Out of the 47 managers in the sector, 18 are FE Alpha Managers, and there are a number of stocks that crop up again and again in their top-10 holdings.
The following stocks are held by at least four FE Alpha Managers; all are quoted on the FTSE 250, and none are among the 30 most popular stocks in the sector.
Dechra Pharmaceuticals
Dechra Pharmaceuticals is a British-based veterinary firm and is held by five funds run by FE Alpha Managers. This makes it the most popular stock among FE Alpha Managers in the sector.
Dechra is a member of the FTSE 250 index and, according to FE data, is the 38th most popular stock in the IMA UK Smaller Companies sector.
According to FE Analytics, it has returned 519.85 per cent over the last 10 years. It has also fared well recently, posting returns of 20.46 per cent over the last 12 months, although it has also been extremely volatile.
Performance of stock over 1-yr
Source: FE Analytics
The company is the largest holding of Richard Smith’s Invesco Perpetual UK Smaller Companies fund, making up 4.06 per cent of its total assets.
It is also a top-10 holding in Mark Niznik’s Artemis UK Smaller Companies, Anthony Cross and Julian Fosh’s Liontrust UK Smaller Companies, Giles Hargreave’s Marlborough Special Situations and Andy Brough’s Schroder UK Smaller Companies fund.
Anite
Anite is a software and computer services specialist that serves the travel industry and the wireless market.
The company is held by four IMA UK Smaller Companies FE Alpha Managers. However, it is only the 106th most popular holding of all the funds in the sector.
The company has posted steady gains over the last few years, with triple-figure returns over three, five and 10 years.
According to FE Analytics, Anite has had a particularly good year to date, with returns of 87.34 per cent.
It is the largest holding in Giles Hargreave’s Marlborough Special Situations fund. The portfolio, which compromises of more than 250 stocks, has 1.6 per cent of its total assets invested in the company.
Anite is also a top-10 holding for Daniel Nickols’ Old Mutual UK Select Smaller Companies, Philip Rodrigs’ Investec UK Smaller Companies and Paul Spencer's Franklin UK Smaller Companies fund.
Ashtead Group
Ashtead Group is a British industrial rental equipment company. While based in the UK, the majority of the firm's business comes from across the Atlantic.
FE data shows it is the 408th most popular IMA UK Smaller Companies stock, making it the least favoured on this list. Nonetheless, it is held by four FE Alpha Managers in the sector.
The company has delivered strong returns in recent years. According to FE Analytics, over the last 12 months it has made 142.82 per cent.
Performance of stock over 1-yr
Source: FE Analytics
Ashtead’s 10 year-track record is equally impressive, with capital returns of 1,440.43 per cent.
It is one of the largest holdings in Elaine Morgan’s boutique £14.8m Kames UK Smaller Companies fund, making up 2.83 per cent of total assets.
The Ashtead Group is also a top-10 holding in Daniel Nickols' Old Mutual UK Select UK Smaller Companies, Giles Hargreave’s Marlborough Special Situations and Philip Rodrigs’ Investec UK Smaller Companies fund.
Oxford Instruments
Oxford Instruments is a manufacturing and research company that specialises in tools and systems for scientific industries.
It is the 51st most popular stock in the IMA UK Smaller Companies sector.
It has returned 1,021.17 per cent over 10 years, with growth accelerating in recent years. Over three years it has returned 548.16 per cent to investors.
It makes up 3 per cent of Harry Nimmo’s Standard Life UK Smaller Companies fund – which is a concentrated portfolio of just 55 holdings.
Oxford Instruments is also a top-10 holding for Andy Brough’s Schroder UK Smaller Companies fund and Daniel Nickols’ Old Mutual UK Select Smaller Companies portfolio.