Investor flows rotate toward small companies with improving earnings; Capstone advances toward EBITDA profitability and scale monetization NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK / ACCESS Newswire / February 3, 2026 / Capstone Holding Corp. (NASDAQ:CAPS), a tech-enabled building products distribution platform, today highlighted early-2026 market conditions that reinforce Capstone's execution strategy and support continued progress toward sustainable earnings growth.[1] In January, the Russell 2000 outperformed the S&P 500 ...

10 Small-Cap Stocks Poised to Break Out in 2026 - Barron'sSkip to Main ContentThis copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com.# 10 Small-Cap Stocks That Could Keep the Rally GoingBy [Ian Salisbury]ShareResize---ReprintsAfter years of struggling to catch up with the large- ...

We recently compiled a list of the 12 Cheap Small-Cap Stocks to Invest In Before the Next Breakout.  STAAR Surgical Company tops our list for being one of the best small-cap stocks on our list. TheFly reported on January 16 that Morgan Stanley resumed coverage of STAA with an Underweight rating and a $13 price target following the termination of its merger agreement with Alcon (ALC). The firm described STAAR’s EVO ICL technology as “impressive” but noted it remains a niche product with a limited addressab ...

Cost & Size Comparison - Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) has a lower expense ratio of 0.05% compared to iShares Core SP Small-Cap ETF (IJR) at 0.06% [4][5] - As of January 9, 2026, VB has a one-year return of 14.1%, while IJR has a return of 11.8% [4] - VB has an Assets Under Management (AUM) of $72.7 billion, whereas IJR has a significantly larger AUM of $92.5 billion [4] Performance & Risk Analysis - Over the past five years, the maximum drawdown for IJR is -28.02%, while VB's is slightly higher at -28.16% [6] - An investment of $1,000 would have grown to $1,334 in VB compared to $1,288 in IJR over the same five-year period [6] Portfolio Composition - VB tracks a broad CRSP U.S. small-cap index with 1,357 stocks, focusing on industrials (19%) and technology (17%) sectors [7] - IJR has a narrower focus with 632 holdings, emphasizing financial services (18%) and industrials (16%) [8] - Both ETFs maintain broad diversification, avoiding specialized quirks in their portfolios [8] Summary of Findings - VB outperforms IJR in one-year and five-year total returns, while also holding more than twice as many stocks [9] - Both funds are characterized by high diversification and low costs, with nearly identical dividend yields and risk profiles [9]

Group 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] Group 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]

Market Analysis by covering: . Read 's Market Analysis on Investing.com ...

Group 1 - Small-cap stocks, defined as companies with market capitalizations between approximately $250 million and $2 billion, are expected to outperform larger companies in 2026, with the S&P 600 and Russell 2000 indexes rising over 4% year-to-date [1][6] - Analysts believe that factors such as earnings rebound, accommodative monetary policy, and potential tariff reductions are aligning to support small-cap growth [2][3] - Bank of America forecasts that small-cap earnings outperformance will drive this sector's leadership, with a list of 30 "smid-cap" stocks showing an average upside of nearly 30% over the next 12 months [3][4] Group 2 - Approximately 90% of the stocks on the Bank of America list have seen positive consensus earnings-per-share revisions in the last three months, with median growth projections of 23% for the next year [4] - Economists at Bank of America anticipate three interest rate cuts by the end of the year, which would benefit small-cap companies that typically carry more debt [5] - Notable small-cap stocks identified include Alaska Air Group (ALK), Birkenstock (BIRK), Duolingo (DUOL), e.l.f. Beauty (ELF), Vita Coco (COCO), and Wayfair (W) [6]

Core Viewpoint - Large-cap growth stocks have dominated the market due to a lack of investor interest in mid-cap and small-cap stocks, with many preferring to invest in the "Magnificent Seven" for consistent double-digit annual returns [1] Group 1 - The prevailing investment strategy focuses on large-cap growth stocks, leading to a neglect of mid-cap and small-cap opportunities [1] - Investors are drawn to the stability and performance of large-cap stocks, which has resulted in a significant shift in market dynamics [1] - The article suggests that 2026 may present a turning point for mid-cap value dividend stocks, indicating potential for growth in this segment [1]

Company Overview - Opera is a Norway-based tech firm with an enterprise value of approximately $1.28 billion, primarily owned by Kunlun Tech since 2016 [3] - The company has been operational for three decades and focuses on providing faster, smarter, and safer web browsing experiences [2] Financial Performance - In Q3 2025, Opera reported a revenue of $151.9 million, reflecting a 23% year-over-year growth, exceeding analyst expectations by $3.8 million [7] - The company's non-GAAP EPS was 30 cents per share, which missed forecasts by one cent [7] - Year-to-date, Opera's shares have declined by 20% due to increased operating expenses and decreased operating cash flows [6] Market Position and Analyst Insights - Goldman analyst Eric Sheridan highlights Opera's strong fundamentals and operating momentum, despite pressures from competition and investor preferences for larger companies [8] - Sheridan maintains a positive outlook, indicating that Opera is well-positioned to benefit from long-term trends in digital advertising and geographic product mix shifts, projecting sustained double-digit growth [8] - The stock has a Buy rating with a price target of $24.50, suggesting a potential upside of 69% in the coming year [8] Industry Context - The small-cap sector, including Opera, is expected to outperform in early 2026 due to favorable macroeconomic conditions, including accelerating US economic growth and continued Federal Reserve easing [5] - The Russell 2000 index, a benchmark for small-cap stocks, has gained in the mid-teens this year, indicating a positive trend for small-cap investments [5]

The S&P 600 is up 10% since late November. Investors are feeling better about the economy. ...