Oscar Oberg: Small caps are primed to rally, and it doesn't happen without these stocks

Plus the need to generate returns through short-term tactical trades
The Rules of Investing

Livewire Markets

A year ago, Livewire's David Thornton sat down with Oscar Oberg, lead portfolio manager at Wilson Asset Management. His thesis then was that small caps were beaten down and due some mean reversion.

Alas, small caps haven’t done much since then, with the Small Ords returning 3.91%. 

Yet Oscar’s thesis also remains unchanged. In fact, it’s gotten stronger!

Not only is he positioning for a rebound in smalls and micro-caps, he has an overweight call in a sector that has been tarred and feathered by today’s macroeconomic landscape of high inflation and high rates. As Oscar puts it, “there’s no mean reversion without it.”

In today’s episode, Oscar lays out this thesis and the companies that make it up. 

He also discusses:

  • the relationship between the tech rally and small caps;
  • generating return with short-term tactical trades; and
  • how he deals with low liquidity, 
  • and the primed aged care stock under takeover.     

Note: This episode was recorded on Tuesday July 20, 2023

Oscar Oberg, Wilson Asset Management
Oscar Oberg, Wilson Asset Management

 

Timestamps:

0:00 - START
1:50 - When will small caps bottom?
4:30 - No small cap rally without consumer discretionary
6:30 - Profit taking
7:30 - Why large cap tech matters to small caps
10:14 - 30-40% rally is not out of the question
14:30 - Harvey Norman's (ASX: HVN) property backstop
16:00 - Wearing the volatility
17:00 - Industrials
20:20 - Going tactical
24:15 - Mermaid Marine
26:30 - Body language matters
27:30 - City Chic (ASX: CCX) was a mistake
29:20 - Managing liquidity in small caps
32:45 - Takeover target
34:50 - Balance sheets look good
36:55 - Going public too early
40:25 - The classifieds company for the bottom drawer

........
Livewire gives readers access to information and educational content provided by financial services professionals and companies ("Livewire Contributors"). Livewire does not operate under an Australian financial services licence and relies on the exemption available under section 911A(2)(eb) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) in respect of any advice given. Any advice on this site is general in nature and does not take into consideration your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making a decision please consider these and any relevant Product Disclosure Statement. Livewire has commercial relationships with some Livewire Contributors.

2 topics

2 stocks mentioned

2 contributors mentioned

The Rules of Investing
Livewire Markets

The Rules of Investing is one of Australia's top investing podcasts. We interview the leading investment minds from Australia and overseas to better understand their processes and philosophy. After launching in October 2017, there have been over...

I would like to

Only to be used for sending genuine email enquiries to the Contributor. Livewire Markets Pty Ltd reserves its right to take any legal or other appropriate action in relation to misuse of this service.

Personal Information Collection Statement
Your personal information will be passed to the Contributor and/or its authorised service provider to assist the Contributor to contact you about your investment enquiry. They are required not to use your information for any other purpose. Our privacy policy explains how we store personal information and how you may access, correct or complain about the handling of personal information.

Comments

Sign In or Join Free to comment
Elf Footer