Investing in the Potential Sweet Spot: The Case for Mid Caps
- Mid caps have generated strong absolute and risk-adjusted returns relative to large- and small-cap stocks over multiple market cycles.
- Despite their unique benefits, market participants largely overlook mid caps.
Conventional wisdom claims large-cap stocks usually hold up the best when the market drops and small caps climb the quickest when the market rallies—a mindset that leaves mid-cap stocks out in the cold. Although they’re underappreciated by many market participants, mid-cap stocks can have a lot to offer, including a notable track record of outperformance and superior risk-adjusted returns.
A consistent pattern of outperformance
Mid-sized firms often occupy a sweet spot, pairing much of the operational dexterity of small caps with much of the business maturity associated with large caps. This unique blend has helped mid caps generate strong absolute and risk-adjusted returns relative to both large- and small-cap stocks over multiple market cycles and across sub-investment styles (i.e., growth, value).
When we analyzed absolute returns on a five-year rolling basis since 1994 according to a monthly frequency, mid caps outperformed large caps 72% of the time and small caps 93% of the time, as shown below. Moreover, Sharpe ratios were higher in 62% and 100% of the 257 five-year rolling periods analyzed versus large caps and small caps, respectively. While the Sharpe ratio considers all volatility—both good and bad—the Sortino ratio only considers the standard deviation of the downside movements. Mid caps had higher Sortino ratios 60% and 100% of the time versus large caps and small caps, respectively.
Taking the analysis one step further, each metric was analyzed to ascertain which cap style had the best metrics overall for a given rolling period. Not surprisingly, mid caps posted higher Sharpe ratios than both large caps and small caps at the same time in 61% of the 257 five-year periods analyzed. The same analysis reveals a 60% hit rate for the Sortino ratio for mid caps. Using absolute returns illustrates the same trend, as mid caps have had higher absolute returns than those of both large caps and small caps at the same time in 66% of the periods analyzed.1
Taking a closer look at performance during major systemic risk events, our research shows that mid-cap stocks have historically experienced smaller drawdowns than either large- or small-cap stocks and also took less time to recover. These findings run contrary to two common beliefs: that shares of the largest firms hold up the best in a downturn due to their greater resources and more-mature business models; and that shares of more domestically-oriented, nimble, “risk-on” small caps are the fastest to recover after the market turns up. Our full report provides more details about our analysis of equity market performance during crises.
Often underappreciated but worth another look
Despite the unique combination of stability and growth potential offered by mid caps, market participants largely overlook the segment. Fundamental analysts focus on well-known firms with heavy media coverage and high-profile earnings reports. In fact, almost twice as many analysts, on average, cover large-cap stocks as those who cover mid-cap stocks—a trend that extends across all sectors.2 While large stocks are covered more by fundamental analysts, small stocks are more heavily researched by academics: Ten times as many research papers are written on small caps than mid caps.3 Investors may also be missing out: Only $1.2 billion is invested in pure mid-cap strategies, compared with $8.5 trillion in large caps.4