- Business
- Crawford Small Cap Dividend Fund Class C (CDOCX) is an open-end mutual fund that seeks to provide attractive long-term total return with below-market risk as measured by standard deviation in comparison with the Russell 2000 Index; total return comprises both capital appreciation and income through investments primarily in common stocks of small capitalization companies demonstrating a consistent pattern of earnings and dividend growth. The fund targets companies with market capitalizations of $5 billion or less at the time of purchase, employing a bottom-up, value-oriented stock selection process focused on company fundamentals, sound management, strong balance sheets, and dividend sustainability; it maintains a diversified portfolio typically holding around 65 stocks with total net assets of approximately $327 million. Crawford Investment Counsel, Inc., the fund's adviser, is an independent, 100% employee-owned investment management firm founded in 1980 and headquartered at 600 Galleria Parkway, Suite 1650, Atlanta, Georgia; the firm oversees approximately $9.1 billion in assets for institutional, private, and mutual fund clients across the United States.
The fund offers Class C shares with a net expense ratio of 0.99%, a minimum initial investment of $2,500, and daily pricing; it is available for sale in the United States and categorized under the Morningstar Small Blend style. Portfolio managers include John H. Crawford IV, CFA, Managing Director of Equity Investments with over 30 years of experience, and Boris Kuzmin, CFA, Senior Research Analyst, who apply Crawford's proprietary dividend-focused philosophy consistent with the firm's separate account strategies.
Crawford Investment Counsel continues to emphasize disciplined, quality-oriented portfolio adjustments, as evidenced by recent quarterly updates showing strategic buys including A10 Networks (ATEN), Columbia Sportswear (COLM), and DENTSPLY SIRONA (XRAY), alongside sells such as Artisan Partners (APAM) and Woodward (WWD), to enhance dividend growth exposure amid market volatility. The firm marked its 40th year of service in 2020 with sustained high client asset retention and founding relationships intact, reflecting operational stability; no major acquisitions, partnerships, funding rounds, or structural reorganizations for the fund or adviser have been reported in 2024 or 2025. As of September 30, 2025, U.S. stocks comprise 97.91% of assets, with cash at 2.09%, targeting high-net-worth individuals, institutions, and dividend-seeking investors.