The RS Smaller Company Growth Fund invests principally in smaller growth companies. The Fund normally invests at least 80% of its net assets in companies considered by RS Investments at the time to be smaller companies - currently, companies with market capitalizations up to that of the largest company included in the Russell 2000® Index on the last day of the most recent quarter (currently, approximately $7.1 billion, based on the size of the largest company on March 31, 2008). We seek smaller companies that we believe have the potential for long-term capital appreciation based on superior or niche products or services, operating characteristics, management, or other factors. The Fund may at times invest a substantial portion of its assets in technology companies.
Investment Objective
Long-term capital appreciation.
Investment Strategy
The Fund invests principally in equity securities. The Fund normally invests at least 80% of its net assets in companies considered by RS Investments at the time to be smaller companies--currently, companies with market capitalizations up to that of the largest company included in the Russell 2000® Index on the last day of the most recent quarter (currently, approximately $7.1 billion, based on the size of the largest company on March 31, 2008). Historically, the Fund has invested in companies with market capitalizations on the smaller side of this range. The Fund may at times invest a substantial portion of its assets in technology companies.
Investment Process
In selecting investments for the Fund, we may look for:
whether a company has sustainable revenue and/or earnings growth;
whether a company has a competitive advantage and strong financial characteristics;
whether a company is underfollowed by Wall Street analysts.
Sell Discipline
We consider selling or initiating the process when:
the company no longer provides these advantages;
the security’s price reflects the company’s value;
the security’s price declines substantially below the purchase price.
Risk Factors
As with all mutual funds, the value of an investment in the Fund could decline, so you could lose money. Investing in smaller companies can involve risks such as having less publicly available information, higher volatility, and less liquidity than in the case of larger companies. Overweighting investments in certain sectors or industries increases the risk of loss due to general declines in the prices of stocks in those sectors or industries. Investments in technology companies may be highly volatile.