Best of the Best: Ignore the noise & find great companies - Arden Jennings | Ausbil

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Dec 10, 2025

Join Arden Jennings, co-head of Emerging Companies at Ausbil, as he dives into the world of Australian small caps, predicting 2026 as a breakout year for growth. He shares strategies for identifying hidden gems while navigating the complexities of market volatility. Arden discusses the importance of earnings-driven investments and his focus on themes like AI and mining services. With insights on managing expectations and avoiding retail hype, he highlights promising companies like Life360. Plus, his firm belief in upcoming advancements in AI and infrastructure makes for a riveting listen!

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ADVICE

Hold On Upgrades, Cut When Thesis Breaks

Hold stocks while earnings upgrades continue and trim positions as they become large.
Exit when the company’s fundamental thesis is broken or facts change.

INSIGHT

Macro Guides, Bottom‑Up Rules

Macro is a guide and only ~10% of their input; bottom‑up stock selection is 90% of the work.
They used macro signals in 2022 to reduce growth exposure and limit drawdowns.

ADVICE

Use Consensus, Then Build Your Own View

Use consensus data (Bloomberg/FactSet/Visible Alpha) but build your own forecasts.
Monitor market positioning, bank views and passive ownership to assess crowding risks.

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Today we’re joined by Arden Jennings, co-head of Emerging Companies at Ausbil and portfolio manager for their small and micro cap funds.

Arden explains why he thinks 2026 will be the year for Aussie Small Caps, and what companies might grow into household names over the next couple of years (or decades!).

In this episode:

Why small caps are back and where Arden sees the best opportunities
Spotting upgrades and avoiding blow-ups
And how he’s thinking about themes like AI, mining services and Life360 for 2026

For more information about Ausbil and important disclosures, including Ausbil’s disclaimer, please refer here.

Ready to secure your financial future? Viola Private Wealth delivers bespoke strategies designed for high-net-worth individuals and families. Managing significant wealth should not feel overwhelming. For tailored advice and practical, long-term results, visit www.violaprivatewealth.com.au.

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Equity Mates Media and the hosts of Equity Mates Investing acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people today.

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