Carillon Tower Advisers, an investment management company, released its first-quarter 2026 investor letter for the “Carillon Eagle Small Cap Growth Fund”. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. Small-cap stocks delivered mixed results in the quarter as the market favored value stocks over growth. The Russell 2000 Growth Index fell 2.82% in the quarter, while the Russell 2000® Value Index increased 4.96%. The first quarter saw equity market volatility due to Iran strikes, boosting energy prices. The firm is optimistic that the turbulence in the market will be short-lived, with improved valuations and potential positive developments from de-escalation in the Middle East. In addition, please check the Fund’s top five holdings to know its best picks in 2026.
In its first-quarter 2026 investor letter, Carillon Eagle Small Cap Growth Fund highlighted stocks like Vital Farms, Inc. (NASDAQ:VITL). Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Vital Farms, Inc. (NASDAQ:VITL) is a branded food company focused on ethically produced pasture-raised eggs and butter. On June 23, 2026, Vital Farms, Inc. (NASDAQ:VITL) closed at $10.68 per share. One-month return of Vital Farms, Inc. (NASDAQ:VITL) was 5.59%, and its shares lost 71.35% over the past 52 weeks. Vital Farms, Inc. (NASDAQ:VITL) has a market capitalization of $457.62 million.
Carillon Eagle Small Cap Growth Fund stated the following regarding Vital Farms, Inc. (NASDAQ:VITL) in its Q1 2026 investor letter:
“Vital Farms, Inc. (NASDAQ:VITL) produces and markets pasture-raised eggs and dairy products sourced from a network of small family farms. The stock came under pressure after the company lowered its revenue guidance. Vital Farms faces a temporary supply glut in the egg market after last year’s avian influenza outbreak quickly subsided. This dynamic, coupled with adverse weath er, reduced its revenue outlook.”
Vital Farms, Inc. (NASDAQ:VITL) is not on our list of 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds Heading Into 2026. According to our database, 33 hedge fund portfolios held Vital Farms, Inc. (NASDAQ:VITL) at the end of the first quarter, compared to 36 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the risk and potential of Vital Farms, Inc. (NASDAQ:VITL) as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than Vital Farms, Inc. (NASDAQ:VITL) and that has 10,000% upside potential, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock.
In another article, we covered Vital Farms, Inc. (NASDAQ:VITL) and shared Osterweis Opportunity Fund’s insights on the stock. In addition, please check out our hedge fund investor letters Q1 2026 page for more investor letters from hedge funds and other leading investors.
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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
