Is the tide starting to turn for UK smaller companies?

Before the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East, the performance gap between UK smaller companies and the country’s largest businesses had started to narrow. In an interview recorded in mid-February, Kyle and Richard Staveley, manager of investment trust Rockwood Strategic, discussed why this area of the market is unloved, whether interest rate cuts will act as a catalyst for performance and investor sentiment, and how the trust works with firms to unlock value. Kyle Caldwell is Funds and Investment Education Editor at interactive investor.On The Money is an interactive investor (ii) podcast. For more investment news and ideas, visit www.ii.co.uk/stock-market-news.Important information:This podcast is intended for information purposes only and is not a personal recommendation. Past performance is not a guide to future performance. The value of your investments may go down as well as up, and you may not get back all the money that you invest. Full performance information can be found on the company or index summary page on the interactive investor website.The ii Personal Pension (SIPP) is for people who want to make their own decisions when investing for retirement. Usually, you won’t be able to withdraw your money until age 55 (57 from 2028). If you are in any doubt about the suitability of the ii Personal Pension (SIPP), Stocks & Shares ISA, Trading Account, and/or any related tax treatment of these products, you should seek independent financial advice.Interactive Investor Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.