Quick Read SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap (SPSM) returned 14.27% over the past year versus the S&P 500’s 14.31%. SPSM’s five-year gain of 34.21% trails the S&P 500’s 76.23% return by more than half. The fund holds established businesses like Eastman Chemical (EMN) rather than speculative growth bets. A recent study identified one single habit that doubled Americans’ retirement savings and moved retirement from dream, to reality. Read more here. Small-cap stocks have a reputation for delivering ...

Core Viewpoint - Geopolitical factors are hindering the S&P 500's performance, while the Russell 2000 index of smaller-cap companies is experiencing significant gains [1] Group 1: Russell 2000 Performance - The Russell 2000 marked its 7th record close of the new year on Wednesday [1] - The index achieved its best one-day gain on both a point and percentage basis since late November [1] - Since the beginning of the year, the Russell 2000 has outperformed the Nasdaq Composite by nearly 3% [1]

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]

Group 1 - The Russell 2000 index, representing small-cap stocks, increased by 1.3% after a previous decline of 1.2% [1] - Other major indexes such as the S&P 500, Dow, and Nasdaq Composite saw gains of less than 1% [1] - Small-cap stocks have risen 8% this year, significantly outperforming other indexes [2] Group 2 - The performance of the Russell 2000 indicates a trend of risk-taking among investors, who are capitalizing on recent price dips [2]

Core Insights - Investing in small-cap stocks often involves a trade-off between quality and growth potential, with many small-cap indexes containing unprofitable companies [1] Group 1: Small-Cap ETFs - The WisdomTree US Smallcap Quality Dividend Growth Fund (DGRS) is a notable small-cap ETF that emphasizes dividends and quality, with a total asset value of $353.2 million as of its debut in July 2013 [2] - DGRS has shown extended out-performance over the last six years compared to "junk" small-caps, particularly benefiting from dividend-paying smaller companies with quality traits [3][4] - The Russell 2000 Index, a benchmark for U.S. small-cap equity performance, had approximately 28% of its weight in companies with negative earnings over the prior 12 months as of September 30, 2025 [5] Group 2: Investment Strategy and Market Trends - DGRS's focus on profitability provides a strategy for investors to mitigate volatility, which is not commonly found in basic small-cap funds [4] - DGRS also offers value at a time when many small-caps are experiencing high valuations, making it an attractive option for investors [6] - A shift in investor tolerance for money-losing companies could favor quality ETFs like DGRS, especially if traditional small-cap funds struggle [7] - Historically, companies with steady earnings and dividends have lagged behind speculative firms, indicating a reversal of trends seen post-global financial crisis [8]

分组1 - Fortitude Gold (FTCO) shows potential for a turnaround after experiencing strong performance at the Isabella Pearl mine, which was hindered by permit delays that limited production last year [1] - The company has significant potential margins on gold, making it an attractive investment opportunity [1] - The focus on small-cap stocks is emphasized, as they are more likely to yield substantial returns, particularly those backed by hard assets like gold [1] 分组2 - The Federal Reserve's inflationary policies are seen as devaluing the fiat dollar, positioning gold as a stable asset that retains value [1] - Companies with strong balance sheets and minimal long-term debt are better positioned to weather economic downturns, presenting opportunities for investors in undervalued stocks [1] - The article suggests that investing in micro-cap stocks, which are often overlooked by Wall Street, can lead to lucrative gains if done with patience [1]

Group 1 - Redwire Corporation (RDW) and other small-cap space/defense companies have experienced a bullish run-up over the past month, indicating a need for significant momentum in the sector [1] - The article emphasizes the importance of evaluating the science behind drug candidates, the competitive landscape, clinical trial design, and potential market opportunities in the biotech sector [1] Group 2 - The focus is on identifying promising biotechnology companies that are innovating through novel mechanisms of action, first-in-class therapies, or platform technologies [1] - The analysis aims to deliver research that is both technically sound and investment-driven, combining scientific expertise with financial and market analysis [1]

Core Insights - In 2025, small-cap stocks underperformed compared to large-cap stocks, with the Russell 2000 Index delivering a total return of approximately 13%, while the S&P 500 Index achieved around 18% [2] - Despite the overall underperformance, three small-cap stocks achieved exceptional returns of 300% or more, transitioning into mid-cap status [3] Company Performance - GRAIL, a healthcare company focused on early cancer detection, saw its stock price increase by approximately 380% in 2025, raising its market capitalization from below $1 billion to around $3.3 billion [3] - GRAIL's main product, the Galleri Multi-Cancer Early Detection test, is designed to detect over 50 types of cancer, significantly improving early detection rates [4] - The company plans to apply for Premarket Approval (PMA) from the U.S. FDA in Q1 2026, which could lead to commercial insurers covering the test, unlocking a new sales channel [5] Market Outlook - Analysts have a consensus price target of $97.50 for GRAIL, indicating an optimistic outlook with an implied upside of around 14% [6]

Market Trends - Capital is shifting from high-multiple mega-cap stocks to small caps, cyclical sectors, and international markets, driven by easy monetary policy and anticipated fiscal policy impacts on the US economy [1] - The S&P SmallCap 600 is highlighted as a preferred investment vehicle for small caps due to its concentration in industrials and financials [1] - Small caps are considered undervalued and historically outperform during rate-cutting cycles [1] Small Cap Performance - The Russell 2000 index reached new all-time highs in September, while the S&P 600 struggled initially, indicating a prior reliance on lower-quality stocks [2] - Recently, the S&P 600 has joined the upward trend of the Russell 2000, nearing its own all-time highs [2] - Small caps are currently at levels similar to those four years ago, suggesting potential for significant upside if the breakout holds [2] Company Insights: Ambev (NYSE:ABEV) - Ambev has a forward P/E ratio of 13.30 and a share price of $2.30, with 20 hedge fund holders [8] - The company reported a normalized net income of BRL 3.8 billion, a 7% increase, and a stated net income of BRL 4.9 billion, a 36% surge year-over-year [11] - Ambev's premiumization strategy led to over 9% growth in volumes for premium brands, capturing nearly 50% market share in Brazil [10] Company Insights: Akebia Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:AKBA) - Akebia has a forward P/E ratio of 8.73 and a share price of $1.66, with 21 hedge fund holders [13] - The company is expanding its pipeline for rare kidney diseases, focusing on two product candidates: AKB-097 and praliciguat [13] - Akebia's Vafseo is an oral treatment for anemia in dialysis patients, approved in 37 countries, with a Boxed Warning for increased risks of serious health issues [14]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the potential of small-cap stocks, particularly micro-cap stocks, which are often overlooked by Wall Street, presenting significant investment opportunities [1] - It advocates for investing in undervalued stocks that are backed by hard assets such as land, natural gas, oil, real estate, gold, and silver, which are expected to yield profitable returns [1] - The article highlights the importance of companies maintaining a strong balance sheet, specifically those with zero long-term debt, to better withstand economic downturns [1] Investment Strategy - The investment strategy focuses on purchasing undervalued, emerging stocks before they gain popularity, which can lead to lucrative gains, although patience is required [1] - The article suggests that the Federal Reserve's policies of creating digital and paper money contribute to the devaluation of the dollar, making gold a reliable store of value [1] - Companies with significantly more cash assets than debt are positioned to survive economic challenges, providing an opportunity for investors to capitalize on their undervalued status [1]