The Balmoral Investors Micro Cap Fund is spearheaded by founders and senior portfolio managers, Tim Canham and Wik Farwerck, both bringing extensive expertise from their previous roles at Colonial First State Global Asset Management and First Sentier Investors. These seasoned investors have a proven track record in micro-cap investing, capturing interest from private clients and financial advisors seeking quality management in this niche area.
Damien Hatfield, Partner and Head of Distribution at Mantis Funds, noted the increasing demand for expertly managed micro-cap investments. He highlighted the difficulty in accessing experienced managers with available capacity, expressing enthusiasm for reuniting with former colleagues Canham and Farwerck to offer their valuable insights to clients.
With the addition of Balmoral Investors, Mantis Funds now boasts a portfolio of 16 boutique investment partners, managing over $50 billion across various actively managed strategies. Canham and Farwerck's partnership has been notably successful, managing over $1 billion in funds with annual returns surpassing benchmarks by 8.3% over a 15-year span.
The portfolio managers shared their excitement about bringing a new micro-cap capability to the market, differing from the typical small-cap approach. Canham emphasized the unique skills required to manage micro-cap investments due to their specific size, liquidity, and capital constraints. He observed a lack of research in this market segment, presenting an opportunity for knowledgeable investors to capitalize on undervalued positions.
Drawing on their experience managing large micro-cap products, Farwerck emphasized their team's capability to excel in this specific market area, utilizing extensive research and stock-picking skills honed over years. They plan to uphold their previous methodologies in portfolio construction, financial modeling, and investment processes to rapidly establish Balmoral as a new investment entity.
