Unlocking Value: A Deep Dive into the Touchstone Mid Cap Strategy

Q1 2026 Performance Highlights: Exceeding Expectations

The Touchstone Mid Cap Value Fund, specifically its Class A Shares (Load Waived), demonstrated exceptional performance during the first quarter ending March 31, 2026. The Fund not only met but significantly exceeded its benchmark, the Russell Midcap® Value Index, across all three months of the quarter, with February standing out for its substantial excess returns.

Core Investment Philosophy: Classic Value-Driven Approach

Central to the Fund's strategy is a time-honored, value-driven fundamental investment process. This involves meticulous research and analysis to identify companies whose market valuations are currently below their intrinsic worth, presenting opportunities for future appreciation.

Strategic Valuation Screens: Identifying Undervalued Assets

The Fund employs a rigorous methodology incorporating five distinct valuation screens. These sophisticated tools are designed to pinpoint securities that are attractively priced, ensuring that investments align with the Fund's core objective of acquiring quality assets at a discount.

Factors Influencing Performance: Sector Allocation and Market Dynamics

While the Fund's overall performance was strong, its strategic underweighting in the Energy sector had a modest detracting effect on its relative returns. This indicates the nuanced interplay between sector positioning and broader market trends in shaping investment outcomes.

Commitment to Distinctively Active Management: Touchstone's Unique Edge

Touchstone Investments prides itself on its "Distinctively Active" management approach. This commitment translates into a fully integrated and rigorous process for selecting and partnering with expert asset managers who sub-advise their mutual funds. The emphasis is on robust portfolio construction, utilizing either standalone active strategies or complementing existing passive ones.