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].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the reliability of Wall Street analysts' recommendations, particularly focusing on ACM Research, Inc. (ACMR), and emphasizes the importance of validating these recommendations with other indicators like the Zacks Rank. Group 1: Brokerage Recommendations - ACM Research has an average brokerage recommendation (ABR) of 1.14, indicating a consensus between Strong Buy and Buy, with 85.7% of recommendations being Strong Buy and 14.3% being Buy [1] - Despite the positive ABR, studies suggest that brokerage recommendations often do not effectively guide investors in selecting stocks with the highest price increase potential [2] - Brokerage firms tend to exhibit a strong positive bias in their ratings, with a ratio of five "Strong Buy" recommendations for every "Strong Sell" [2] Group 2: Zacks Rank - The Zacks Rank, a proprietary stock rating tool, classifies stocks from Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank 5 (Strong Sell) and is based on earnings estimate revisions, making it a reliable indicator of near-term price performance [3][4] - Unlike ABR, which is based solely on brokerage recommendations, the Zacks Rank is driven by quantitative models and reflects timely earnings estimate revisions [4][5] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ACM Research has increased by 15.1% over the past month, leading to a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) for the company, indicating strong analyst optimism regarding its earnings prospects [6]

Group 1: Russell 2000 Overview - The Russell 2000 index includes the 2000 smallest companies from the Russell 3000, characterized by small cap stocks that often exhibit higher volatility and growth potential [1] - After a period of underperformance due to economic uncertainty, many stocks in the Russell 2000 are currently trading at a discount, presenting potential investment opportunities as earnings improve and the economy recovers [1] Group 2: ACM Research (ACMR) - ACM Research is a leading company in wafer packaging and cleaning for the semiconductor industry, poised to benefit from increasing AI demand [2] - The company reported a 43% year-over-year revenue increase last year, with expectations for revenue growth from $558 million in 2023 to between $650 million and $725 million in 2024 [2] - The semiconductor market is projected to return to growth at an estimated rate of 16.8% in 2024, which will positively impact ACM Research [2] Group 3: Celsius Holdings (CELH) - Celsius Holdings is an American beverage company specializing in energy drinks, ranking first among 17 stocks in the nonalcoholic beverage sector [3] - The company reported a 95% increase in revenue to $347.4 million in Q4 FY2023, with earnings improving from a loss of $0.12 per share to a profit of $0.17 per share [3] - Celsius has a dominant market share of 19.7% on Amazon in 2023, outpacing competitors like Monster and RedBull, and is expanding into international markets [3] Group 4: Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) - Abercrombie & Fitch operates over 850 stores globally and owns five brands, experiencing a 21% year-over-year sales increase due to higher prices and reduced raw material costs [4] - The company achieved earnings per share of $2.97 in Q4 FY2023, exceeding expectations of $2.83, and reported a remarkable 371% year-over-year growth [5] - Abercrombie & Fitch generated $335 million in profits for 2023, indicating strong profitability and positive shareholder returns [5]

Although it may seem like Artificial Intelligence stocks are all that’s being talked about these days, the hype is indeed real. AI technology will probably be as significant to the stock market and economy as the internet has been, and the market has been telling us this in bold font.Just look at this popular basket of AI-adjacent stocks and see how significant the market outperformance has been in the last seven months. Even the lowest performing stock has nearly doubled the returns of the broad market ove ...

Shares of ACM Research, Inc. (ACMR) have gained 46.7% over the past four weeks to close the last trading session at $30.19, but there could still be a solid upside left in the stock if short-term price targets of Wall Street analysts are any indication. Going by the price targets, the mean estimate of $37.81 indicates a potential upside of 25.2%.The mean estimate comprises seven short-term price targets with a standard deviation of $2.37. While the lowest estimate of $34 indicates a 12.6% increase from the ...

Shares of ACM Research (ACMR -5.88%) were falling sharply today in a broad-based sell-off in artificial intelligence (AI) stocks following Nvidia's GTC Conference kickoff yesterday as the "sell-the-news" event seemed to lead to some of the air coming out of the AI rally. Additionally, ACM also announced a shelf offering, setting it up to sell new shares, though it didn't say how much it was planning to sell.Investors tend to react poorly to secondary offerings as they dilute existing shareholders and may si ...

Growth stocks are where the real money is made in the market. That’s especially true for investors that can identify those with the potential to deliver substantial profits now or in the future. The high-flying companies that capture Wall Street’s imagination tend to be growth companies with extremely strong earnings. As a result, analysts and investors are often willing to value certain growth stocks based on financial projections and growth estimates five, 10, or even 15 years down the road.In my view, so ...

There are some strong buy Russell 2000 stocks for investors to consider adding to their portfolios in March 2024. While the overall market has experienced volatility in recent months, several small-cap companies within the Russell 2000 index have demonstrated promising growth prospects, and analysts are bullish on their prospects.These stocks could offer attractive entry points for investors seeking diversification and exposure to potentially undervalued opportunities. I feel now could be a great time to co ...

If you want big returns, you gotta think small – as in small-cap stocks. That’s not to say the large-capitalization enterprises can’t get you to investment Valhalla. However, the most diminutive companies have math on their side.Basically, I’m referring to the law of small numbers. When you’re dealing with small-cap stocks, you’re almost always targeting businesses that don’t generate much attention. So, when a less-appreciated firm presents impressive financial performance metrics, they can send shares sky ...