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SIMG News &Publications

Opinions expressed are those of the respective author or fund manager and are subject to change, are not guaranteed and should not be considered investment advice.

Lipper MarketPlace Best Money Managers, June 30, 2012
"Best Money Managers"

The Stephens Small Cap Growth and SMID Cap Core Growth Strategies were ranked as Top Performers by Lipper, as announced in the June 30, 2012 edition of Lipper MarketPlace’s Best Money Managers.

The Stephens Small Cap Growth Strategy was ranked 24th out of 391 products in the U.S. Small-cap Equity category and 11th out of 137 products in the U.S. Small-cap Growth Equity category for the 20 quarters ending June 30, 2012.

The Stephens Small Cap Growth Strategy was ranked 17th out of 166 products in the U.S. Small-cap Growth Equity category for the four quarters ending June 30, 2012.

The Stephens Small Cap Growth Strategy was ranked 9th out of 524 products in the U.S. Small-cap Equity category, 4th out of 174 products in the U.S. Small-cap Growth Equity category and 17th out of 695 products in the U.S. Growth Equity category for the one quarter ending June 30, 2012.

The Stephens SMID Cap Core Growth Strategy was ranked 6th out of 32 products in the U.S. SMID-cap Growth Equity category and 10th out of 74 products in the U.S. SMID-cap Equity category for the 20 quarters ending June 30, 2012.

The Stephens SMID Cap Core Growth Strategy was ranked 4th out of 85 products in the U.S. SMID-cap Equity category and 4th out of 35 products in the U.S. SMID-cap Growth Equity category for the four quarters ending June 30, 2012.

The Stephens SMID Cap Core Growth Strategy was ranked 13th out of 695 products in the U.S. Growth Equity category, 4th out of 89 products in the U.S. SMID-cap Equity category and 2nd out of 35 products in the U.S. SMID-cap Growth Equity category for the one quarter ending June 30, 2012.

Criteria to be ranked include that the product’s performance must be calculated in U.S. dollars, “net” of all fees and brokerage commissions, inclusive of all cash reserves, on an asset base which is at least $10 million in size, and that the classification of the product fall into one of the categories which they rank.


PSN Top Guns Performers, June 30, 2012
"Stephens Small Cap Growth Separate Account Strategy Named 1, 5 & 6 STAR TOP GUN in the Small Cap Growth Universe"

The PSN universes were created using the information collected through the PSN investment manager questionnaire and use only gross of fee returns.  Mutual fund and commingled fund products are not included in the universe. 1 STAR category top performers are strictly based on quarterly returns. 5 STAR category products must have an R-Squared of 0.80 or greater relative to the style benchmark for a five year period ending June 30, 2012.  Moreover, products must have returns greater than the style benchmark for the three latest three-year rolling periods ending June 30, 2012.  After that, PSN selects only the products which standard deviation for the five year period is equal or less than the median standard deviation for the peer group. The top ten performers for the latest three-year period become the TOP GUNS.  6 STAR category products must have an R-Squared of 0.80 or greater relative to the style benchmark for a five year period ending June 30, 2012.  Moreover, products must have returns greater than the style benchmark for the three latest three-year rolling periods ending June 30, 2012.  After that, PSN selects only the products which standard deviation for the five year period is equal or less than the median standard deviation for the peer group. The top ten information ratios for the latest five-year period become the TOP GUNS.


PSN Top Guns Performers, June 30, 2012
"Stephens SMID Cap Core Growth Separate Account Strategy Named 1 STAR TOP GUN in the Mid Cap Universe, 1 & 2 STAR TOP GUN in the Mid Cap Growth Universe"

The PSN universes were created using the information collected through the PSN investment manager questionnaire and use only gross of fee returns.  Mutual fund and commingled fund products are not included in the universe. 1 STAR category top performers are strictly based on quarterly returns. 2 STAR category top performers are strictly based on returns for one year period ending June 30, 2012.


PSN Top Guns Performers, June 30, 2012
"Stephens Mid Cap Growth Separate Account Strategy Named 5 STAR TOP GUN in the Mid Cap Universe, 5 STAR TOP GUN in the Mid Cap Growth Universe, BULL & BEAR MASTERS in the Mid Cap Growth Universe"

The PSN universes were created using the information collected through the PSN investment manager questionnaire and use only gross of fee returns.  Mutual fund and commingled fund products are not included in the universe.  5 STAR category products must have an R-Squared of 0.80 or greater relative to the style benchmark for a five year period ending June 30, 2012.  Moreover, products must have returns greater than the style benchmark for the three latest three-year rolling periods.  After that, PSN selects only the products which standard deviation for the five year period is equal or less than the median standard deviation for the peer group. The top ten performers for the latest three-year period become the TOP GUNS.  Bull & Bear Masters category was must have an R-Squared of 0.80 or greater relative to the style benchmark for the recent three year period ending June 30, 2012.  Moreover, products must have an Upside Market Capture ratio of 100 or more for the latest three year period, and Downside Market Capture ratio of 100 or less for the latest three year period.  The top ten Ratios between Upside Market Capture Ratio and Downside Capture Ratio became the PSN Bull & Bear Masters products.


Lipper MarketPlace, March 31, 2012
"Best Money Managers"

The Stephens Small Cap Growth and SMID Cap Growth Strategies were ranked as Top Performers by Lipper, as announced in the March 31, 2012 edition of Lipper MarketPlace’s Best Money Managers.

The Stephens Small Cap Growth Strategy was ranked 19th out of 161 products in the U.S. Small-cap Growth Equity category for the four quarters ending March 31, 2012.

The Stephens SMID Cap Growth Strategy was ranked 13th out of 82 products in the U.S. SMID-cap Equity category and 9th out of 36 products in the U.S. SMID-cap Growth Equity category for the four quarters ending March 31, 2012.

The Stephens SMID Cap Growth Strategy was ranked 16th out of 67 products in the U.S. SMID-cap Equity category and 10th out of 31 products in the U.S. SMID-cap Growth Equity category for the twenty quarters ending March 31, 2012.

Criteria to be ranked include that the product’s performance must be calculated in U.S. dollars, “net” of all fees and brokerage commissions, inclusive of all cash reserves, on an asset base which is at least $10 million in size, and that the classification of the product fall into one of the categories which they rank.


PSN Top Guns Performers, March 31, 2012
"Stephens Mid Cap Growth Separate Account Strategy Named 5 STAR TOP GUN"

The PSN universes were created using the information collected through the PSN investment manager questionnaire and use only gross of fee returns.  Mutual fund and commingled fund products are not included in the universe.  5 STAR category products must have an R-Squared of 0.80 or greater relative to the style benchmark for a five year period ending December 31, 2011.  Moreover, products must have returns greater than the style benchmark for the three latest three-year rolling periods.  After that, PSN selects only the products which standard deviation for the five year period is equal or less than the median standard deviation for the peer group. The top ten performers for the latest three-year period become the TOP GUNS.

PSN Top Guns Performers, March 31, 2012
"Stephens Small Cap Growth Separate Account Strategy Named 6 STAR TOP GUN"

The PSN universes were created using the information collected through the PSN investment manager questionnaire and use only gross of fee returns.  Mutual fund and commingled fund products are not included in the universe.  6 STAR category products must have an R-Squared of 0.80 or greater relative to the style benchmark for the five year period ending March 31, 2012.  Moreover, products must have returns greater than the style benchmark for the three latest three-year rolling periods.  After that, PSN selects only the products which standard deviation for the five year period is equal or less than the median standard deviation for the peer group. The top ten performers for the latest five-year period become the TOP GUNS.
 
Emerging Manager Monthly, February 2012 Edition
"6th Annual Emerging Manager Awards"

Emerging Manager Monthly, in association with eVestment Alliance, announced that the Stephens Mid Cap Growth Strategy was selected as a finalist among the nominees in the mid-cap category for the 6th Annual Emerging Manager Awards.  Nominees in seven categories (large-cap equity, small-cap equity, small- to mid-cap equity, mid-cap equity, all-cap equity, international equity and cored fixed-income) were ranked based on the following criterion:  excess returns over benchmark, performance versus peers, product asset growth, product asset percentage growth and standard deviation.  Overall, over 339 products were considered.  To be eligible for the awards, managers must have submitted year-end 2011 data to eVestment Alliance by January 21, 2012, have less than $2 billion in assets under management and have full-year 2011 performance figures.

Lipper MarketPlace, December 31, 2011
"Best Money Managers"

The Stephens Mid Cap Growth Strategy was ranked as Top Performers by Lipper, as announced in the December 31, 2011 edition of Lipper MarketPlace’s Best Money Managers.

The Stephens Mid Cap Growth Strategy was ranked 38th out of 272 products in the U.S. Mid-cap Equity category and 17th out of 105 products in the U.S. Mid-cap Growth category for the four quarter ending December 31, 2011.

The Stephens Mid Cap Growth Strategy was ranked 23rd out of 226 products in the U.S. Mid-cap Equity category and 15th out of 92 products in the U.S. Mid-cap Growth category for the twelve quarters ending December 31, 2011.

Criteria to be ranked include that the product’s performance must be calculated in U.S. dollars, “net” of all fees and brokerage commissions, inclusive of all cash reserves, on an asset base which is at least $10 million in size, and that the classification of the product fall into one of the categories which they rank.


PSN Top Guns Performers, December 31, 2011
"Stephens Mid Cap Growth Separate Account Strategy Named 5 STAR TOP GUN"

The PSN universes were created using the information collected through the PSN investment manager questionnaire and use only gross of fee returns.  Mutual fund and commingled fund products are not included in the universe.  5 STAR category products must have an R-Squared of 0.80 or greater relative to the style benchmark for a five year period ending December 31, 2011.  Moreover, products must have returns greater than the style benchmark for the three latest three-year rolling periods ending September 30, 2011.  After that, PSN selects only the products which standard deviation for the five year period is equal or less than the median standard deviation for the peer group. The top ten performers for the latest three-year period become the TOP GUNS.


Lipper MarketPlace, September 30, 2011
"Best Money Managers"

The Stephens Small Cap Growth Strategy and the Stephens Mid Cap Growth Strategy were both ranked as Top Performers by Lipper, as announced in the September 30, 2011 edition of Lipper MarketPlace’s Best Money Managers.

The Stephens Small Cap Growth Strategy was ranked 32nd out of 447 products in the U.S. Small-cap Equity category and 19th out of 148 products in the U.S. Small-cap Growth Equity category for the four quarters ending September 30, 2011.

The Stephens Mid Cap Growth Strategy was ranked 31st out of 279 products in the U.S. Mid-cap Equity category and 12th out of 111 products in the U.S. Mid-cap Growth category for the quarter ending September 30, 2011.

The Stephens Mid Cap Growth Strategy was ranked 25th out of 250 products in the U.S. Mid-cap Equity category and 18th out of 101 products in the U.S. Mid-cap Growth category for the four quarters ending September 30, 2011.

Criteria to be ranked include that the product’s performance must be calculated in U.S. dollars, “net” of all fees and brokerage commissions, inclusive of all cash reserves, on an asset base which is at least $10 million in size, and that the classification of the product fall into one of the categories which they rank.


PSN Top Guns Performers, September 30, 2011
"Stephens Small-Mid Cap Growth Separate Account Strategy Named 1, 5 and 6 STAR TOP GUN"

The PSN universes were created using the information collected through the PSN investment manager questionnaire and use only gross of fee returns.  Mutual fund and commingled fund products are not included in the universe. 1 STAR category top performers are strictly based on quarterly returns. 5 STAR category products must have an R-Squared of 0.80 or greater relative to the style benchmark for a five year period ending September 30, 2011.  Moreover, products must have returns greater than the style benchmark for the three latest three-year rolling periods ending September 30, 2011.  After that, PSN selects only the products which standard deviation for the five year period is equal or less than the median standard deviation for the peer group. The top ten performers for the latest three-year period become the TOP GUNS.  6 STAR category products must have an R-Squared of 0.80 or greater relative to the style benchmark for a five year period ending September 30, 2011.  Moreover, products must have returns greater than the style benchmark for the three latest three-year rolling periods ending September 30, 2011.  After that, PSN selects only the products which standard deviation for the five year period is equal or less than the median standard deviation for the peer group. The top ten information ratios for the latest five-year period become the TOP GUNS.

"Stephens Mid Cap Growth Separate Account Strategy Named 6 STAR TOP GUN"

The PSN universes were created using the information collected through the PSN investment manager questionnaire and use only gross of fee returns.  Mutual fund and commingled fund products are not included in the universe.  6 STAR category products must have an R-Squared of 0.80 or greater relative to the style benchmark for a five year period ending September 30, 2011.  Moreover, products must have returns greater than the style benchmark for the three latest three-year rolling periods ending September 30, 2011.  After that, PSN selects only the products which standard deviation for the five year period is equal or less than the median standard deviation for the peer group. The top ten information ratios for the latest five-year period become the TOP GUNS.


Lipper MarketPlace, June 30, 2011
"Best Money Managers"

The Stephens Small Cap Growth Strategy and the Stephens SMID Cap Growth Strategy  were both ranked as Top Performers by Lipper, as announced in the June 30, 2011 edition of Lipper MarketPlace’s  Best Money Managers.  The Stephens Small Cap Growth Strategy was ranked 14th out of 171 products in the U.S. Small Cap Growth Equity Category and 34th out of 505 products in the U.S. Small Cap Equity Category.  The Stephens SMID Growth Strategy was ranked 14th out of 43 products in the U.S. SMID-cap Growth Equity Category.  Criteria to be ranked include that the product’s performance must be calculated in U.S. dollars, “net” of all fees and brokerage commissions, inclusive of all cash reserves, on an asset base which is at least $10 million in size, and that the classification of the product fall into one of the categories which they rank.


Emerging Manager Monthly, February 2011 Edition
"5th Annual Emerging Manager Awards"

Emerging Manager Monthly, in association with eVestment Alliance, announced that the Stephens Mid Cap Growth Strategy was selected as a finalist among the nominees in the mid-cap category for the 5th Annual Emerging Manager Awards.  Nominees in seven categories (large-cap equity, small-cap equity, small- to mid-cap equity, mid-cap equity, all-cap equity, international equity and cored fixed-income) were ranked based on the following criterion:  excess returns over benchmark, performance versus peers, product asset growth, product asset percentage growth and standard deviation.  Overall, over 381 products were considered.  To be eligible for the awards, managers must have submitted year-end 2010 data to eVestment Alliance by January 21, 2011, have less than $2 billion in assets under management and have full-year 2010 performance figures.


Forbes, November 8, 2010 Edition
"The Best Small Companies in America"

Forbes asked Ryan Crane, senior portfolio manager for Stephens Investment Management Group, to participate in Forbes' annual review of America's Best Small Companies.  Mr Crane was one of six small-cap "Gurus" asked to choose companies that he identified as compelling small caps based on several metrics.  The article contains a list of 100 small cap companies that were identified as some of America's best.


PSN Top Guns Special Edition, June 30, 2010
"Stephens Small-Mid Cap Growth Separate Account Strategy Named 5 Star TOP GUN"

The PSN universes were created using the information collected through the PSN investment manager questionnaire and use only gross of fee returns.  Mutual fund and commingled fund products are not included in the universe.  Products must have an R-Squared of 0.80 or greater relative to the style benchmark for a five year period ending June 30, 2010.  Moreover, products must have returns greater than the style benchmark for the three latest three-year rolling periods ending June 30, 2010.  At this point, the top ten performers for the latest 3 year period become the 4 STAR TOP GUNS.  Products are then selected which have a standard deviation fo rthe five year period equal or less than the median standard deviation for the peer group.  The top ten performers for the latest 3 year period become the 5 STAR TOP GUNS.  There were 125 managers and 164 products within the Mid Cap Growth Separate Account Universe for this time period.

"Stephens Small-Mid Cap Growth Separate Account Strategy Named 1 Star TOP GUN"

The PSN universes were created using the information collected through the PSN investment manager questionnaire and use only gross of fee returns.  Mutual fund and commingled fund products are not included in the universe.  The top 10 performers then become the 1 STAR TOP GUNS.  These top performers are strictly based on quarterly returns for the period ending June 30, 2010.  There were 125 managers and 164 products within the Mid Cap Growth Separate Account Universe for this time period.


The Street.com, March 16, 2010
"Get Ready for Oil Prices to Spike Again"

TheStreet.com interviewed Ryan Crane, senior portfolio manager for Stephens Investment Management Group, as part of TheStreet's Fund Manager Five Spot, where America's top mutual fund managers give their best stock picks in five fast and furious questions.  The topic of this interview was energy stocks and the potential for an oil crisis on the horizon.  In addition, Mr. Crane provided his thoughts on a few specific stocks, sectors, and investment themes.

These articles have been prepared solely for informative purposes as of their stated date and are not a solicitation, or an offer, to buy or sell any security. They do not purport to be a complete description of the securities, markets or developments referred to in the materials. Information included in the articles was obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but has not been independently verified and is not guaranteed to be accurate or complete. All expressions of opinion apply on the date of issuance of the articles. No subsequent publication or distribution of these articles shall mean or imply that any such information or opinion remains current at any time after the stated date of the article. You will not be advised of any changes in any such information or opinion. Additional information is available upon request.

PSN Top Guns Special Edition December 31, 2009
"Stephens Small Cap Growth Separate Account Strategy Named 6 Star TOP GUN"
The PSN universes were created using the information collected through the PSN investment manager questionnaire and use only gross of fee returns. Mutual fund and commingled fund products are not included in the universe. Products must have an R-Squared of 0.80 or greater relative to the style benchmark for a five year period ending December 31, 2009. Moreover, products must have returns greater than the style benchmark for the three latest three-year rolling periods ending December 31, 2009. At this point, the top ten performers for the latest 3 year period become the 4 STAR TOP GUNS. Products are then selected which have a standard deviation for the five year period equal or less than the median standard deviation for the peer group. The top ten performers for the latest 3 year period become the 5 STAR TOP GUNS. The top ten information ratios for the latest five-year period ended December 31, 2009 then become the 6 STAR TOP GUNS. There were 182 managers and 239 products within the
Small Cap Growth Separate Account Universe for this time period.


PSN Top Guns Special Edition December 31, 2009
"Stephens Small-Mid Cap Growth Separate Account Strategy Named Bull & Bear Master"
The PSN universes were created using the information collected through the PSN investment manager questionnaire and use only gross of fee returns. Mutual fund and commingled fund products are not included in the universe. Products must have an R-Squared of 0.80 or greater relative to the style benchmark for a three year period ending December 31, 2009. Moreover, products must have an upside market capture over 100 and a downside market capture less than 100 relative to the style benchmark. There were 61 managers and 69 products within the Small-Mid Growth Separate Account Universe for this time period. The top ten ratios of Upside Capture Ratio over Downside Capture Ratio become the PSN Bull & Bear Masters.


PSN Top Guns Special Edition September 30, 2009
"Stephens Small-Mid Cap Growth Separate Account Strategy Named Bull & Bear Master"
The PSN universes were created using the information collected through the PSN investment manager questionnaire and use only gross of fee returns. Mutual fund and commingled fund products are not included in the universe. Products must have an R-Squared of 0.80 or greater relative to the style benchmark for a three year period ending September 30, 2009. Moreover, products must have an upside market capture over 100 and a downside market capture less than 100 relative to the style benchmark. There were 59 managers and 61 products within the Small-Mid Growth Separate Account Universe for this time period. The top ten ratios of Upside Capture Ratio over Downside Capture Ratio become the PSN Bull & Bear Masters.


PSN Top Guns Special Edition June 30, 2009
"Stephens Small-Mid Cap Growth Separate Account Strategy Named Bull & Bear Master"
The PSN universes were created using the information collected through the PSN investment manager questionnaire and use only gross of fee returns. Mutual fund and commingled fund products are not included in the universe. Products must have an R-Squared of 0.80 or greater relative to the style benchmark for a three year period ending June 30, 2009. Moreover, products must have an upside market capture over 100 and a downside market capture less than 100 relative to the style benchmark. There were 70 managers and 84 products within the Small-Mid Growth Separate Account Universe for this time period. The top ten ratios of Upside Capture Ratio over Downside Capture Ratio become the PSN Bull & Bear Masters.


PSN Top Guns Special Edition March 31, 2009
"Stephens Small-Mid Cap Growth Separate Account Strategy Named Bull & Bear Master"
The PSN universes were created using the information collected through the PSN investment manager questionnaire and use only gross of fee returns. Mutual fund and commingled fund products are not included in the universe. Products must have an R-Squared of 0.80 or greater relative to the style benchmark for a three year period ending March 31, 2009. Moreover, products must have an upside market capture over 100 and a downside market capture less than 100 relative to the style benchmark. There were 74 managers and 86 products within the Small-Mid Growth Separate Account Universe for this time period. The top ten ratios of Upside Capture Ratio over Downside Capture Ratio become the PSN Bull & Bear Masters.


PSN Top Guns Special Edition December 31, 2008
"Stephens Small-Mid Cap Growth Separate Account Strategy Named Bull & Bear Master"
The PSN universes were created using the information collected through the PSN investment manager questionnaire and use only gross of fee returns. Mutual fund and commingled fund products are not included in the universe. Products must have an R-Squared of 0.80 or greater relative to the style benchmark for a three year period ending December 31, 2008. Moreover, products must have an upside market capture over 100 and a downside market capture less than 100 relative to the style benchmark. There were 73 managers and 86 products within the Small-Mid Growth Separate Account Universe for this time period. The top ten ratios of Upside Capture Ratio over Downside Capture Ratio become the PSN Bull & Bear Masters.


PSN Top Guns Special Edition September 30, 2008
"Stephens Small-Mid Cap Growth Separate Account Strategy Named Bull & Bear Master"
The PSN universes were created using the information collected through the PSN investment manager questionnaire and use only gross of fee returns. Mutual fund and commingled fund products are not included in the universe. Products must have an R-Squared of 0.80 or greater relative to the style benchmark for a three year period ending September 30, 2008. Moreover, products must have an upside market capture over 100 and a downside market
capture less than 100 relative to the style benchmark. There were 76 managers and 91 products within the Small-Mid Growth Separate Account Universe for this time period. The top ten ratios of Upside Capture Ratio over Downside Capture Ratio become the PSN Bull & Bear Masters.


Emerging Manager Monthly May 2007
"Stephens Believes Time Is Right for Small Cap Growth Investing"
Stephens Investment Management Group, LLC ("SIMG") sees a market primed for a return to growth investing. When deciding on stock picks for the firm's small cap growth portfolio, the management and research teams look for two types of growth companies: core growth and earnings catalysts. Core growth is typified by stable, predictable companies with strong business models and steady earnings streams. Earnings catalysts identify new "factors" that may lead to increased earnings growth, such as a new product, a new management team or an acquisition. According to SIMG's Chief Investment Officer Ryan Crane, the investment team also looks for thematic investing opportunities-positioned from a bottom-up research process. Sometimes the investment thesis upon which a company capitalizes is part of a broader issue across a specific industry. When Ryan and his team identify these ideas, they will leverage that knowledge to find additional company investments.


Arkansas Democrat Gazette May 18, 2006
"State pension system's investments post gains"
The Arkansas Public Employees Retirement System's director, Gail Stone, said the trustees decided Tuesday to hire Stephens Investment Management Group's Houston office to manage $50 million for the system in the domestic stock market. Stephens Investment Management Group® is a subsidiary of Little Rock-based Stephens Holding Co. and has offices in Little Rock and Houston.