YCharts, a leading investment research and client engagement platform trusted by thousands of financial professionals across North America, has released its highly anticipated PSN Top Guns List for Q2 2026. The list is an important reference for plan sponsors, investors and asset managers, showcasing the best performing separate accounts, managed accounts and managed ETF strategies each quarter.

“On behalf of YCharts, I want to extend my congratulations to this quarter’s PSN Top Guns winners for their outstanding performance during a particularly challenging period for investment managers,” says President and CEO of YCharts, Sean Brown.

“The second quarter tested even seasoned professionals, as markets shifted from early optimism to a more challenging environment that caught many portfolios off guard. What distinguishes these winners is their disciplined approach and ability to navigate uncertainty with conviction. They positioned portfolios with precision and delivered standout results when it counted most.”

“As we look ahead, we’re more excited than ever about the future of the SMA space. Our PSN Top Guns winners are leading the way in demonstrating what’s possible when skill meets the right investment vehicle. We’re committed to supporting this growth and helping investors and advisors connect with the exceptional talent that can deliver meaningful outcomes for their clients.”

YCharts’ PSN SMA database includes over 2,800 firms, 285 universes, and more than 21,000 products, detailing asset breakdowns, compliance, key personnel and more. PSN’s unique feature is its extensive historical database, offering more than 40 years of data, including net and gross-of-fee returns.

Balanced and Growth Allocation strategies gained roughly 6.0% to 8.0% for the quarter, tracking the broader equity-and-bond recovery as investors navigated the transition from geopolitical relief to renewed monetary policy uncertainty.

The following strategies made the PSN Top Guns list for the Small-Mid Growth Universe:

• Merlin Asset Management, Merlin SMID25: 122.0% (1-year), 89.1 points ahead of the Russell 2500 Growth benchmark
• Merlin Asset Management, Merlin SMID50: 114.5% (1-year), 81.6 points ahead of benchmark
• Hood River, Smid: 73.7% (1-year), 40.8 points ahead of benchmark, backed by $1.09 billion in net inflows this quarter alone

The following strategies made the PSN Top Guns list for the High Yield Universe: 

• FIAM, HY Opportunistic: 14.9% (1-year), 9.2 points ahead of benchmark
• MacKay Shields, Muni High Yield: 10.3% (1-year), 4.6 points ahead of benchmark
• Concise Capital, Long Only Comp: 10.2% (1-year), 4.5 points ahead of benchmark

The following strategies made the PSN Top Guns list for the High Yield Universe: Emerging Markets Universe: 

• BlackRock, Taiwan Eq Growth: 141.7% (1-year), 97.5 points ahead of benchmark
• William Blair, EMxChina Growth: 79.1% (1-year), 34.9 points ahead of benchmark
• Ariel Investments, Ariel EMVxC: 75.6% (1-year), 31.4 points ahead of benchmark

Read the Q2 2026 PSN Top Guns Commentary here. View all Q2 PSN Top Guns winners here.

To enhance PSN contributors’ reach even further, YCharts offers a robust Promotional and Market Intelligence package program, the PSN Manager Advantage. The promotional package offers digital coverage and brand publicity, featuring ongoing marketing and a dedicated landing page to educate investors about individual SMAs. The Market Intelligence Package provides actionable market insights from the PSN Database, enhancing exposure and branding. Visit here to learn more.