Axsome Therapeutics joins ClearBridge’s top holdings as biotech strength drives Russell 2000 Growth Index gains in Q2 2026.
ClearBridge Investments added Axsome Therapeutics (NASDAQ:AXSM) to its Small Cap Growth Strategy during Q2 2026, citing the biopharmaceutical firm’s potential amid a broader biotech rally. The stock closed at $241.53 on July 23, 2026, valuing the company at $12.43 billion.
The Russell 2000 Growth Index surged 25.6% in Q2, its third-best quarterly performance in 20 years, driven by AI enthusiasm, biotech gains, and high-beta momentum stocks. ClearBridge’s strategy returned over 21% gross but trailed the benchmark due to underweight positions in healthcare and AI-related stocks.
Axsome’s inclusion reflects sector rotation into biotech, though the firm’s performance relative to peers remains a key focus for investors.