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Media Release
Bell Australian Small Companies Fund receives Recommended rating from Zenith
July 2026
Important Information:
This webinar contains information specifically intended for institutional clients, asset consultants, advisers, platforms and researchers, who are professional investors and wholesale clients (as defined in the Corporations Act 2001).
I confirm that I am a professional or wholesale investor as defined by the Corporations Act 2001 and wish to proceed.
Bell Australian Small Companies Fund has been awarded a Recommended rating by Zenith Investment Partners, less than a month after the fund's inception.
Zenith's Product Assessment Report cites the Fund's disciplined, research-driven process and the depth of experience of Portfolio Managers Tim Johnston, James Nguyen and Scott Hudson as key factors in the rating.
“Overall, Zenith believes the stock selection process employed by the team is robust and in-depth, providing a strong input into the portfolio construction process." Zenith noted in its assessment.
Michael Lovett, Chief Executive Officer of Bell Asset Management, says the rating reflects the rigour the team has brought to the Australian small-cap market since launch.
"To receive a Recommended rating from a research house of Zenith's standing, this early in the Fund's life, is a strong endorsement of the process and the team behind it. It gives investors an independent view of the depth of work going into this strategy."
Portfolio Manager Tim Johnston says the rating reinforces the team's approach to identifying quality Australian small-cap companies before the broader market prices them in.
"This rating is great a milestone and we remain focussed on the research process that got us here, that is the same disciplined, bottom-up approach we apply to every stock we consider."
The rating comes at a volatile moment for the asset class. The S&P/ASX Small Ordinaries (Total Return) Index returned approximately 25% in calendar year 2025 before falling around 12% year to date in 2026, more than four times the decline of the broader market. Bell's small-cap team believes the dislocation has left valuations attractive: large-cap earnings growth is tracking near zero this financial year, while consensus forecasts point to robust small-cap earnings growth.
About the Fund
The Bell Australian Small Companies Fund invests in a portfolio of quality listed Australian smaller companies, with the objective of outperforming the S&P/ASX Small Ordinaries Accumulation Index over the medium to long term, after fees and expenses. The Fund is available to investors with a minimum initial investment of $20,000.
About Bell Asset Management
Bell Asset Management is a specialist multi-investment team manager, bringing together dedicated expert teams across global and Australian equities. Since 2000, our investment teams have navigated all market cycles guided by a single conviction: that high-quality small and mid-cap companies have the potential to generate strong long-term returns. In 2026, we expanded our capabilities with the launch of a dedicated Australian Small Companies team — experienced Portfolio Managers focused on uncovering quality growth in Australia’s small-cap universe. Each team operates with focus and independence, supported by Bell's institutional-grade platform across distribution, operations, and compliance.
Important information
Issued by Bell Asset Management Limited (ABN 84 092 278 647, AFSL 231091).The Trust Company (RE Services) Limited (ABN 45 003 278, 831 AFSL 235150 is the issuer of the product.
For general advice only and does not take account the objectives, financial situation or needs of investors. Read the PDS and Target Market Determination (TMD) (available at www.bellasset.com.au) to see if the product is right for you. All investments contain risk and may lose value.
The Zenith Investment Partners (ABN 27 103 132 672, AFS Licence 226872) ("Zenith") rating (PIM8252AU assigned 16 July 2026) referred to in this piece is limited to "General Advice" (s766B Corporations Act 2001) for Wholesale clients only. This advice has been prepared without taking into account the objectives, financial situation or needs of any individual, including target markets of financial products, where applicable, and is subject to change at any time without prior notice. It is not a specific recommendation to purchase,sell or hold the relevant product(s). Investors should seek independent financial advice before making an investment decision and should consider the appropriateness of thisadvice in light of their own objectives, financial situation and needs. Investors should obtain a copy of,andconsider the PDS or offer document before making any decision and refer to the full Zenith Product Assessment available on the Zenith website. Past performance is not an indication of future performance. Zenith usually charges the product issuer, fund manager or related party to conduct Product Assessments. Full details regarding Zenith's methodology, ratings definitions and regulatorycompliance are available on our Product Assessmentsand at Fund Research Regulatory Guidelines.
Important Information:
This video contains information specifically intended for institutional clients, asset consultants, advisers, platforms and researchers, who are professional investors and wholesale clients (as defined in the Corporations Act 2001).
I confirm that I am a professional or wholesale investor as defined by the Corporations Act 2001 and wish to proceed.
Bell Australian Small Companies Fund has been awarded a Recommended rating by Zenith Investment Partners, less than a month after the fund's inception.
Zenith's Product Assessment Report cites the Fund's disciplined, research-driven process and the depth of experience of Portfolio Managers Tim Johnston, James Nguyen and Scott Hudson as key factors in the rating.
“Overall, Zenith believes the stock selection process employed by the team is robust and in-depth, providing a strong input into the portfolio construction process." Zenith noted in its assessment.
Michael Lovett, Chief Executive Officer of Bell Asset Management, says the rating reflects the rigour the team has brought to the Australian small-cap market since launch.
"To receive a Recommended rating from a research house of Zenith's standing, this early in the Fund's life, is a strong endorsement of the process and the team behind it. It gives investors an independent view of the depth of work going into this strategy."
Portfolio Manager Tim Johnston says the rating reinforces the team's approach to identifying quality Australian small-cap companies before the broader market prices them in.
"This rating is great a milestone and we remain focussed on the research process that got us here, that is the same disciplined, bottom-up approach we apply to every stock we consider."
The rating comes at a volatile moment for the asset class. The S&P/ASX Small Ordinaries (Total Return) Index returned approximately 25% in calendar year 2025 before falling around 12% year to date in 2026, more than four times the decline of the broader market. Bell's small-cap team believes the dislocation has left valuations attractive: large-cap earnings growth is tracking near zero this financial year, while consensus forecasts point to robust small-cap earnings growth.
About the Fund
The Bell Australian Small Companies Fund invests in a portfolio of quality listed Australian smaller companies, with the objective of outperforming the S&P/ASX Small Ordinaries Accumulation Index over the medium to long term, after fees and expenses. The Fund is available to investors with a minimum initial investment of $20,000.
About Bell Asset Management
Bell Asset Management is a specialist multi-investment team manager, bringing together dedicated expert teams across global and Australian equities. Since 2000, our investment teams have navigated all market cycles guided by a single conviction: that high-quality small and mid-cap companies have the potential to generate strong long-term returns. In 2026, we expanded our capabilities with the launch of a dedicated Australian Small Companies team — experienced Portfolio Managers focused on uncovering quality growth in Australia’s small-cap universe. Each team operates with focus and independence, supported by Bell's institutional-grade platform across distribution, operations, and compliance.
Important information
Issued by Bell Asset Management Limited (ABN 84 092 278 647, AFSL 231091).The Trust Company (RE Services) Limited (ABN 45 003 278, 831 AFSL 235150 is the issuer of the product.
For general advice only and does not take account the objectives, financial situation or needs of investors. Read the PDS and Target Market Determination (TMD) (available at www.bellasset.com.au) to see if the product is right for you. All investments contain risk and may lose value.
The Zenith Investment Partners (ABN 27 103 132 672, AFS Licence 226872) ("Zenith") rating (PIM8252AU assigned 16 July 2026) referred to in this piece is limited to "General Advice" (s766B Corporations Act 2001) for Wholesale clients only. This advice has been prepared without taking into account the objectives, financial situation or needs of any individual, including target markets of financial products, where applicable, and is subject to change at any time without prior notice. It is not a specific recommendation to purchase,sell or hold the relevant product(s). Investors should seek independent financial advice before making an investment decision and should consider the appropriateness of thisadvice in light of their own objectives, financial situation and needs. Investors should obtain a copy of,andconsider the PDS or offer document before making any decision and refer to the full Zenith Product Assessment available on the Zenith website. Past performance is not an indication of future performance. Zenith usually charges the product issuer, fund manager or related party to conduct Product Assessments. Full details regarding Zenith's methodology, ratings definitions and regulatorycompliance are available on our Product Assessmentsand at Fund Research Regulatory Guidelines.
Bell Australian Small Companies Fund has been awarded a Recommended rating by Zenith Investment Partners, less than a month after the fund's inception.
Zenith's Product Assessment Report cites the Fund's disciplined, research-driven process and the depth of experience of Portfolio Managers Tim Johnston, James Nguyen and Scott Hudson as key factors in the rating.
“Overall, Zenith believes the stock selection process employed by the team is robust and in-depth, providing a strong input into the portfolio construction process." Zenith noted in its assessment.
Michael Lovett, Chief Executive Officer of Bell Asset Management, says the rating reflects the rigour the team has brought to the Australian small-cap market since launch.
"To receive a Recommended rating from a research house of Zenith's standing, this early in the Fund's life, is a strong endorsement of the process and the team behind it. It gives investors an independent view of the depth of work going into this strategy."
Portfolio Manager Tim Johnston says the rating reinforces the team's approach to identifying quality Australian small-cap companies before the broader market prices them in.
"This rating is great a milestone and we remain focussed on the research process that got us here, that is the same disciplined, bottom-up approach we apply to every stock we consider."
The rating comes at a volatile moment for the asset class. The S&P/ASX Small Ordinaries (Total Return) Index returned approximately 25% in calendar year 2025 before falling around 12% year to date in 2026, more than four times the decline of the broader market. Bell's small-cap team believes the dislocation has left valuations attractive: large-cap earnings growth is tracking near zero this financial year, while consensus forecasts point to robust small-cap earnings growth.
About the Fund
The Bell Australian Small Companies Fund invests in a portfolio of quality listed Australian smaller companies, with the objective of outperforming the S&P/ASX Small Ordinaries Accumulation Index over the medium to long term, after fees and expenses. The Fund is available to investors with a minimum initial investment of $20,000.
About Bell Asset Management
Bell Asset Management is a specialist multi-investment team manager, bringing together dedicated expert teams across global and Australian equities. Since 2000, our investment teams have navigated all market cycles guided by a single conviction: that high-quality small and mid-cap companies have the potential to generate strong long-term returns. In 2026, we expanded our capabilities with the launch of a dedicated Australian Small Companies team — experienced Portfolio Managers focused on uncovering quality growth in Australia’s small-cap universe. Each team operates with focus and independence, supported by Bell's institutional-grade platform across distribution, operations, and compliance.
Important information
Issued by Bell Asset Management Limited (ABN 84 092 278 647, AFSL 231091).The Trust Company (RE Services) Limited (ABN 45 003 278, 831 AFSL 235150 is the issuer of the product.
For general advice only and does not take account the objectives, financial situation or needs of investors. Read the PDS and Target Market Determination (TMD) (available at www.bellasset.com.au) to see if the product is right for you. All investments contain risk and may lose value.
The Zenith Investment Partners (ABN 27 103 132 672, AFS Licence 226872) ("Zenith") rating (PIM8252AU assigned 16 July 2026) referred to in this piece is limited to "General Advice" (s766B Corporations Act 2001) for Wholesale clients only. This advice has been prepared without taking into account the objectives, financial situation or needs of any individual, including target markets of financial products, where applicable, and is subject to change at any time without prior notice. It is not a specific recommendation to purchase,sell or hold the relevant product(s). Investors should seek independent financial advice before making an investment decision and should consider the appropriateness of thisadvice in light of their own objectives, financial situation and needs. Investors should obtain a copy of,andconsider the PDS or offer document before making any decision and refer to the full Zenith Product Assessment available on the Zenith website. Past performance is not an indication of future performance. Zenith usually charges the product issuer, fund manager or related party to conduct Product Assessments. Full details regarding Zenith's methodology, ratings definitions and regulatorycompliance are available on our Product Assessmentsand at Fund Research Regulatory Guidelines.
