Niznik upbeat about mid and small caps

Mark Niznik, manager of Standard Life Investments' newly-launched UK Opportunities Fund, is now more positive on the prospects of mid and small cap companies than he has been at any time in the past decade. This optimism is based on what he sees as compelling valuations and the high level of director dealings. Niznik, who worked at Perpetual until April 2002, focuses on companies with strong business franchises that are undervalued by the market. A confirmed stockpicker, who estimates he had 500 company management meetings in 2002 alone, Niznik does not run his portfolios along sectora...