13 Best Russell 2000 Stocks to Buy Right Now

Core Insights - Royce Investment Partners anticipates a rebound for small-cap quality and value stocks in 2026, moving away from speculative stocks linked to AI that have dominated the market since April 2025 [2][4] - The firm emphasizes that strong companies with solid balance sheets and attractive valuations will attract investor interest, particularly in the consumer staples, packaging, business services, and insurance sectors [3][4] - Small-cap stocks are expected to outperform larger counterparts in 2026, marking a significant shift in market dynamics [4] Company Highlights - Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ:KTOS): - Analysts from Goldman Sachs and Stifel Nicolaus have reiterated a Buy rating, raising the price target from $93 to $125 and from $112 to $134 respectively [8][9] - The aerospace and defense sector is projected to remain strong in 2026 due to supply-demand dynamics, with KTOS benefiting from order momentum in Valkyrie drones and advancements in hypersonic testing [10][11] - Coeur Mining, Inc. (NYSE:CDE): - The company has received a Buy rating from Raymond James, with the price target increased from $21 to $24.5, and from Roth MKM, with the target raised from $20 to $23 [12][13] - The updated outlook for gold and silver prices in 2026 reflects significant increases, with gold projected at $4,125 and silver at $56.25, influenced by macroeconomic factors [13] - Coeur Mining is expected to report fiscal Q4 2025 results on February 18, with anticipated revenue of approximately $668.7 million and a GAAP EPS of $0.48 [14]