Investment objective & strategy
As of April 25, 2025 · prospectusObjective. The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.
Strategy. Below is a summary of the principal investment strategies of the Fund. The Fund will, under normal circumstances, invest at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of small capitalization (small cap) companies. For purposes of the 80% policy, the Fund considers small cap companies to be those whose market capitalization falls within the range of the Russell 2000 Index at the time of initial purchase. As of December 31, 2024, the market capitalizations of the companies in the Russell 2000 Index ranged from $6.1 million to $14.8 billion. If the market capitalization of a company held by the Fund moves outside this range, the Fund may, but is … Below is a summary of the principal investment strategies of the Fund. The Fund will, under normal circumstances, invest at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of small capitalization (small cap) companies. For purposes of the 80% policy, the Fund considers small cap companies to be those whose market capitalization falls within the range of the Russell 2000 Index at the time of initial purchase. As of December 31, 2024, the market capitalizations of the companies in the Russell 2000 Index ranged from $6.1 million to $14.8 billion. If the market capitalization of a company held by the Fund moves outside this range, the Fund may, but is not required to, sell the securities. The Fund emphasizes a growth style of investing, seeking companies whose potential to provide superior earnings growth appears to be greater than the market in general and whose revenue growth is expected to continue for an extended period of time. The Fund may focus its investments in certain sectors, such as the consumer staples sector. The Fund may invest in securities of foreign companies, including those in emerging markets, and depositary receipts. The Fund may also invest in micro-capitalization (micro cap) companies. Empower Capital Management, LLC (ECM) is the Funds investment adviser and, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors of Empower Funds (the Board), selects the Funds sub-advisers and monitors their performance on an ongoing basis. The Funds investment portfolio is managed by two sub-advisers: Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC (Lord Abbett) and Peregrine Capital Management, LLC (Peregrine) (each, a Sub-Adviser, and collectively, the Sub-Advisers). Lord Abbett uses fundamental analysis to look for micro cap companies that appear to have the potential for more rapid growth than the overall economy. Peregrine conducts rigorous research to identify companies where the prospects for rapid earnings growth or significant change have yet to be well understood and are therefore not reflected in the current stock price. ECM maintains a strategic allocation of the Funds assets with each Sub-Adviser and reviews the asset allocations on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as deemed necessary. As of the date of this Prospectus, the target percentage is a 15% allocation of the Funds assets to Lord Abbett and an 85% allocation of the Funds assets to Peregrine. Actual allocations may vary from the target allocations and ECM may change the asset allocations at any time without shareholder notice or approval.
Top holdings
As of March 31, 2026 · N-PORT| Security | Ticker | Value | % of fund |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dreyfus Instl Resv PFD GOVT INSTL | DSVXX | $12.01M | 5.27% |
| TECHNIPFMC PLC | — | $3.47M | 1.52% |
| ADV ENERGY INDS | — | $3.35M | 1.47% |
| ELEMENT SOLUTIONS INC | — | $3.07M | 1.35% |
| SPX TECHNOLOGIES INC | — | $3.07M | 1.35% |
| LEGENCE CORP-A | — | $2.94M | 1.29% |
| ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC | — | $2.80M | 1.23% |
| COGENT BIOSCIENCES INC | — | $2.77M | 1.21% |
| MODINE MFG CO | — | $2.73M | 1.19% |
| JFROG LTD | — | $2.63M | 1.15% |
Portfolio moves
Dec 31, 2025 → Mar 31, 2026How many positions this fund opened, exited, grew, trimmed, or left unchanged between its two most recent N-PORT snapshots — net changes between point-in-time reports, not a trade log.
Similar funds
Funds whose portfolios most overlap this one, by weight| Fund | Overlap | Net exp. |
|---|---|---|
| Allspring Small Company Growth Fund · WFSAX, WSMCX, NVSCX, WSCGX, WSCRX | 65% | 0.86% |
| Optimum Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund · OASGX, OCSGX, OISGX | 48% | 1.19% |
| Small Company Growth Portfolio · DTSGX, WSMGX | 28% | 1.10% |
Advisers
| Firm | Role |
|---|---|
| Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC | Sub-adviser |
| Peregrine Capital Management, LLC | Sub-adviser |
| Empower Capital Management, LLC | Adviser |
Footnotes
- Expense ratio as of April 25, 2025, from the fund's prospectus.
- Net assets and holdings count as of March 31, 2026, from the fund's N-PORT filing.
- Total return for calendar year 2025, before tax and after fund expenses. Computed by compounding the twelve monthly total returns the fund reported in its SEC N-PORT filings for 2025 (the latest prospectus does not yet chart this year).
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