Nomura Smid Cap Core Fund seeks superior risk-adjusted returns by exploiting mispricings in the under-researched US small- and mid-cap universe. A seasoned team combines rigorous fundamental research with proprietary quantitative modeling and disciplined risk controls to deliver consistent, style-pure alpha.
Proficient team
Stocks are analyzed and selected by highly experienced sector specialists, averaging 25+ years of industry experience
Consistent core style
Seeks to uncover the best opportunities from deep-value to high-growth while ensuring portfolio aligns with the benchmark
Risk controlled
Benchmark-aware portfolio construction seeks to mitigate sector and factor risks to ensure alpha is driven by stock selection
We believe markets frequently misprice securities – especially small- and mid-caps. Investment opportunities may arise when markets over- or underreact to new developments: earnings reports, macroeconomic shifts, regulatory changes, M&A activity, competitive dynamics, product innovation, and secular trends.
Exploiting these inefficiencies through the integration of deep fundamental research, proprietary quantitative modeling, and a disciplined portfolio construction process aims to generate consistent long-term returns.
A proprietary quantitative model ranks every stock daily, delivering an objective, real-time view of the most compelling opportunities across the entire small- and mid-cap universe.
Sector-specific fundamental research evaluates competitive positioning, financials, valuation, management quality, catalysts, and key risks to build high-conviction ideas.
Benchmark-aware portfolio construction actively manages sector, factor, and market capitalization exposures, ensuring alpha is driven by stock selection.
Russell 2500TM Index
Russell 2000® Index
Morningstar Small Blend Category
Lipper Small-Cap Core Funds Average
The performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted.
Total returns may reflect waivers and/or expense reimbursements by the manager and/or distributor (as applicable) for some or all of the periods shown. Performance would have been lower without such waivers and reimbursements.
Returns for less than one year are not annualized.
Index performance returns do not reflect any management fees, transaction costs, or expenses. Indices are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index.
Performance at NAV assumes that no front-end sales charge applied or the investment was not redeemed. Performance at offer assumes that a front-end sales charge applied to the extent applicable.
Performance at NAV assumes that no contingent deferred sales charge applied or the investment was not redeemed. Performance at max offer price assumes that a contingent deferred sales charge applied to the extent applicable.
Class C shares redeemed within one year of purchase are subject to a 1.00% contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC). Class C shares are eligible to automatically convert to Class A shares with a lower 12b-1 fee approximately eight years after you buy Class C shares.
Class A shares have a maximum up-front sales charge of 5.75%.
as of 2026-09-30
Search by product type, name, and share class. You can set a specific date range to display either prices or distributions.
We'll provide the depth of experience and resources needed to help address the changing dynamics of today's markets. From ETFs, SMAs, and mutual funds to private markets, our team can help you identify investment solutions aligned to your clients' financial needs.
Risk Disclosures
Effective June 1, 2026, the Fund will no longer be available for purchase by investors, except for:
On May 20, 2026, the Board of Trustees of Delaware Group Government Funds approved the conversion of Nomura Smid Cap Core Fund to Nomura Small Cap Mid Cap ETF, a newly created exchange-traded fund, through a shell fund reorganization (Reorganization). It is currently expected that the Reorganization will be completed on or about November 6, 2026. The Fund is closed to new investors as of June 1, 2026.
Carefully consider the Fund's investment objectives, risk factors, charges, and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Fund's prospectus and its summary prospectus, which may be obtained by visiting nomuraassetmanagement.com/literature or calling 800 523-1918 (for individual investors) or 877 693-3546 (for financial professionals). Investors should read the prospectus and the summary prospectus carefully before investing.
Employees of the Manager's affiliates outside the US participate in the management of certain Funds as “associated persons” of DMC under DMC's oversight, in accordance with SEC guidance as to “participating affiliate” arrangements. These associated persons may, on behalf of DMC, provide discretionary investment management services, trading, research and related services directly or indirectly to the Funds.
Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal.
A fund or strategy that holds a limited number of securities may be more sensitive to the price fluctuations of a single security in its portfolio and may be more volatile than a fund or strategy that holds a greater number of securities.
Investments in small and/or mid-cap companies may be more volatile than those of larger companies.
Not FDIC Insured • No Bank Guarantee • May Lose Value
Nothing presented should be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell any security or follow any investment technique or strategy.
All third-party marks cited are the property of their respective owners.
© 2026 Nomura Asset Management International Inc.
Nomura Asset Management, unless otherwise stated, refers to the Nomura Asset Management International business. Nomura Asset Management is part of the Investment Management Division of the Nomura Group, providing integrated public and private market asset management services across equities, fixed income, private credit and multi-asset solutions to intermediary and institutional clients. Nomura Asset Management primarily operates through several distinct investment managers, which includes Nomura Investment Management Business Trust (NIMBT), a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) registered investment adviser. Investment advisory services are provided to the Nomura Funds by Delaware Management Company, a series of NIMBT. The Nomura Funds mutual funds are distributed by Delaware Distributors, L.P., a registered broker/dealer and member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and an affiliate of NIMBT. The Nomura Funds exchange-traded funds are distributed by Foreside Financial Services, LLC. Foreside Financial Services, LLC is not affiliated with any Nomura entity, including Delaware Management Company and Delaware Distributors, L.P.
You can check the background of your investment professional on FINRA's BrokerCheck.
Investing involves risk including the possible loss of principal. The investment capabilities described in this website involve risks due, among other things, to the nature of the underlying investments. All examples herein are for illustrative purposes only and there can be no assurance that any particular investment objective will be realized or any investment strategy seeking to achieve such objective will be successful. Past performance is not a reliable indication of future performance.
Before acting on any information, you should consider the appropriateness of it having regard to your particular objectives, financial situation and needs and seek advice.
This information is a general description of Nomura Asset Management only. The views expressed on this website represent those of the relevant investment team and are subject to change. No information set out above constitutes advice, an advertisement, an invitation, a confirmation, an offer or a solicitation, to buy or sell any security or other financial product or to engage in any investment activity, or an offer of any banking or financial service. Some products and/or services mentioned on this website may not be suitable for you and may not be available in all jurisdictions.