-25 speech is accessible right here. The complete textual content from Chair Powell’s speech | investingLive
9. All monetary ratios, statistics, and projections mentioned within the Varex Imaging (VREX) commentary are sourced from VREX 10K, Proxy, 10Q filings, firm press releases, firm public convention calls and webcasts, firm slide shows, RAM discussions with administration, Bloomberg, VREX firm webpage and Rewey Asset Administration proprietary monetary evaluation and Rewey Asset Administration business due diligence. Historic share worth info sourced from Bloomberg.
10. Kyndryl (KD) quarterly efficiency info sourced from Bloomberg. Different KD commentary sourced from firm earnings releases, 10Q, 10K filings, firm shows, RAM discussions with administration, Bloomberg and Rewey Asset Administration proprietary evaluation.
11. All monetary ratios, statistics, and projections mentioned within the Extremely Clear (UCTT) commentary are sourced from UCTT 10K, Proxy, 10Q filings, firm press releases, firm public convention calls and webcasts, firm slide shows, RAM discussions with administration, Bloomberg, UCTT firm webpage and Rewey Asset Administration proprietary monetary evaluation and Rewey Asset Administration business due diligence. Historic share worth info sourced from Bloomberg. Lam Analysis (LRCX) and Utilized Supplies (AMAT) commentary sourced from earnings calls and shows, and pricing is sourced by means of Bloomberg.
All info contained herein is derived from sources deemed to be dependable however can’t be assured. All financial and efficiency information is historic and never indicative of future outcomes. These views/opinions are topic to vary with out discover. Nobody can predict or mission efficiency, and forward-looking statements should not ensures. Previous efficiency isn’t indicative of future outcomes. Investing entails threat, together with the lack of principal.
This materials is for informational functions solely and isn’t a suggestion or recommendation. Investments and techniques talked about should not appropriate for all traders. This doesn’t represent a suggestion or a solicitation or supply of the acquisition or sale of securities. There is no such thing as a assurance that any securities mentioned herein will stay within the portfolio on the time you obtain this report or that the securities bought haven’t been repurchased. Securities mentioned don’t signify your complete portfolio and in combination might signify solely a small proportion of the portfolio’s holdings. Earlier than investing or utilizing any technique, people ought to seek the advice of with their tax, authorized, or monetary advisor.
Rewey Asset Administration is a registered funding advisor within the State of New Jersey
Editor’s Notice: The abstract bullets for this text had been chosen by Searching for Alpha editors.
