Samantha S. Lau, CFA
25 Years at AB|31 Years of Experience
Samantha S. Lau was named Chief Investment Officer of Small and SMID Cap Growth Equities in October 2023. Previously, she was the co-chief investment officer of Small and SMID Cap Growth Equities since 2014. Lau joined the firm in 1999 as a portfolio manager/analyst responsible for research and portfolio management for the technology sector of AB’s Small and SMID Cap Growth strategies. From 1997 to 1999, Lau covered small-cap technology companies for INVESCO (NY) (formerly Chancellor Capital Management). Before joining Chancellor in 1997, she worked for three years as a healthcare securities analyst in the investment research department of Goldman Sachs. Lau co-chaired the Women’s Leadership Council at AB from 2019 to 2022. She holds a BS (magna cum laude) in finance and accounting from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and is a CFA charterholder. Location: New York
Published Work
Historically low valuations and positive earnings outlooks relative to large-cap stocks suggest that small-caps may lead an eventual economic rebound.
Smaller stocks offer diversification benefits and investment opportunities that can't be found in their larger brethren. But because large-cap stocks have been so popular for the last 10 years, many investors have missed out on the compelling stories and advantages smaller companies can provide. Our research aims to shine some light on the universe of smaller stocks by examining their perceived risks, performance drivers and return potential-particularly amid a recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and recession. The time is right for investors to consider smaller investments that have the potential to sparkle.
Small-cap stocks were hit hard in the coronavirus sell-off. But select smaller companies with innovative advantages could offer a surprising source of diversification for the uncertain times ahead.
As trade tensions escalate, investors are flocking to stocks of smaller US companies, which rely less on foreign sales than their large-cap peers. But in some industries, tariffs could affect smaller companies in unexpected ways.