Brandes International Small Cap Equity Fund

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing in equity securities of non-U.S. issuers the Fund’s investment team believes are undervalued relative to their financial strength and upside potential.

How to Invest Fact Sheet Quarterly Commentary
  • Ticker Symbol BISAX
  • Cusip 238210793
  • Fund Inception Date August 19, 1996
  • Dividend Frequency Quarterly
  • Number of Holdings 69
  • Total Net Assets $666.6 million (As of Sep 30, 2024)
  • Share Price (USD) 18.67 (As of Dec 20, 2024)

Overview

Why Brandes International Small Cap Equity Fund?

  • Value: The strategy employs our disciplined, bottom-up investing approach to seek non-U.S. small-cap companies trading below our estimates of intrinsic value.
  • Experience: Having managed a dedicated international small cap equity strategy for over 25 years, Brandes is familiar with the intricacies of small-cap equity investing.
  • Flexibility: The strategy invests in small-cap businesses based in various countries, including those not listed in the benchmark, such as emerging markets.

Small-Cap Investment Committee

  • Bryan Barrett Photo

    Bryan Barrett, CFA

    • Director, Investments Group
    Years with Brandes: 16 Years of Industry Experience: 16

    Bryan Barrett is a Director, Investments Group and a Senior Analyst on the Industrials and Financial Institutions Research Teams. He covers companies in the global capital goods and commercial services industries, as well as global banks, insurance, holding companies and capital-market firms. Mr. Barrett is a member of the Small-Cap Investment Committee and Corporate Governance and Proxy Voting Committee. Additionally, he is an Advisory Board Member of The Brandes Center at the Rady School of Management, UC San Diego. He is a limited partner of the firm’s parent company.

    Prior to his current role, Mr. Barrett was part of the firm’s Research Associate program. He earned a BA in philosophy (with honors) and a BA in economics from the University of Southern California. His relevant experience began in 2008, when he joined Brandes Investment Partners.

  • Yingbin Chen Photo

    Yingbin Chen, CFA

    • Director, Investments Group
    Years with Brandes: 23 Years of Industry Experience: 23

    Yingbin Chen is a Director, Investments Group and a Senior Analyst on the Technology Research Team. She is a member of the Small-Cap Investment Committee and the All-Cap Investment Committee. Ms. Chen is a limited partner of the firm’s parent company. Before joining Brandes, she was a Technology Officer with a major U.S. money center bank and a Technology Consultant with a major U.S. technology company. Ms. Chen earned her International MBA with high honors from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and her MS in electrical engineering from Johns Hopkins University. Her relevant experience began in 2001 when she joined Brandes Investment Partners.

  • Mark Costa Photo

    Mark Costa, CFA

    • Director, Investments Group
    Years with Brandes: 24 Years of Industry Experience: 24

    Mark Costa is a Director, Investments Group and a Senior Analyst on the Industrials Team, covering aerospace and defense, industrial conglomerates and industrial machinery/engineering. He is a member of the Small- Cap Investment Committee, where he also serves as a Product Coordinator. Mr. Costa is a limited partner of the firm’s parent company. He holds a BS in finance with distinction from San Diego State University. Mr. Costa joined Brandes Investment Partners in 2000.

  • Luiz Sauerbronn Photo

    Luiz G. Sauerbronn

    • Director, Investments Group
    Years with Brandes: 23 Years of Industry Experience: 29

    Luiz Sauerbronn is a Director, Investments Group, a Senior Analyst on the Industrials Research Team and a member of the International Large-Cap and Small-Cap Investment Committees. Additionally, he is a member of the Corporate Governance and Proxy Voting Committee and a limited partner of the firm’s parent company.

    Before joining the firm, Mr. Sauerbronn was a Summer Associate with J.P. Morgan and Manager of the Mergers and Acquisitions Advisory Team of Brazil-based Banco Brascan (part of Brookfield Asset Management). He also worked with Royal Dutch Shell. Mr. Sauerbronn earned his BS in economics from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and his MBA from the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley. His relevant experience began in 1995 and he joined Brandes Investment Partners in 2001.

Performance

Average Annual Total Returns (%)

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Data displayed as of Nov 30, 2024

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Source: Brandes, MSCI, S&P. Performance data quoted represents past performance; past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance of the fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling 800.395.3807. Performance would have been lower without limitations in effect. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
*Indicates performance of the S&P Developed Ex U.S. SmallCap Index, the fund’s previous benchmark, and the S&P Developed Ex U.S. SmallCap Value Index, from inception through 5/31/2007, and the performance of MSCI ACWI ex USA Small Cap and MSCI ACWI ex USA Small Cap Value from 6/01/2007 to present. Effective January 28, 2024, the benchmark for the Predecessor Fund changed from the S&P Developed ex-U.S. Small Cap (Net Dividends) Index to the MSCI ACWI ex USA Small Cap Index to better align the Predecessor Fund’s benchmark with the Fund’s current portfolio objectives and composition. 
Performance data shown with load; reflects the Class A maximum sales charge of 5.75%. Performance shown without load does not reflect the deduction of the sales load. If reflected, the load would reduce the performance quoted.
Prior to February 1, 2012, the Fund was a private investment fund managed by the Advisor with policies, guidelines and restrictions that were, in all material respects, equivalent to those of the Fund. Class A and Class I shares were first offered on February 1, 2012, while Class C shares were first offered on January 31, 2013. Prior to January 31, 2013, Class A shares were known as Class S shares. (Class A shares have the same operating expenses as Class S shares.) The Class I performance information shown for periods before February 1, 2012 is that of the private investment fund managed by the Advisor that is the predecessor of the Fund, not restated to reflect Fund expenses. Performance shown prior to February 1, 2012 for the Class A shares reflects the performance of the private investment fund shares restated to reflect Class A sales loads and expenses. Performance shown prior to the inception of Class C shares reflects the performance of the private investment fund for periods prior to February 1, 2012 and the performance of Class I shares for the period from February 1, 2012 to January 30, 2013, restated to reflect Class C expenses. The Class C shares’ average annual total return for the 10-year period assumes that Class C shares automatically converted to Class A shares 8 years after the start of the period. The Class C shares’ average annual total return for the since inception period cannot be calculated as the Class A shares had not been launched as of 8/19/2004, 8 years after the inception date of the Brandes International Small Cap Equity Fund. Class R6 shares were first offered on June 27, 2016. Performance shown prior to the inception of Class R6 shares reflects the performance of Class I shares restated to reflect Class R6 expenses.

Expenses

Expenses Class A
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses †
Expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment.
1.37%
Less: Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement 0.00%
Net Expense Ratio 1.37%
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Morningstar Rating

BISAX as of Sep 30, 2024

Overall
Total # of Funds 47 Foreign Small/Mid Value
















The Overall Morningstar Rating is derived from a weighted average of the fund's three-, five- and ten-year (if applicable) Morningstar Ratings metrics which are based on risk-adjusted return performance.

Portfolio

Data displayed as of Sep 30, 2024

Characteristics

Characteristic Brandes International Small Cap Equity Fund MSCI ACWI ex USA Small Cap Index*
Price/Book (x)
Price per share divided by book value per share.
0.9 1.4
Price/Earnings (x)
Price per share divided by earnings per share.
8.9 18.0
Price/Cash Flow (x)
Price per share divided by cash flow per share.
5.0 9.3
Dividend Yield %
Calculated by annualizing the last quarterly dividend paid and dividing it by the current share price. The dividend yield is that of the securities held in the portfolio; it is not reflective of the yield distributed to shareholders.
3.4 2.7
SEC 30 Day Yield (subsidized) %
As of 11/30/2024 | SEC 30-Day Yield This calculation is based on a 30-day period ending on the last day of the month shown. It is computed by dividing the net investment income per share earned during the period by the maximum offering price per share on the last day of the period. The yield figure reflects the dividends and interest earned during the period, after the deduction of the fund’s expenses. A subsidized yield takes into consideration the expenses paid by the advisor.
1.84 --
SEC 30 Day Yield (unsubsidized) %
As of 11/30/2024 | SEC 30-Day Yield This calculation is based on a 30-day period ending on the last day of the month shown. It is computed by dividing the net investment income per share earned during the period by the maximum offering price per share on the last day of the period. The yield figure reflects the dividends and interest earned during the period, after the deduction of the fund’s expenses. A subsidized yield takes into consideration the expenses paid by the advisor.
1.84 --
Active Share %
A measure of the percentage of stock holdings in a manager’s portfolio that differs from the benchmark index.
98.8 --
Number of Holdings 69 --
Weighted Average Mkt. Cap ($bil)
The average market capitalization of a fund's equity portfolio gives investors a measure of the size of the companies in which the fund invests. Market capitalization is calculated by multiplying the number of a company's shares outstanding by its price per share.
4.2 2.9
Portfolio Turnover (TTM) %
(Trailing Twelve Months)
33.4 --
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Top 10 Holdings (%)

Company % Country Industry
Embraer SA 4.9 Brazil Aerospace & Defense
C&C Group PLC 3.2 Ireland Beverages
S-1 Corp 2.7 South Korea Commercial Services & Supplies
Montana Aerospace AG 2.7 Switzerland Aerospace & Defense
Draegerwerk AG & Co KGaA 2.7 Germany Health Care Equipment & Supplies
Millicom International Cellular SA 2.6 Luxembourg Wireless Telecommunication Services
Linea Directa Aseguradora SA 2.6 Spain Insurance
Grifols SA 2.5 Spain Biotechnology
LISI SA 2.5 France Aerospace & Defense
Nova Ljubljanska Banka dd 2.5 Slovenia Banks
% of Fund 28.9    
Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the investment manager.
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Top 10 Country Allocation (%)

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Sector Allocation (%)

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Regional Allocation (%)

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Market Weightings (%)

Brandes International Small Cap Equity Fund MSCI ACWI ex USA Small Cap Index*
Developed Markets 77.2 69.5
Emerging Markets 21.1 30.5
Swipe to View Market Weightings (%)

Distributions

Type Record Date
Date on which a shareholder must officially own shares in order to be entitled to a dividend. After the date of record, the stock is said to be ex-dividend.
Ex-Date
Date on which a fund begins trading without the benefit of the dividend. Typically, a fund's price moves up by the dollar amount of the dividend as the ex-dividend date approaches, then falls by the amount of the dividend after that date.
Payable Date
Date on which a declared fund dividend or a bond interest payment is scheduled to be paid.
Amount
Income Dividend
Payout to shareholders of interest, dividends, or other income received by the Fund, net of operating expenses. By law, all such income must be distributed to shareholders, who may choose to take the money in cash or reinvest it in more shares of the Fund.
Sep 27, 2024 Sep 30, 2024 Sep 30, 2024 $0.047220
Short-Term Capital Gain
Profit or loss from the sale of a capital asset that was held for one year or less.
Dec 7, 2017 Dec 8, 2017 Dec 8, 2017 $0.063120
Long-Term Capital Gain
Gain on the sale of a security where the holding period was more than 12 months and the profit was subject to the long-term capital gains tax.
Dec 7, 2017 Dec 8, 2017 Dec 8, 2017 $0.412200
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Fees/Expenses

Annual Fund Operating Expenses Class A
Net Expense Ratio 1.37%
Annual Management 0.95%
Other Expenses 0.16%
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses 0.01%
Service 12b-1 0.25%
Shareholder Servicing None
Expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment.
Shareholder Fees Class A
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) 5.75%*
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) None**
Fees paid directly from your investment.
*Please click here for sales load break points.
**Investments of $1 million or more are not subject to a front-end sales charge but generally will be subject to a deferred sales charge of 1.00% on amounts of less than $4 million, 0.50% on amounts of at least $4 million but less than $10 million and 0.25% on amounts of at least $10 million, if redeemed within one year from the date of purchase.

Resources

Fund Report

Brandes Funds Annual Financial Statements and Other Information
Brandes International Small Cap Equity Fund (Class A/BISAX) Annual Report
Brandes Investment Trust Semi-Annual Report

Fact Sheet

Brandes International Small Cap Equity Fund Fact Sheet

Quarterly Commentary

Brandes International Small Cap Equity Fund Quarterly Commentary

Application

IRA Rollover Transfer Form

Prospectus

Brandes Equity Funds Prospectus
Brandes Funds Statement of Additional Information
Brandes International Small Cap Fund Summary Prospectus

Other Resources

Brandes at a Glance
Brandes Dividend Calendar
Brandes International Small Cap Equity Fund Quarterly Portfolio Review
Brandes Mutual Fund Complex at a Glance
Brandes Mutual Funds Capital Gains Distribution Estimates
Daily Prices
Regulatory Literature
Under normal market conditions, the International Small Cap Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) measured at the time of purchase in equity securities issued by small capitalization companies located in at least three countries outside of the United States. The Fund considers a company to be a small capitalization company if it has a market capitalization (market value of publicly traded securities) of $5 billion or less at the time of purchase. Equity securities include common and preferred stocks, warrants and rights. An issuer is determined to be located outside the United States on the basis of the issuer’s domicile, principal place of business, primary stock exchange listing, source of revenue or other factors. Up to 30% of the International Small Cap Fund’s total assets, measured at the time of purchase, may be invested in securities of companies located in countries considered to have emerging securities markets. With respect to 20% of the Fund’s net assets, the Fund may invest in stocks of companies of any capitalization size.

Brandes Investment Partners, L.P., the investment advisor (the “Advisor”), uses the principles of value investing to analyze and select equity securities for the International Small Cap Fund’s investment portfolio. When buying equity securities, the Advisor assesses the estimated “intrinsic” value of a company based on data such as a company’s earnings, cash flow generation, and/or asset value of the underlying business. By choosing securities that are selling at a discount to the Advisor’s estimates of their share of the company’s intrinsic business value, the Advisor seeks to establish an opportunity for long-term capital appreciation. The Advisor may sell a security when its price reaches a target set by the Advisor, the Advisor believes that other investments are more attractive, or for other reasons.
† The Advisor has contractually agreed to limit the International Small Cap Equity Fund’s Class A, Class C, Class I and Class R6 annual operating expenses (exclusive of acquired fund feeds and expenses, taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization or extraordinary expenses such as litigation), including repayment of previous waivers, to 1.40% for Class A, 2.15% for Class C, 1.15% for Class I and 1.00% for Class R6, as percentages of the respective Fund classes’ average daily net assets through July 15, 2026 (the “Expense Caps”). The Expense Caps may be terminated at any time by the Board of Trustees upon 60 days’ written notice to the Advisor. The Advisor is permitted, with Board approval, to be reimbursed for fee reductions and/or expense payments made in the prior 36 months following the waiver or reimbursement with respect to any Class of the Fund. The Advisor may request reimbursement if the aggregate amount paid by the Fund toward operating expenses for the Class for such period (taking into account any reimbursement) does not exceed the lesser of the Expense Cap in effect at the time of waiver or at the time of reimbursement.

Other Expenses for Class I shares includes 0.05% of class-specific sub-transfer agency fees.
Because the values of the Fund's investments will fluctuate with market conditions, so will the value of your investment in the Fund. You could lose money on your investment in the Fund, or the Fund could underperform other investments. The values of the Fund’s investments fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general stock market and economic conditions. In addition, the performance of foreign securities depends on the political and economic environments and other overall economic conditions in the countries where the Fund invests. Emerging country markets involve greater risk and volatility than more developed markets. Some emerging markets countries may have fixed or managed currencies that are not free-floating against the U.S. dollar. Certain of these currencies have experienced, and may experience in the future, substantial fluctuations or a steady devaluation relative to the U.S. dollar. Investments in small and medium capitalization companies tend to have limited liquidity and greater price volatility than large capitalization companies.
The S&P Developed Ex U.S. SmallCap Index with net dividends measures the equity performance of small cap companies in developed markets excluding the United States. The benchmark returns are not covered by the report of independent verifiers.
The S&P Developed Ex U.S. SmallCap Value Index with net dividends measures the equity performance of small cap companies in developed markets excluding the United States, which are classified as value stocks by book value-to-price, sales-to-price, cash flow-to-price, and dividend yield.
The MSCI ACWI ex USA Small Cap Index with net dividends captures small-cap representation across developed and emerging markets excluding the United States. 
The MSCI ACWI ex USA Small Cap Value Index captures small-cap securities across developed and emerging markets excluding the United States, exhibiting overall value style characteristics, defined using book value to price, 12-month forward earnings to price, and dividend yield.
The MSCI information may only be used for your internal use, may not be reproduced or redisseminated in any form and may not be used as a basis for or a component of any financial instruments or products or indices. None of the MSCI information is intended to constitute investment advice or a recommendation to make (or retrain from making) any kind of investment decision and may not be relied on as such. Historical data and analysis should not be taken as an indication or guarantee of any future performance analysis, forecast or prediction. The MSCI information is provided on an “as is” basis and the user of this information assumes the entire risk or any uses made of this information. MSCI, each of its affiliates and each other person involved in or related to compiling, computing or creating any MSCI information (collectively, the “MSCI Parties”) expressly disclaims all warranties (including without limitations, any warranties of originality, accuracy, completeness, timeliness, non-infringement, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose) with respect to this information. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall any MSCI Party have any liability for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, punitive, consequential (including, without limitation, lost profits) or any other damages (www.msci.com)
It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
The Fund's Composition, Holdings and Sector Weightings are subject to change and should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. 
© 2024 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The information contained herein: (1) is proprietary to Morningstar;(2) may not be copied or distributed; and (3) is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. Neither Morningstar nor its content providers are responsible for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information. 
The Morningstar RatingTM for funds, or "star rating", is calculated for managed products (including mutual funds, variable annuity and variable life subaccounts, exchange-traded funds, closed-end funds, and separate accounts) with at least a three-year history. Exchange-traded funds and open-ended mutual funds are considered a single population for comparative purposes. It is calculated based on a Morningstar Risk-Adjusted Return measure that accounts for variation in a managed product's monthly excess performance, placing more emphasis on downward variations and rewarding consistent performance. The top 10% of products in each product category receive 5 stars, the next 22.5% receive 4 stars, the next 35% receive 3 stars, the next 22.5% receive 2 stars, and the bottom 10% receive 1 star. The Overall Morningstar Rating for a managed product is derived from a weighted average of the performance figures associated with its three-, five-, and 10-year (if applicable) Morningstar Rating metrics. The weights are: 100% three-year rating for 36-59 months of total returns, 60% five-year rating/40% three-year rating for 60-119 months of total returns, and 50% 10-year rating/30% five-year rating/20% three-year rating for 120 or more months of total returns. While the 10-year overall star rating formula seems to give the most weight to the 10-year period, the most recent three-year period actually has the greatest impact because it is included in all three rating periods. Ratings for other share classes may differ. For current performance, please view the Performance page of the web site or call 800.395.3807.