Micro Cap Growth Fund

About Wilshire Attribution

The Wilshire Atlas Variance Analysis tool provides a methodology for explaining the difference in performance between a portfolio and its benchmark, based on the decomposition of returns. The user specifies the portfolio, index, link frequency, sector and weighting. The weighting can be shown as beginning, average or end weights and is used for display purposes only. 

Average Weight (Portfolio): This is the average weight of each group in the portfolio. Alternatively, the weight at the end of the reporting period, or on average across the reporting period, may be selected.

Base Return (Portfolio): This is the weighted average holding period return for the securities in each group. This weighted average is calculated for each link period using beginning weights and then the resulting values are linked together to calculate the displayed value.

Average Weight (Benchmark): This is the average weight of each group in the benchmark. Alternatively, the weight at the end of the reporting period, or on average across the reporting period, may be selected.

Base Return (Benchmark): This is the weighted average holding period return for the benchmark securities in each group. This weighted average is calculated for each link period using beginning weights, then the resulting values are linked together to calculate the displayed value.

Stock Selection Variance: This is the success of selection decisions within each group versus the benchmark. It is calculated for each link period using the following equation: Stock Selection Variance = WP,G * (RP,G - RB,G), where WP,G = Weight of the group in the portfolio, RP,G = Return of the group in the portfolio, RB,G = Return of the group in the benchmark.

Group Weighting Variance: This is the result of weighting decisions in each group versus the benchmark. It is calculated for each link period using the following equation: Group Weighting Variance = (WP,G – WB,G) * (RB,G – RB,T), where WP,G = Weight of the group in the portfolio, WB,G = Weight of the group in the benchmark, RB,G = Return of the group in the benchmark, RB,T = Overall return of the benchmark.

Total Variance: This is the sum of group weighting and stock selection variances. This represents the amount of total variance that is explained by the selection and allocation decisions for each group.

Wilshire generated returns are calculated gross of fees based on end of day prices and do not capture intraday cash flow, price changes or trading activity, and therefore are subject to some variance from Lord Abbett returns. In addition, Wilshire and Lord Abbett may use different pricing sources and methodologies.

Not Classified securities represent those securities which have not been assigned an official GICS Direct classification. GICS Direct, a joint product of Standard & Poor’s and MSCI, provides industry classifications for more than 40,000 companies and over 45,000 securities. Not Classified securities may include, but are not limited to: Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), pink sheet-listed issues, pre-IPO placements, private placements, secondary issues, open-end funds, closed-end funds, and non-operating establishments.

Under certain circumstances, Lord Abbett may elect to have Wilshire map an ETF holding to the relevant characteristics represented by that ETF’s underlying index in order to reflect the exposure and performance contributed by the ETF to the overall portfolio. When this option is selected, Wilshire will remove the ETF from the Not Classified category and instead allocate the ETF’s exposures across the relevant attributes based on the composition of the ETF’s underlying index.