Q1 2026 Portfolio Performance: +23.0%
The Aurelion Index continued to outperform its benchmark amid a sharp March market downturn. Our portfolio consists of small to mid-cap global stocks, each backed by research.
The Aurelion Index delivered 22.98% total return in the first quarter of 2026.
March performance was weaker at -4.04%, however it was significantly more resilient than our benchmark, the MSCI World Small Cap Index, which was down -8.55% during the month.
With our benchmark at +0.11% year-to-date, this leads to a notable 22.87% alpha generated in Q1 2026.
Total gross return since inception (July 1, 2025) is now 103.66%.
Q1 2026 outperformance was broad, with 15 out of 20 stocks contributing positively to returns.
Table of Contents
Overview of the Aurelion Index
Performance Drivers & Key Stocks
Current Companies in the Portfolio
Trades Executed During the Period (11 stock additions, 7 removals)
This is not financial advice, please do your own research. The Aurelion Index is a performance tracking tool, not a fund open for investment. Returns are shown “gross,” meaning they do not account for fees or trading costs, which would reduce performance. All figures are provided “as is” and may include estimates.
Overview of the Aurelion Index
The Aurelion Index measures the performance of each of our Buy-Rated companies (stocks for which we expect the share price to increase significantly). It is equally weighted. This means that with 15 stocks, each position would carry a portfolio weight of 6.6%.
Every time a stock is added to or removed from the index, paid subscribers receive a timely announcement. This is not investment advice; subscribers should make their own research.
We believe the Index provides a transparent and accountable view of our stock selection.
We provide both real-time access to the Buy-Rated companies in the Index and complete, in-depth research coverage to our paid subscribers.
Drivers of Performance & Key Stocks
Find below the gross cumulative return since inception.
US/IRAN War: How the Portfolio Was Impacted in March
March was a more difficult month for our holdings, with many of our companies impacted alongside the broader market, most down in the range of -4% to -8% for the month.
However, one of the reasons we outperformed the benchmark was our chemical name Huntsman (HUN), which benefited from higher oil prices as it can sell its chemicals at a higher price.
We also successfully exited our commodity stocks ahead of the conflict, as we believed certain commodity prices were getting stretched. This kept the portfolio from being negatively affected when tensions escalated.
We discuss January and February performance in more detail in previous posts if you are interested.
Notable Underperformers
One of our European holdings, Vusion (EPA: VU), declined significantly after our addition, falling by about 30%. The company provides electronic price tags for grocery stores and other retailers. As our European readers know, this is common in Europe but not yet broadly implemented in North America. Vusion is the sole supplier to Walmart, which this month committed to installing them in every US store.
Despite this positive news, Vusion has faced a combination of slightly disappointing 2026 guidance (15–20% growth), a new competing platform from Hanshow, and persistent short pressure. Short interest has increased to 4.7% of the company’s shares, led by Pertento Partners, which recently increased its position to become the largest short holder. We believe this bearish activity is disconnected from the business’s actual performance. Vusion holds 350+ retailer relationships, is Walmart’s exclusive supplier, and has weathered every short attack thrown at it. We recognize the mistake of assuming the downward trend had ended when we entered. However, we view the current weakness as an opportunity rather than a reason to exit.
How We Are Positioning the Portfolio in this Current Geopolitical Uncertainty
We currently view the broader general market as having the potential for further correction or limited upside for the year. Employment data continues to be difficult, companies are not seeing tangible benefits from AI investments, and higher oil prices could push inflation further.
We are not specifically alarmed, but believe having some defensive names in the portfolio is a good idea.
We have added several safer ideas, as we would call them. We currently have one bank, one consumer defensive, and two insurance plays. Even if they may seem boring, we selected them carefully, with a focus on upside and the fact that they remain largely overlooked.
What we like about this setup is that each company should perform well on its own, but could also benefit from a wave of capital moving toward safer companies as markets become more uncertain.
If you aren’t on the premium side of Aurelion Research, you are seeing only a portion of the process behind the Aurelion Index.
Please note that full holdings and in depth research are only available to paid subscribers.
Current Companies in the Portfolio
Please find below the current companies in the Aurelion Index as of March 31, 2026. We currently maintain 14 stocks under active coverage, each representing our highest conviction ideas and meeting our criteria for long term growth.