Why Should an Investor Consider International Small-Caps?

Francis Gannon: So let's start off by talking about why an investor should consider putting international smaller companies into a portfolio.

David Nadel: Well, I think, first of all, you're increasing your opportunity set in an uncorrelated asset class. So there are about three times as many small-cap companies outside the U.S. as there are in the U.S.

I think the international small-cap market is home to a lot of high-quality, world-class companies, and don't forget that a billion-and-a-half market cap company in many markets outside the U.S. can be a global number one in its niche. It's a little less likely in the context of the U.S. small-cap world.

Francis: And how important is active management within that world that we operate in?

David: I think active management is crucial. The large universe of international small-cap companies, and there are about 25,000 companies that have market caps of $5 billion and less outside the U.S., that universe is filled with a lot of very low-quality companies, and a challenge with passive management is you're kind of buying the whole market, which typically is going to include anywhere from a quarter to a third of companies that are losing money.

So if you're more of a quality focused investor that's interested in high returns on invested capital, strong balance sheets, self-funding businesses, high market shares—all those types of things—I think active management can add quite a bit of value.

Important Disclosure Information

The thoughts and opinions expressed in the video are solely those of the person speaking and may differ from those of other Royce investment professionals, or the firm as a whole. There can be no assurance with regard to future market movements.

This material is not authorized for distribution unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing or sending money. Investments in securities of small-cap companies may involve considerably more risk than investments in securities of larger-cap companies. (Please see "Primary Risks for Fund Investors" in the prospectus.) Investments in foreign companies may be subject to different risks than investments in securities of U.S. companies, including adverse political, social, economic, or other developments that are unique to a particular country or region. (Please see "Investing in International Securities" in the prospectus.)