The second quarter of 2024 is set to be a mixed bag for investors as market growth expectations on Wall Street contend with the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy indecision. At the beginning of the year there was widespread optimism the Fed would cut rates for the first time since Q1 2020, perhaps as early as March. Stubborn inflation levels, however, slowed some of the hopes for clearing this headwind. Now, the prospect of any cuts taking place in the first half of the year appears to be evaporating. The c ...

Momentum investing revolves around the idea of following a stock's recent trend in either direction. In the 'long' context, investors will be essentially be "buying high, but hoping to sell even higher." With this methodology, taking advantage of trends in a stock's price is key; once a stock establishes a course, it is more than likely to continue moving that way. The goal is that once a stock heads down a fixed path, it will lead to timely and profitable trades.While many investors like to look for moment ...

Group 1: Mid-Cap Stocks Overview - Mid-cap stocks provide a unique blend of growth prospects and stability, particularly when they are profitable [1] - Identifying top mid-cap contenders can be challenging, making diversification essential for investors [1] - With the right approach, mid-cap stocks can yield substantial rewards [1] Group 2: ACM Research (ACMR) - ACM Research is a leading wafer packaging and semiconductor cleaning company based in Fremont, California [2] - The company has experienced significant revenue growth, with a 43% year-over-year increase in FY23, reaching $557.72 million [3] - Net income surged 97% year-over-year to $77.35 million, equating to $1.16 per share, with management projecting up to 30% revenue growth in FY24 [3] Group 3: Qualys (QLYS) - Qualys is a prominent provider of cybersecurity solutions, offering a cloud-based platform for vulnerability remediation [4] - The company reported a 13% year-over-year revenue increase to $554.5 million in FY23, with EPS rising 47% to $4.03 per share [5] - Free cash flow exceeded $200 million, indicating consistent profitable growth [5] Group 4: Sterling Infrastructure (STRL) - Sterling Infrastructure focuses on diverse infrastructure solutions, including transportation and e-infrastructure projects [6][7] - The company achieved an 11% year-over-year revenue increase to $1.97 billion in FY23, with EPS growing 28% to $4.44 per share [7] - Sterling's gross margins expanded by 350 basis points to 18.9%, and it ended the year with a backlog exceeding $2 billion [7]

ACM Research, Inc. (ACMR) has recently been on Zacks.com's list of the most searched stocks. Therefore, you might want to consider some of the key factors that could influence the stock's performance in the near future.Over the past month, shares of this company have returned +10.1%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +1.7% change. During this period, the Zacks Semiconductor Equipment - Material Services industry, which ACM Research falls in, has gained 2.8%. The key question now is: What could be th ...

The Russell 2000, an index tracking the performance of small-to-mid-cap companies, continues to struggle against its peer indices, largely repeating the events of last year. In 2023, The Russell 2000 increased 16.8%, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq indices appreciated 24.2% and 43.4%, respectively. The index had been trailing the S&P 500 and Nasdaq since then. In 2024, the Russell 2000 is up slightly more than 2%, while the S&P500 and Nasdaq are trading upward at 9.1% and 6.9%, respectively.Because of the Russ ...

The rally that catapulted U.S. equities to newer and higher valuations seems to have come to an end. The second quarter of 2024 has seen many stocks slip and lose their once rich valuations. Still, U.S.-listed stocks overall have become expensive, especially when compared to EU-listed stocks and emerging markets-based equities. At some point trading multiples will have to come back down to reality. During this current bout of market volatility, investors should be screening for undervalued stocks. Stocks ar ...

Industry Overview - The semiconductor industry is experiencing a rebound in sales, with global semiconductor sales reaching $46.2 billion in February, a 16.3% increase year over year from $39.7 billion in February 2023 [1] - Despite the year-over-year growth, sales fell 3.1% from January's total of $47.6 billion [1] - Regionally, sales increased by 28.8% in China, 22% in the Americas, and 15.4% in Asia Pacific, while Europe saw a decline of 8.5% [1] - The industry's growth has faced challenges due to rising costs, supply-chain disruptions, and higher interest rates, but demand is rebounding as inflation eases [2] Future Outlook - The ongoing enthusiasm for artificial intelligence (AI), particularly generative AI, is expected to drive semiconductor sales in the near term, with experts believing that AI has significant potential yet to be realized [2] - Gartner forecasts global semiconductor revenues to increase by 16.8% this year, totaling $624 billion [2] Company Highlights - **NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA)**: Expected earnings growth rate of 14.1% for next year, with a 19.5% improvement in the current-year earnings estimate over the last 60 days. NVDA is a leader in visual computing technologies and has shifted focus towards AI-based solutions [3] - **Lam Research Corporation (LRCX)**: Expected earnings growth rate of 19.9% for next year, with a 0.4% improvement in the current-year earnings estimate over the last 60 days. LRCX supplies wafer fabrication equipment and services to semiconductor manufacturers [4] - **Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT)**: Expected earnings growth rate of 15.6% for next year, with a 6.1% improvement in the current-year earnings estimate over the last 60 days. AMAT is a major supplier of equipment for semiconductor fabrication [5] - **Micron Technology, Inc. (MU)**: Expected earnings growth rate of 717.5% for next year, with a 235.6% improvement in the current-year earnings estimate over the last 60 days. MU is a leading provider of semiconductor memory solutions [6] - **ACM Research, Inc. (ACMR)**: Expected earnings growth rate of 38.9% for next year, with a 20.9% improvement in the current-year earnings estimate over the last 60 days. ACMR specializes in single-wafer wet cleaning equipment for semiconductor manufacturing [6]

The technology industry has outpaced nearly another market sector within the last year and has added a tremendous amount of growth to the S&P 500. The Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund is considered a benchmark for the tech industry, which has grown by 37% within the last year. The ever-advancing field of generative AI and other innovative technology, such as cloud computing and increased semiconductor production, has led the technology industry down a path of immense profitability.Here are a few investmen ...

Group 1: ACM Research (ACMR) - ACM Research is strategically investing in expanding its facilities in the U.S., Korea, and China, including a new site in Oregon [2] - The production, research, and development center in Lingang, China, is nearing completion, focusing on enhancing manufacturing capabilities and innovation in semiconductor technology [2] - The company is proactively meeting client demands and expanding service capabilities internationally, evidenced by growth in personnel and facilities in Korea and the U.S. [3] Group 2: SoFi (SOFI) - SoFi achieved a significant milestone with non-lending categories accounting for 40% of adjusted net revenue in Q4 2023, indicating revenue diversification [4] - The combined contribution of the Tech Platform and Financial Services divisions to adjusted net revenue increased to 40% from 34% in Q4 2022, with Financial Services generating over $430 million in sales for the year [5] - Consolidated full-year adjusted net revenue reached $2.1 billion, a 35% increase from the previous fiscal year, highlighting SoFi's ability to monetize products and attract a wider clientele [5] Group 3: Mitek (MITK) - Mitek is positioned in a large market potential due to the convergence of identity and fraud, particularly in regulated sectors like financial services and healthcare [6] - The company experienced a 20% year-over-year increase in revenue from deposits, reflecting growing demand for its products in the banking industry [6] - Mitek's mobile deposit business recorded over 1.2 billion mobile check deposits in fiscal 2023, indicating steady income streams and long-term expansion potential [7]

Core Viewpoint - The small-cap Russell-2000 Index has shown a 5% increase in 2024 and a 21% increase over the past 12 months, indicating a potential catch-up to the broader market rally. This article highlights seven small-cap stocks favored by Wall Street, appealing to growth-oriented investors despite inherent risks associated with small-cap investments [1]. Group 1: Evolv Technologies (EVLV) - Evolv Technologies utilizes AI-based weapons detection technology to enhance safety and ease of movement, with its main product being the Evolv Express system [2]. - The company reported a 46% revenue growth in 2023, added around 300 new customers, and scanned over one billion visitors, resulting in an annual recurring revenue (ARR) of approximately $75 million, a 120% year-over-year increase [2]. - Analysts have set a price target of $7.08 for EVLV, indicating a potential growth of 59.18%, with a Strong Buy rating from all six analysts covering the stock [3]. Group 2: urban-gro (UGRO) - urban-gro is a consulting company focused on designing facilities for healthcare and controlled environment agriculture, including cannabis dispensaries [5]. - The company faced a disappointing earnings report in March, missing both revenue and earnings expectations, leading to a 24% drop in stock price [5]. - Despite this, analysts maintain a favorable outlook with a price target of $4.74 and a Strong Buy rating from all four analysts [6]. Group 3: ACM Research (ACMR) - ACM Research specializes in wafer packaging and cleaning for the semiconductor industry, benefiting from the ongoing chip sector super cycle [7]. - The stock has increased by 466% over the past five years but remains down about 35% from its all-time high in 2021, with a market cap of $1.6 billion [7]. - Analysts forecast a price target of $37.95 for ACMR, suggesting a potential growth of 30%, with a Strong Buy rating from all seven analysts [7]. Group 4: SoundHound AI (SOUN) - SoundHound AI focuses on generative AI solutions aimed at conversational AI, with clients in hospitals, data centers, and the automotive industry [9]. - The stock has risen by 194.5% in the last 12 months, with Nvidia recently investing in the company, indicating strong potential [9]. - Analysts have set a price target of $7.15 for SOUN, representing a 21% gain, with a Strong Buy rating from four out of seven analysts [9]. Group 5: Worthington Steel (WS) - Worthington Steel, a spin-off of Worthington Industries, specializes in processing carbon flat-rolled steel and electrical steel lamination [10]. - The company is positioned to benefit from increased iron ore demand in 2024 and the need for electrical steel in the electric vehicle sector [10]. - Currently, one out of two analysts gives WS a Strong Buy rating, indicating positive sentiment despite limited coverage [10]. Group 6: Structure Therapeutics (GPCR) - Structure Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotech company with its lead candidate GSBR-1290 in Phase 2 trials for diabetes and obesity treatment [11][12]. - The company reported $467 million in cash at the end of 2023, sufficient to fund operations through 2026, aligning with potential commercialization of GSBR-1290 [12]. - Analysts have a price target of $81.17 for GPCR, suggesting an 86% gain, with a Strong Buy rating from all six analysts [12]. Group 7: Ero Copper (ECO) - Ero Copper is a high-margin clean copper producer in Brazil, with plans to double its copper production by 2025 [13]. - Analysts expect copper prices to rise significantly in the next two years as supply-demand dynamics shift [13]. - The consensus rating for ECO stock is Hold, but three out of eleven analysts have a Strong Buy rating [14].