Investing in 2022: Changes in Champlain Investment Partners' Holdings

Champlain Investment Partners, LLC recently reported its Q3 2022 and Q4 2022 holdings, revealing interesting changes in its portfolio. The firm, which manages various investment funds, including the Champlain Small Company Fund, invests primarily in small and mid-cap companies. In this article, we'll delve into the details of the fund's holdings, highlight the changes, and offer insights into investing in 2022.

One of the most notable changes in the fund's holdings was the decrease in shares held in Pure Storage Inc (PSTG). While the value of the shares decreased by only 5.3%, the fund sold around 345,000 shares in Q4, bringing the total shares held to 13.8 million. The company provides cloud-based data storage services and has been a popular stock among investors. However, recent trends towards hybrid cloud solutions may have caused the fund to reduce its position in Pure Storage.

Another company that saw a decrease in shares held was Nordson Corp (NDSN). Champlain Investment Partners reduced its holdings by approximately 4,100 shares, which amounted to a 11.5% decrease in value. Nordson Corp is a manufacturer of precision dispensing equipment, and the company has been affected by supply chain disruptions due to the pandemic, leading to possible caution from the fund.

The maximum decrease in shares held was in Generac Holdings Inc (GNRC). The fund sold over 1.5 million shares in Q4, which amounted to a 30.6% decrease in value. Generac Holdings, which designs and manufactures power generation equipment, has benefited from the increased demand for backup power supply solutions in the past year. However, the fund's decision to reduce its position in the company may be related to potential concerns over the company's high valuation.

In sharp contrast, the fund increased its holdings in Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation (IART) by approximately 100,000 shares, which represents a 29.9% increase in value. IART, which designs and sells medical devices used in neurosurgery and regenerative medicine, has seen significant growth in the last year. The decision to increase its position in IART could indicate the fund's confidence in the company's growth prospects.

The fund also increased its position in TradeWeb Markets Inc (TW). Champlain Investment Partners added approximately 493,000 more shares, which represents a 30.7% increase in value. TradeWeb's electronic trading platform has seen increased adoption, particularly in bond markets, leading to a surge in the company's revenue and stock price. The fund's decision to increase its exposure to TradeWeb could suggest its faith in the continued growth of the electronic trading space.

Another company that saw an increase in the fund's holdings was Okta Inc (OKTA). The fund bought an additional 204,000 shares, amounting to a 30.7% increase in value. Okta is a provider of identity management solutions, and its stock price has benefited from the growing need for secure identity verification in the digital age. The fund's decision to increase its position in Okta could indicate its belief in the increasing demand for identity and access management solutions.

Overall, Champlain Investment Partners, LLC made interesting changes to its holdings in Q4 2022. The fund appears to be reducing exposure to certain companies despite their recent success, while increasing its position in firms with positive growth prospects. These changes could indicate the fund's focus on investing in companies that are well-positioned for growth in 2022 and beyond.

As with any investment, it's important to do your research before making a decision. Consider hiring an investment advisor to help you navigate the ever-changing investment landscape and ensure that your investment aligns with your goals and risk tolerance.