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The Lord Abbett Growth Leaders Fund encountered a challenging first quarter in 2026, registering a return of -10.26%. This performance slightly lagged its benchmark, the Russell 1000® Growth Index, which posted a -9.90% return. The primary factors contributing to this disparity were the strategic choices in specific sectors and a broader market environment shaped by both economic fortitude and escalating global uncertainties. The fund’s management emphasizes a methodical approach, focusing on companies with sustainable growth trajectories and robust financial health, while also navigating dynamic market conditions and emerging technological shifts.

Despite the quarter's headwinds, the fund remains committed to its investment philosophy. This involves meticulously selecting firms that exhibit strong competitive advantages, consistent cash flow generation, and high returns on capital. The fund also targets thematic areas poised for future growth, such as artificial intelligence infrastructure and advanced technology sectors. This dual focus on fundamental strength and forward-looking themes is central to its strategy, aiming to deliver long-term value despite short-term market fluctuations and sector-specific challenges.

Q1 2026 Fund Performance and Market Dynamics

In the initial quarter of 2026, the Lord Abbett Growth Leaders Fund reported a return of -10.26%, falling short of its benchmark, the Russell 1000® Growth Index, which recorded a -9.90% return. This underperformance was predominantly influenced by particular stock selections within the Communication Services and Consumer Discretionary sectors. Notably, an overweight position in Reddit, Inc., a social networking platform, and Carvana Co., an online automotive retailer, significantly detracted from the fund's relative performance. The broader market environment during this period was characterized by a delicate equilibrium between enduring economic strength and an increase in geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainties. Technology and software sectors, in particular, faced considerable challenges due to concerns over AI-driven disruption, compounded by intensifying global tensions, which created a complex landscape for investment managers.

The first quarter of 2026 proved to be a demanding period for equity markets, and consequently, for the Lord Abbett Growth Leaders Fund. The fund's return of -10.26% (net of fees for Class I shares with all distributions reinvested) trailed the Russell 1000® Growth Index by 0.36 percentage points. A deep dive into the fund’s performance reveals that stock-specific decisions played a crucial role. In the Communication Services sector, the fund's overweight allocation to Reddit, Inc., which constituted 1.5% of the portfolio, negatively impacted results. Similarly, within the Consumer Discretionary sector, the overweight position in Carvana Co., representing 1.8% of the fund, also contributed to the underperformance. These allocations, while made based on thorough research and a belief in their long-term growth potential, did not yield the expected results in the short term. The market was grappling with various pressures, including shifts in investor sentiment regarding technological innovation and the escalating complexity of the global political and economic landscape. These factors collectively exerted downward pressure on specific growth-oriented stocks, affecting the fund’s relative standing against its benchmark.

Strategic Portfolio Management and Future Outlook

To navigate the volatile market conditions of Q1 2026 and future uncertainties, the Lord Abbett Growth Leaders Fund maintains a rigorous portfolio construction strategy. The fund prioritizes investments in companies that demonstrate sustained secular growth, possess strong competitive advantages, generate robust cash flows, and achieve high returns on capital. Furthermore, a critical component of this strategy involves identifying firms led by adaptive and risk-aware management teams capable of guiding their organizations through periods of economic and market instability. This selective approach aims to build a resilient portfolio that can withstand market fluctuations while capturing long-term growth opportunities. The fund also strategically seeks out thematic investments, focusing on areas with high disruptive potential and significant market expansion.

Looking ahead, the fund’s investment team is actively targeting thematic areas anticipated to drive future outperformance. These include cutting-edge innovations in Generative Artificial Intelligence, particularly within the semiconductor industry, and industrial companies that form the foundational infrastructure for AI development. Additionally, the fund is exploring opportunities in defense and space technology, recognizing the strategic importance and growth potential of these sectors. Select segments within Communication Services, Consumer, and Health Care are also under consideration, chosen for their promising growth trajectories and alignment with long-term macroeconomic trends. This forward-looking approach is underpinned by a commitment to fundamental analysis, ensuring that each investment meets stringent criteria for growth potential, financial health, and management quality. The overarching goal is to balance exposure to high-growth areas with prudent risk management, positioning the fund for sustained capital appreciation in a dynamic global economy. By concentrating on these areas, the fund aims to capitalize on transformative shifts and achieve superior returns for its investors over the long term.