Markets: What lower rates mean for Russell 2000 small caps

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00:00 Speaker A

Let’s talk about the small caps, uh, to Eric, because it’s it’s been a strong move, especially among, you know, you look at the unprofitable companies as you point out, Eric. Does that concern you that move? Does is that a, is that a sign of excess or no, hey, that’s that’s a sign of of the kind of leadership we want to see.

00:26 Eric

Well, I like the idea that the small caps are rallying, makes perfect sense. They have underperformed large caps for over a decade.

00:35 Eric

When you have a Fed that’s cutting rates, who benefits?

00:41 Eric

Small companies benefit more than large. They’re more levered.

00:48 Eric

And it just stands to reason that lower rates are going to help them

00:54 Eric

more.

00:57 Eric

So, I’m okay with that. I am I concerned that the unprofitable 40% of the Russell 2000 is beating the 60% profitable by 10%? Yes. That is a lot of speculation. That gets me nervous. I don’t like seeing that.

01:21 Speaker A

Do you want

01:21 Eric

I’d rather be in the small cap 600, which by the way, underperforming the Russell in a big way. The small cap 600 is up about 6%, the Russell is up about 13. But I believe in quality over time.

01:45 Speaker A

Do you want to stay US focused next year, Eric, or do you tell your clients, listen, you should also continue to have exposure overseas?

01:55 Eric

You’ve got to have exposure overseas. Look at the dollar, the dollar’s had its worst year in eight years. It’s down about 9% versus a basket of currencies and a lot of that’s due to lower rates. And I do think even though the rate is going to slow in terms of decreases, I don’t think the Fed is done, especially given what Trump is trying to do and and who he’s bringing in. Lower rates generally mean softer dollar. Softer dollar is a tailwind for international investing. You got to be there.