Make these 9 investments now to capitalize on volatility and investor fears, according to a manager behind a top-7% fund in the last 15 years

Smaller companies are an afterthought for many investors. And while 28-year market veteran Brendan Hartman can understand why, he thinks the case against the group is seriously flawed.

The co-manager of the Royce Small-Cap Opportunity Fund (RYPNX) has found success targeting the often-overlooked group. The fund, which Hartman has been managing since April 2021, has posted a strong 10.1% return over the last 15 years, which puts it in the top 7% of its category, according to Morningstar. It has also crushed its index in 2023.