Home Latest Articles Summary The Institute for Supply Management Services Purchasing Managers' Index surged to 54.4% in December, signaling continued strength in the sector responsible for more than two thirds of economic activity. The information technology sector delivered some of the portfolio's strongest performance in the fourth quarter. Lumentum Holdings is one of the few companies providing specialty lasers for optical transceiver manufacturers, which are critical components for artificial intelligence infrastructure. AeroVironment engineers and manufactures autonomous unmanned aircraft systems and counter systems. The Fund's outlook for U.S. small-cap stocks is optimistic, driven by favorable macroeconomic trends and easing monetary policy as the Federal Reserve resumes its rate-cutting cycle. MadamLead/iStock via Getty Images Market Overview The U.S.…