Quantitative investing

Size factor

Stocks with a lower market value (mid and small caps) realize higher returns than those with a higher market value or capitalization (large caps).

In academic circles the discussion focuses on whether the better expected performance of companies with a lower market value is only compensation for the higher degree of risk.

Another point of discussion concerns the transaction costs that accompany a strategy based on this factor. These costs are higher for equities with a lower market value due to the reduced liquidity.

Robeco implicitely uses the Size factor by including mid and small cap stocks in its investable universe.

See also

Momentum factor
Quality-factor
Low volatility factor
Risk factor

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