International Small Caps in Focus

On May 13, 2013, we wrote a blog entitled “International Mid and Small Caps Offer Size and Sector Diversification” -a piece highlighting the fact that although many focus strictly on the MSCI EAFE Index outside the United States, there might be benefits to looking at indexes outside the large-cap end of the capitalization spectrum. Today we address how WisdomTree’s May 31, 2013, annual rebalance screen impacted the WisdomTree International SmallCap Dividend Index (WTISDI), an Index built to measure the performance of small-cap dividend payers in developed international markets. How WisdomTree Rebalances It is important to note that WisdomTree adheres to a strict focus on relative value at its annual index rebalance. 1. Companies whose share prices have appreciated significantly but whose dividends haven’t kept pace typically see their weights reduced. 2. Companies whose share prices have fallen but whose dividends have stayed constant or increased typically see their weights increased. When we look at the changes in exposures as well as the numbers relative to the MSCI EAFE Index, it’s important to note that there are no views being taken—weighting is based on price performance relative to dividends. This rules-based rebalance program is an important part of the WisdomTree Index methodology’s added value. Throughout this piece we use the MSCI EAFE Index for comparison purposes due to its broadness of exposure to international equity markets. The Country Picture • Changes at 5/31/2013 Rebalance: Australia saw the biggest absolute change—a 4.2% increase in weight. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Italy lost approximately 2.2% of its weight. Overall, WTISDI’s exposure to Europe decreased approximately 7%, while its exposure to Asia & Pacific increased approximately 7%. In fact, all Asia & Pacific countries (Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore and New Zealand) saw weight increases. • WTISDI Weights Compared to MSCI EAFE Index: It is interesting that there are no double-digit under- or over-weights on the country side. Australia is the biggest over-weight at 9.1%, while Switzerland, France and Germany were some of the biggest under-weights at -7.6%, -6.8% and -5.1%, respectively. However, if one considers the exposures to Europe vs. the exposures to Asia & Pacific, a different picture emerges. WTISDI is nearly 20% under-weight in Europe and nearly 20% over-weight in Asia & Pacific compared to the MSCI EAFE Index. The Sector Picture • Changes at the 5/31/2013 Rebalance: Consumer Discretionary saw the biggest absolute change, with its weight decreasing by 3.6%, while Industrials gained the most (2.9%). Most of the other sector changes were quite small. • WTISDI Weights Compared to MSCI EAFE Index: The sector weights of WTISDI compared to the MSCI EAFE Index exhibit a much wider dispersion than does the country picture. Industrials are the standout—a 12.5% over-weight. But at 9.6%, Consumer Discretionary is also a rather large over-weight. We often describe the small-cap stocks as being more sensitive to the economic environment than large-cap stocks, and these two sector over-weight positions are part of that tilt. The under-weights in small caps compared to large caps come from the defensive sectors—Consumer Staples, Health Care, Telecommunication Services and Utilities. Collectively, the defensive sectors received 15.7% less weight in WTISDI than in the MSCI EAFE Index. On the other hand, cyclical sectors see almost 20% more weight in WTISDI than in the MSCI EAFE Index. Conclusion We believe that the WisdomTree International SmallCap Dividend Index rebalance affords a further opportunity to build on the picture of developed international small caps relative to the MSCI EAFE Index. In the near future, we shall turn our focus to the WisdomTree International MidCap Dividend Index in similar fashion.