FREDERICA ABAN/iStock via Getty Images Overview A relatively strong earnings season and Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts were supportive of stocks in the fourth quarter of 2025. Within the global small-cap market, developed-market stocks generally outperformed emerging-market equities. In this environment, the MSCI AC World Small Cap Index gained 2.66%. The Wasatch Global Opportunities Fund—Inve...
FREDERICA ABAN/iStock via Getty Images Overview A relatively strong earnings season and Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts were supportive of stocks in the fourth quarter of 2025. Within the global small-cap market, developed-market stocks generally outperformed emerging-market equities. In this environment, the MSCI AC World Small Cap Index gained 2.66%. The Wasatch Global Opportunities Fund—Investor Class ( WAGOX ) underperformed its benchmark and ended the period down -1.96%. On a geographic basis, the Fund’s holdings in the U.S. and Japan lagged the Index and were the primary source of underperformance relative to the benchmark. Conversely, stock selection in markets such as India and Taiwan contributed to relative performance. At the sector level, the Fund’s holdings in the industrials and health care sectors detracted most from relative performance. However, the Fund’s underweight to the consumer-discretionary sector and lack of exposure to the real-estate sector contributed to relative results. Year in Review As part of our fourth quarter commentary, we also wanted to provide an update on Fund performance for the 2025 calendar year. For the year, the MSCI AC World Small Cap Index was up 19.72% while the Fund was down -4.69%. In terms of performance relative to the benchmark, it was the single worst year for the Fund since its inception. We acknowledge that these results have fallen well short of our clients’ expectations—and our own. As significant shareholders in our strategies, we feel that disappointment as well. One of the most frustrating elements of the year is that underlying fundamentals of the companies the Fund holds remained solid. Both the portfolio’s return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE) remained well ahead of these metrics in the benchmark during 2025, indicating no degradation in the overall quality of our portfolio. Earnings growth was also consistent and exceeded the benchmark. Over the long term, we would expect our companies’ hi...
Olena Bartienieva/iStock via Getty Images Iranian drone strikes targeted the UK's Royal Air Force base of Akrotiri in Cyprus, the first attack on European territory, and a major Saudi Aramco ( ARMCO ) refinery as Tehran retaliated against U.S.-Israeli strikes. "A Shahed unmanned aerial vehicle crashed into the military facilities of the British Bases in Akrotiri, causing minor material damage," C...
Olena Bartienieva/iStock via Getty Images Iranian drone strikes targeted the UK's Royal Air Force base of Akrotiri in Cyprus, the first attack on European territory, and a major Saudi Aramco ( ARMCO ) refinery as Tehran retaliated against U.S.-Israeli strikes. "A Shahed unmanned aerial vehicle crashed into the military facilities of the British Bases in Akrotiri, causing minor material damage," Cyprus' President Nikos Christodoulides said. "I want to be clear: Our homeland does not participate in any way and does not intend to be part of any military operation," he added . Cyprus is a member of the European Union. "We stand collectively, firmly and unequivocally with our Member States in the face of any threat," Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, posted on X. The drone strike followed UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer granting the U.S. permission to use British military bases to attack Iran and "destroy missiles at source." In Saudi Arabia, Aramco ( ARMCO ) shut its Ras Tanura refinery as a precautionary measure after a drone strike, an industry source told Reuters . The plant is one of the largest refineries in the region, with a capacity of 550,000 barrels per day. Two drones targeting the facility were intercepted, with debris causing a limited fire. There were no injuries. Related news Iran Escalation Shock Triggers Risk-Off Move To USD And Gold, Oil, Defense And Aerospace Win Iran Escalation: Oil Shock, Gold Surge, Equity Risk Gold rises above $5,400 as U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict escalates Iran vows revenge, Trump warns it 'better not' Iran targets U.S. military bases in Gulf after American-Israeli strikes