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Polen Capital Renames SMID Strategy as Q4 Letters Detail Rocket Lab, Nutanix and Alibaba Attribution

The update highlights benchmark lag across strategies and explains how stock‑specific events drove relative results.

Overview

  • Polen 5Perspectives Small‑Mid Growth returned −0.1% gross and −0.3% net in Q4 2025, trailing the Russell 2500 Growth Index’s 0.3% gain.
  • The former U.S. SMID Cap Growth strategy was renamed Polen 5Perspectives Small Mid Growth to formalize a five‑viewpoint investment framework.
  • Rocket Lab was a relative detractor because Polen initiated the position late after a near‑50% quarterly surge; the company reported $180 million in Q4 revenue, up 36% year over year.
  • Nutanix shares fell after the company cut its 2026 revenue and earnings outlook due to customer migrations and supply/OEM uncertainty, though FQ2 2026 revenue later came in at $723 million, above guidance.
  • In International Growth, Alibaba (not owned) was a top relative contributor as its shares declined about 19% with core e‑commerce profitability pressured by heavy investment to compete with Meituan.