With a market cap of $9.6 billion, A. O. Smith Corporation (AOS) is a global manufacturer and marketer of residential and commercial water heating, boiler, heat pump, tank, and water treatment products, serving customers across North America, China, Europe, and India. Its diverse product portfolio supports a wide range of applications, including homes, restaurants, hotels, hospitals, schools, and other commercial and industrial facilities. Companies valued less than $10 billion are generally classified a ...

Core Insights - U.S. stock markets are experiencing a significant bull run in 2023, with major indexes near all-time highs [1] - Small-cap and mid-cap benchmarks have shown notable gains, with Russell 2000 up 14.3% and S&P 400 up 7.6% year to date [2] - Mid-cap stocks are seen as a good diversification strategy, combining benefits of both small and large-cap stocks [2][3] Mid-Cap Stocks Overview - Top-ranked mid-cap stocks have high potential for profitability and market share growth, with less exposure to international risks compared to large caps [3] - In a thriving economy, mid-cap stocks are expected to outperform small caps due to established management and access to capital [4] Recommended Mid-Cap Stocks - Five mid-cap stocks with favorable Zacks Ranks for 2026 are FirstCash Holdings Inc. (FCFS), Lyft Inc. (LYFT), Installed Building Products Inc. (IBP), Lumen Technologies Inc. (LUMN), and Advanced Energy Industries Inc. (AEIS) [5][9] - Each stock carries a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) [5] Company-Specific Insights FirstCash Holdings Inc. (FCFS) - Operates pawn stores and payment solutions in the U.S. and Latin America, with expected revenue and earnings growth rates of 5.7% and 21.8% respectively for next year [8][10] Lyft Inc. (LYFT) - Engages in ridesharing in the U.S. and Canada, with expected revenue and earnings growth rates of 14.6% and 25.9% respectively for next year [11][13] - Aims to enter the robotaxi market through partnerships, avoiding high R&D costs [12] Installed Building Products Inc. (IBP) - Operates as a residential insulation installer, with expected revenue and earnings growth rates of 1.1% and 0.1% respectively for next year [14][15] Lumen Technologies Inc. (LUMN) - Focused on AI opportunities, with $10 billion in Private Connectivity Fabric deals and plans to eliminate $1 billion in costs [16][17] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates of -5.2% and -71.9% respectively for next year [18] Advanced Energy Industries Inc. (AEIS) - Benefits from semiconductor and data center demand, with expected revenue growth of approximately 20% and earnings growth of 20.2% for next year [19][20][21]

With a market cap of $8.3 billion, Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. (LW) is a food company specializing in the production, distribution, and marketing of frozen potato products across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and international markets. The company offers a wide range of frozen potatoes, commercial ingredients, and appetizers under the Lamb Weston brand, as well as owned, licensed, and private-label brands such as Grown in Idaho and Alexia. Companies valued less than $10 billion are generally consider ...

With a market cap of $8.6 billion, DaVita Inc. (DVA) is a leading provider of kidney dialysis services for patients with chronic kidney failure in the United States. The company operates a nationwide network of outpatient dialysis centers, offering outpatient, inpatient, and home-based hemodialysis services along with related laboratory testing for ESRD patients. Companies valued less than $10 billion are generally considered "mid-cap" stocks, and DaVita fits this criterion perfectly. In addition to dial ...

Covington, Louisiana-based Pool Corporation (POOL) is the world's leading independent distributor of swimming pool supplies, equipment, and related leisure products. With a market cap of $8.9 billion, Pool operates in hundreds of locations through its distribution networks and serves over 125,000 wholesale customers worldwide. Companies worth between $2 billion and $10 billion or more are generally described as “mid-cap stocks.” Pool fits this bill perfectly. Given its extensive operations and customer b ...

Company Overview - Molina Healthcare, Inc. (MOH) has a market cap of $8.7 billion and provides managed healthcare services to low-income individuals and families through Medicaid, Medicare, and state insurance marketplace programs [1] - The company operates in four key segments: Medicaid, Medicare, Marketplace, and Other [1] Stock Performance - MOH shares have dropped 55.4% from their 52-week high of $359.97 and decreased 10.4% over the past three months, underperforming the Dow Jones Industrials Average, which rose by 5.6% during the same period [2] - Year-to-date, MOH stock is down 44.9%, lagging behind the Dow's nearly 13% gain, and has dipped 46.2% over the past 52 weeks compared to the Dow's 8.6% increase [3] Recent Financial Results - Following the Q3 2025 results on October 22, MOH shares tumbled 17.5% as adjusted EPS fell to $1.84 from $6.01 due to elevated medical costs, with about half of the underperformance attributed to the Marketplace segment [4] - The company has revised its full-year 2025 adjusted profit forecast to approximately $14 per share, citing ongoing pressure from higher-than-expected healthcare utilization, particularly in Medicare and Marketplace plans [4] Competitive Landscape - In comparison, rival CVS Health Corporation (CVS) has significantly outperformed MOH, with CVS stock surging 75.9% year-to-date and 43.2% over the past 52 weeks [5] - Analysts remain cautious about MOH's prospects, with a consensus rating of "Hold" from 18 analysts and a mean price target of $170, representing a 5.9% premium to current levels [5]

Core Insights - Many investors lack sufficient exposure to small- and mid-cap stocks in their portfolios [1] Group 1 - The article highlights a common trend among investors regarding their portfolio composition [1]

Market Overview - U.S. stock markets have experienced a significant bull run in 2023, with the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq Composite increasing by 9.1%, 12.5%, and 15.5% respectively, while the S&P 400 index is up 2.2% year to date [1] Mid-Cap Stocks - Investment in mid-cap stocks is recognized as a strong portfolio diversification strategy, combining attributes of both small and large-cap stocks, with high potential for profitability and market share growth [2] - Mid-cap stocks are less susceptible to losses compared to large-cap stocks during economic slowdowns due to lower international exposure, and they can outperform small caps in a thriving economy due to established management and access to capital [3] Recommended Mid-Cap Technology Stocks - Five mid-cap technology stocks with favorable Zacks Rank and short-term price upside potential are Lyft Inc. (LYFT), GitLab Inc. (GTLB), EPAM Systems Inc. (EPAM), Onto Innovation Inc. (ONTO), and Semtech Corp. (SMTC), all carrying a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) [4][8] Lyft Inc. (LYFT) - Lyft operates a ridesharing marketplace in the U.S. and Canada, benefiting from strong rider and driver growth, and aims to enter the robotaxi market through strategic partnerships [5][6] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for LYFT are 14.6% and 25.9% respectively for next year, with a short-term average price target indicating an 18.6% increase from the last closing price of $19.78, suggesting a maximum upside of 61.8% [9] GitLab Inc. (GTLB) - GitLab offers a DevOps platform that enhances software development efficiency, with strong enterprise demand for its AI-native solutions driving growth [10][11] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for GTLB are 19.7% and 16.7% respectively for next year, with a short-term average price target suggesting a 38.8% increase from the last closing price of $41.49, indicating a maximum upside of 73.5% [12] EPAM Systems Inc. (EPAM) - EPAM is benefiting from digital transformation trends and strategic acquisitions, with a focus on Gen AI capabilities expected to boost growth [13][14] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for EPAM are 6.9% and 9.9% respectively for next year, with a short-term average price target indicating a 15.7% increase from the last closing price of $180.98, suggesting a maximum upside of 40.9% [15] Onto Innovation Inc. (ONTO) - Onto Innovation is leveraging its diversified portfolio and AI-driven advanced packaging, with strong sales growth expected in the fourth quarter [16][17] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for ONTO are 14.8% and 19.9% respectively for next year, with a short-term average price target suggesting a 23.4% increase from the last closing price of $127.18, indicating a maximum upside of 41.5% [18] Semtech Corp. (SMTC) - Semtech is experiencing strong demand in industrial and datacenter markets, particularly for its connectivity solutions [19][20] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for SMTC are 10.1% and 24.5% respectively for next year, with a short-term average price target indicating a 15.3% increase from the last closing price of $63.85, suggesting a maximum upside of 41% [21]

India’s mid-cap stocks are at all-time highs, with analysts expecting more gains as prospects for interest-rate cuts grow. Read for free with your email on what could move markets today https://t.co/vaf4qsWpqI ...

Core Insights - 2025 presents various challenges for investors, including tariff uncertainty and potential stagflation, leading to a mixed performance across market segments [1] - A shift in investment strategy towards mid-cap stocks may be beneficial, as they combine strengths of both small-cap and large-cap firms while mitigating weaknesses [2][3] Mid-Cap Market Analysis - Mid-cap companies span various industries and can capitalize on market opportunities, potentially offering better revenue prospects than small-caps at more attractive valuations than large-caps [3] - The Fidelity Enhanced Mid Cap ETF (FMDE) is highlighted as a viable investment option, charging a fee of 23 basis points and utilizing quantitative analysis for active investment in U.S. mid-cap stocks [4] Performance Metrics - FMDE has achieved an 8.5% year-to-date return, outperforming both its ETF Database Category and FactSet Segment averages, and has attracted over a billion in net inflows in the past year [5] - The fund's strategy includes evaluating historical valuation, growth, and profitability, along with income generation through securities lending, positioning it well for uncertain market conditions in 2026 [5][6]