Australian mid-caps may sit between the market’s giants and emerging small companies — but Brenton Saunders argues that is exactly where some of the most interesting opportunities can appear.

In this video podcast, Brenton Saunders, portfolio manager of Pendal MidCap Fund, explains how the midcap universe differs from the broader Australian share market, with fewer dominant stocks and a broader spread of sector exposures.

He also discusses the major shifts reshaping the benchmark, from gold and lithium to infrastructure, AI-driven data centre demand and the rise of private superannuation platforms.

While opportunity is broadening, portfolio balance and disciplined stock selection remain critical.

Here is an excerpt from the video podcast:

“There’s a bunch of first order and then second order kind of ways you can do that. In the first order ways are most obviously the companies that are being asked to deploy this capital, namely contractors.

“We’re well represented in the contractor space in midcaps, generally always have been, but if you think about companies like Ventia, Downer, Worley Parsons are in the space, but we’ve had some great new additions more recently.

“Some of the second order ways of doing it is just upstream of that in some of the basic materials, again, that are being used to populate a lot of this infrastructure, and I guess I’m referring more specifically to the data centres.

“Copper plays a big role in that. Lithium will play a big role in storage for those kind of things. So there’s a bunch of first and second order ways to play that.”

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This podcast has been prepared by Pendal Fund Services Limited (PFSL) ABN 13 161 249 332 AFSL 431426.

It is general information only and is not intended to provide you with financial advice or take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider whether the information is suitable for your circumstances and we recommend that you seek professional advice.

The product disclosure statement (PDS) for the Pendal MidCap Fund (Fund), issued by PFSL, should be considered before deciding whether to acquire, dispose, or hold units in the Fund. The PDS and Target Market Determination can be obtained by calling 1300 346 821 or visiting our website www.pendalgroup.com.

References to securities in this podcast are for illustrative purposes only and are not recommendations, and the securities may or may not be currently held by the Fund. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.

This podcast may contain information contributed or prepared by third parties. Any information contributed or prepared by third parties is believed to be accurate as at the time of compilation and is being provided in good faith without independent verification. PFSL does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of any information provided by a third party.

To the extent permitted by law, no liability is accepted for any loss or damage as a result of any reliance on this information. No company in the Perpetual Group (Perpetual Limited ABN 86 000 431 827 and its subsidiaries) guarantees the performance of any fund or the return of an investor’s capital. All investing involves risk including the possible loss of principal.

Australian mid-caps may sit between the market&rsquo;s giants and emerging small companies &mdash; but Brenton Saunders argues that is exactly where some of the most interesting opportunities can appear.
In this video podcast, Brenton Saunders, portfolio manager of Pendal MidCap Fund, explains how the midcap universe differs from the broader Australian share market, with fewer dominant stocks and a broader spread of sector exposures.
He also discusses the major shifts reshaping the benchmark, from gold and lithium to infrastructure, AI-driven data centre demand and the rise of private superannuation platforms.
While opportunity is broadening, portfolio balance and disciplined stock selection remain critical.
Here is an excerpt from the video podcast:
&ldquo;There&rsquo;s a bunch of first order and then second order kind of ways you can do that. In the first order ways are most obviously the companies that are being asked to deploy this capital, namely contractors.
&ldquo;We&rsquo;re well represented in the contractor space in midcaps, generally always have been, but if you think about companies like Ventia, Downer, Worley Parsons are in the space, but we&rsquo;ve had some great new additions more recently.
&ldquo;Some of the second order ways of doing it is just upstream of that in some of the basic materials, again, that are being used to populate a lot of this infrastructure, and I guess I&rsquo;m referring more specifically to the data centres.
&ldquo;Copper plays a big role in that. Lithium will play a big role in storage for those kind of things. So there&rsquo;s a bunch of first and second order ways to play that.&rdquo;
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Learn more about Learn more about <a href="https://pendalgroup.com/australian-equities/pendal-midcap-fund">Pendal MidCap Fund</a>
Learn more about <a href="https://pendalgroup.com/">Pendal</a>
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This podcast has been prepared by Pendal Fund Services Limited (PFSL) ABN 13 161 249 332 AFSL 431426.
It is general information only and is not intended to provide you with financial advice or take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider whether the information is suitable for your circumstances and we recommend that you seek professional advice.
The product disclosure statement (PDS) for the Pendal MidCap Fund (Fund), issued by PFSL, should be considered before deciding whether to acquire, dispose, or hold units in the Fund. The PDS and Target Market Determination can be obtained by calling 1300 346 821 or visiting our website www.pendalgroup.com.
References to securities in this podcast are for illustrative purposes only and are not recommendations, and the securities may or may not be currently held by the Fund. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.
This podcast may contain information contributed or prepared by third parties. Any information contributed or prepared by third parties is believed to be accurate as at the time of compilation and is being provided in good faith without independent verification. PFSL does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of any information provided by a third party.
To the extent permitted by law, no liability is accepted for any loss or damage as a result of any reliance on this information. No company in the Perpetual Group (Perpetual Limited ABN 86 000 431 827 and its subsidiaries) guarantees the performance of any fund or the return of an investor&rsquo;s capital. All investing involves risk including the possible loss of principal.

Perpetual Group is an international asset manager including boutiques such as Perpetual, Pendal, Barrow Hanley, Regnan and Trillium. Each week our portfolio managers share the most interesting things they've heard from CEOs, industry leaders and analysts.

Perpetual Group is an international asset manager including boutiques such as Perpetual, Pendal, Barrow Hanley, Regnan and Trillium. Each week our portfolio managers share the most interesting things they've heard from CEOs, industry leaders and analysts.