Affinity Investment Advisors Named to PSN Top Guns List of Best Performing Strategies for Q1 2026, starting strong.
- affinity
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Media Contact: Gregory Lai, CFA
Affinity Investment Advisors, LLC
(949) 251-2358
Affinity Named to PSN Top Guns List of Best Performing Strategies for Q1 2026 Quarterly PSN Top Guns List published by Zephyr identifies best-in-class separate accounts, managed accounts, and managed ETF strategies.
Newport Beach, CA —May 19, 2026— Affinity announced today it has been named to the celebrated PSN Top Guns List of best performing separate accounts, managed accounts, and managed ETF strategies for Q1 2026. The highly anticipated list, published by Zephyr, remains one of the most important references for investors and asset managers.
"Q1 2026 presented a dynamic market environment characterized by early uncertainty that intensified with geopolitical developments in late February, including military action in Iran, creating both challenges and opportunities for skilled active managers," says PSN Product Manager Nick Williams. "PSN Top Guns managers excelled by navigating the quarter's evolving landscape—from initial market hesitancy through the geopolitical shock and its ripple effects on energy markets—while positioning strategically amid persistent inflation concerns and shifting Fed expectations. Their ability to adapt quickly across asset classes while maintaining discipline throughout this volatile period demonstrates the distinct value of active management in SMAs. As markets transitioned from uncertainty to managing geopolitical risks and sticky inflation, these managers proved their worth by preserving capital during turbulent periods and strategically identifying opportunities as conditions evolved, delivering value when it mattered most."
Affinity’s has 30+ years managing systematic portfolios that represent strong fundamentals with rising expectations.
“It’s always nice to start any year strong and we are honored to be again a PSN Top Gun and it’s a testament to our process and experience. We are excited about the breadth of performance across all our strategies, proving that fundamentals matter, even during this AI revolution. The broad nature of these awards highlights our 30+ years in the business, and we can't be prouder of our team. Today's market is again rewarding commitment to process, we will stay humble, despite this success”. – Greg Lai, CEO & Lead Portfolio Manager.
Through a combination PSN’s proprietary performance screens, the PSN Top Guns awards products in six proprietary categories in over 75 universes based on continued performance over time.
Affinity’s Core, Growth, Value, Mega, Midcap and International strategies all earned a number of PSN Top Guns awards, meaning our
Core Equity NW Bull/Bear Large Core Equity Universe
Growth Equity Bull/Bear Large Growth Universe
Growth Equity 1 Year Large Growth Universe
Growth Equity 4 Stars Large Growth Universe
Growth Equity 5 Stars Large Growth Universe
Growth Equity 6 Stars Large Growth Universe
Growth Equity 5 Stars US Growth Universe
Growth Equity 6 Stars US Growth Universe
Value Equity NW 4 Stars Large Value Universe
Value Equity NW 4 Stars US Value Universe
Mega Cap Wrap 1 Year MA Large Cap Equity Universe
Mega Cap Equity 1 Year Mega Cap Universe
Mid Cap Equity Bull/Bear Mid Cap Universe
Mid Cap Equity 4 Stars Mid Cap Universe
Mid Cap Equity Bull/Bear Mid Core Equity Universe
Mid Cap Equity 1 QTR Mid Core Equity Universe
Mid Cap Equity 1 Year Mid Core Equity Universe
Mid Cap Equity 3 Year Mid Core Equity Universe
Mid Cap Equity 4 Stars Mid Core Equity Universe
Small Cap Bull/Bear Small Cap Core Equity Universe
Small Cap 5 Stars Small Cap Core Equity Universe
Affinity Intl 1 QTR EAFE Universe
Affinity Intl 4 Stars EAFE Universe
[see below for award info and methodology]
[1-Quarter Category:] had one of the top ten returns for the quarter in their respective strategy.
[1-Year Category:] had one of the top ten returns for the one-year period in their respective strategy.
[3- Year Category:] had one of the top ten returns for the three-year period in their respective strategy.
[4-Star Category:] had an r-squared of 0.80 or greater relative to the style benchmark for the recent five-year period. Moreover, the strategy’s returns exceeded the style benchmark for the three latest three-year rolling periods. The top ten returns for the latest three-year period then become the 4 Star Top Guns.
[5-Star Category:] had an r-squared of 0.80 or greater relative to the style benchmark for the recent five-year period. Moreover, the strategy’s returns exceeded the style benchmark for the three latest three-year rolling periods. Products are then selected which have a standard deviation for the five-year period equal or less than the median standard deviation for the peer group. The top ten returns for the latest three-year period then become the 5 Star Top Guns.
[6-Star Category:] had an r-squared of 0.80 or greater relative to the style benchmark for the recent five-year period. Moreover, the strategy’s returns exceeded the style benchmark for the three latest three-year rolling periods. Products are then selected which have a standard deviation for the five-year period equal or less than the median standard deviation for the peer group. The top ten information ratios for the latest five-year period then become the 6 Star Top Guns.
[Manager of the Decade:] had an r-squared of 0.80 or greater relative to the style benchmark for the latest 10-year period. Moreover, the strategy’s returns were greater than the style benchmark for the latest 10-year period and also standard deviation less than the style benchmark for the latest ten-year period. At this point, the top ten performers for the latest 10-year period become the PSN Top Guns Manager of the Decade.
[Bull & Bear Masters:] had an r-squared of 0.80 or greater relative to the style benchmark for a three-year period. Moreover, the strategy had an upside market capture over 100 and a downside market capture less than 100 relative to the style benchmark. The top ten ratios of Upside Capture Ratio over Downside Capture Ratio become the PSN Bull & Bear Masters.
The complete list of PSN Top Guns and an overview of the methodology can be located at https://psn.fi.informais.com/PSNTopGuns/topguns_zephyr.asp
About Affinity Investment Advisors, LLC
Founded in 1992, Affinity Investment Advisors, LLC is an independently owned, registered investment advisor based in Newport Beach, California. Affinity utilizes a time-tested investment approach which is repeatable and scalable. Since our founding, our focus has been exclusively on the publicly traded equity markets. We have consistently applied our systematic process to a variety of equity strategies.
For more than four decades, PSN has been a top resource for investment professionals. Asset managers rely on Zephyr’s PSN to effectively reach institutional and retail investors. Over 2,800 firms, 285 universes, and more than 21,000 products comprise the PSN SMA database showing asset breakdowns, compliance, key personnel, ownership diversity, ESG, business objectives and strategy, style, fees, GIC sectors, fixed income ranges and full holdings. Unique to PSN is its robust historical database of over 40 Years of Data Including Net and Gross-of-Fee Returns. Zephyr’s PSN produces the PSN Outlook eBook series provides insight and trends about the SMA industry. You can view them online here.
Visit PSN online to learn more.
**On May 19, 2026, Affinity was the PSN Top Guns status within Zephyr's PSN manager database for 1Q 2026. PSN Top Guns performance rankings are tabulated for thousands of strategies across 75 peer groups subdivided by increasingly rigorous screens and reported in ascending classes from 1-6 stars. Bull & Bear rankings highlight strategies that perform well in both up and down markets. Distinct rankings are created for Separate Accounts, Managed Accounts and Managed ETF products. The PSN top gun awards received in April, August and November for 2025, as in previous years, was tabulated by Zephyr. Affinity did not pay to be a part of the ranking, but did pay a fee to purchase a copy of the ranking to be used herein.
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