Corporate Engagement Update Q2 2023

The Bailard Technology Strategy posted a 2Q25 total return of 22.98% net of fee—slightly below the category benchmark, the S&P North American Technology Index, which returned 23.38%—but ahead of competitor benchmarks, i.e. the Morningstar U.S. Open End Technology Category, which returned 22.66% and the Lipper Science and Technology Fund Index, which returned 22.48%. Year to date, the Strategy led the NA Tech Index, Morningstar US OE Tech Category, and the Lipper Sci & Tech Index by 2.21%, 1.07%, and 2.33%, respectively. As of June 30, 2025, the Strategy’s net returns over the 3-, 5-, and 10-year periods exceeded the returns of the competitor peer benchmarks.

Investors shrugged off initial trade war panic, and risk-on sentiment dominated thereafter. Both growth stocks and low-quality “junk” stocks benefited. Barring a recession, small cap stocks are positioned to relatively benefit from tariff policy, deregulation, and interest rate cuts. Valuation differences between small caps and large caps make the relative benefits even more compelling.

In his first 9:05 piece as CIO, Dave Harrison Smith, CFA, reflects on Bailard’s enduring philosophy and what lies ahead.