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10 Best Small Cap Stocks to Buy Now

Let's talk about small cap stocks. It's common knowledge that tilting your stock portfolio toward smaller-capitalization companies will generally outperform the S&P 500 over a long enough period of time. Companies that have a market value between $300 million and $2 billion tend to outperform their large cap counterparts simply because they have a lot more room to grow and haven't saturated their markets yet.

While small cap stocks provide some of the best growth opportunities in public markets, they are also much more volatile than their large cap counterparts. Many large cap companies that are name brands among retail investors (Apple, Tesla, etc.) move in unison with the total direction of the market.

It's a different situation with small cap stocks. There are clear winners and losers over the course of the year. Price performance is much more dependent on a small cap's stock performance (earnings per share) and how much interest there is in the company among retail investors. If a small cap stock has strong earnings and gains a following on sites like Seeking Alpha and MarketBeat, they can see their stock price double or triple over the course of a year. That typically doesn't happen with their large cap counterparts.

How do you find the winners though? Sure, you can buy a small cap index ETF and get average returns and you'll do fine over the course of time. But, what if there was a way to identify the best small caps to buy now without having a crystal ball? It's impossible to say with certainty what the best performing small cap stocks will be next year, but we polled the most-accurate and best-performing research analysts on Wall Street to see what they have to say.

Wall Street analysts publish more than 48,000 research notes on small cap companies each year. We've compiled a list of the 10 stocks that they are consistently issuing "buy", "strong buy", and "conviction buy" ratings on.

#1 - DeFi Technologies (OTC:DEFTF)

Consensus Rating
Strong Buy
Rating Score
3.8
Ratings Breakdown
4 Buy Ratings, 0 Hold Ratings, 0 Sell Ratings.
Consensus Price Target
N/A

About DeFi Technologies

DeFi Technologies logoDeFi Technologies Inc, a technology company, develops and lists exchange traded products in Canada, Bermuda, and the Cayman Islands. The company provides asset management services, such as investment vehicles, indirect exposure to underlying cryptocurrencies, digital asset indexes, and other decentralized finance instruments. More about DeFi Technologies
 

Recent Analyst Ratings

DateBrokerageActionRatingPrice TargetDetails
4/24/2025Compass PointInitiated CoverageBuy
1/15/2025Northland CapmkUpgradeStrong-Buy
12/12/2024HC WainwrightUpgradeStrong-Buy
10/23/2024B. RileyUpgradeStrong-Buy

#2 - Cott (TSE:PRM)

Consensus Rating
Strong Buy
Rating Score
3.6
Ratings Breakdown
4 Buy Ratings, 1 Hold Ratings, 0 Sell Ratings.
Consensus Price Target
N/A

About Cott

The investment objectives for the Preferred shares are to provide their holders with fixed cumulative preferential quarterly cash distributions in the amount of $0.125 per Preferred share. Fund will invest in an initially equally-weighted portfolio comprised of Equity Securities of ten issuers, selected by the Portfolio Manager from the Investable Universe, that at the time of investment and immediately following each semi-annual reconstitution and rebalancing are listed on a North American exchange pay a dividend and have options in respect of its Equity Securities that, in the opinion of the Portfolio Manager, are sufficiently liquid to permit the Portfolio Manager to write options in respect of such securities.
 

Recent Analyst Ratings

DateBrokerageActionRatingPrice TargetDetails
5/12/2025MizuhoUpgradeStrong-Buy
4/4/2025Truist FinancialUpgradeStrong-Buy
1/6/2025BMO Capital MarketsUpgradeStrong-Buy
10/24/2024William BlairUpgradeStrong-Buy
10/2/2024Raymond JamesDowngradeModerate Buy ➝ Hold

#3 - Hut 8 (TSE:HUT)

Consensus Rating
Strong Buy
Rating Score
4.0
Ratings Breakdown
7 Buy Ratings, 0 Hold Ratings, 0 Sell Ratings.
Consensus Price Target
N/A

About Hut 8

Hut 8 logoHut 8 Mining Corp is North America's innovation-focused digital asset miner. Located in energy-rich Alberta, Canada. Hut 8 has one of the highest installed capacity rates in the industry and holds more self-mined bitcoin than any crypto miner or publicly-traded company globally. It is executing on its commitment to mining and holding bitcoin and has a diversified business and revenue strategy to grow and protect shareholder value regardless of bitcoin's market direction.
 

Recent Analyst Ratings

DateBrokerageActionRatingPrice TargetDetails
5/13/2025B. RileyUpgradeStrong-Buy
5/1/2025Maxim GroupUpgradeStrong-Buy
4/21/2025Northland CapmkUpgradeStrong-Buy
4/14/2025BTIG ResearchUpgradeStrong-Buy
3/7/2025Rosenblatt SecuritiesUpgradeStrong-Buy
1/8/2025Keefe, Bruyette & WoodsUpgradeModerate Buy
12/9/2024Cantor FitzgeraldUpgradeStrong-Buy
8/14/2024HC WainwrightUpgradeStrong Sell ➝ Strong-Buy
5/16/2024Craig HallumUpgradeHold ➝ Strong-Buy
2/6/2024HC WainwrightReiterated RatingSell

#4 - Siemens Healthineers (OTCMKTS:SMMNY)

Consensus Rating
Strong Buy
Rating Score
3.5
Ratings Breakdown
5 Buy Ratings, 1 Hold Ratings, 0 Sell Ratings.
Consensus Price Target
N/A

About Siemens Healthineers

Siemens Healthineers logoSiemens Healthineers AG, through its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures, and sells a range of diagnostic and therapeutic products and services to healthcare providers worldwide. It operates through four segments: Imaging, Diagnostics, Varian, and Advanced Therapies. The Imaging segment provides magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, X-ray systems, molecular imaging, and ultrasound systems. More about Siemens Healthineers
 

Recent Analyst Ratings

DateBrokerageActionRatingPrice TargetDetails
5/16/2025DZ BankUpgradeHold ➝ Strong-Buy
4/25/2025HSBCUpgradeBuy
4/25/2025Hsbc Global ResUpgradeHold ➝ Strong-Buy
1/30/2025Berenberg BankUpgradeStrong-Buy
9/26/2024UBS GroupDowngradeStrong-Buy ➝ Hold
7/31/2024Sanford C. BernsteinUpgradeStrong-Buy
9/18/2023Stifel NicolausInitiated CoverageBuy
9/5/2023HSBCUpgradeHold ➝ Buy
7/12/2023The Goldman Sachs GroupInitiated CoverageNeutral
5/16/2023HSBCDowngradeBuy ➝ Hold

#5 - Marker Therapeutics (NASDAQ:MRKR)

Consensus Rating
Strong Buy
Rating Score
3.5
Ratings Breakdown
4 Buy Ratings, 0 Hold Ratings, 0 Sell Ratings.
Consensus Price Target
$13.17 (1,065.2% Upside)

About Marker Therapeutics

Marker Therapeutics logoMarker Therapeutics, Inc, a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company, engages in the development and commercialization of novel T cell-based immunotherapies for the treatment of hematological malignancies and solid tumor indications. Its multi tumor associated antigen-specific T cell technology is based on the manufacture of non-engineered tumor-specific T cells that recognize multiple tumor-associated antigens. More about Marker Therapeutics
 

Recent Analyst Ratings

DateBrokerageActionRatingPrice TargetDetails
4/1/2025WBB SecuritiesReiterated RatingStrong-Buy ➝ Strong-Buy$12.50 ➝ $12.50
3/5/2025Canaccord Genuity GroupInitiated CoverageBuy$8.00
2/10/2025Brookline Capital ManagementUpgradeStrong-Buy
10/21/2024LADENBURG THALM/SH SHBoost Price TargetBuy ➝ Buy$11.00 ➝ $19.00
4/30/2024LADENBURG THALM/SH SHInitiated CoverageBuy$11.00
5/27/2022Piper SandlerLower Price Target$3.50 ➝ $1.50

#6 - Achieve Life Sciences (NASDAQ:ACHV)

Consensus Rating
Strong Buy
Rating Score
3.5
Ratings Breakdown
4 Buy Ratings, 0 Hold Ratings, 0 Sell Ratings.
Consensus Price Target
$14.33 (382.6% Upside)

About Achieve Life Sciences

Achieve Life Sciences logoAchieve Life Sciences, Inc, a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company, develops and commercializes cytisinicline for smoking cessation and nicotine addiction. The company offers cytisinicline, a plant-based alkaloid that interacts with nicotine receptors in the brain that reduce the severity of nicotine withdrawal symptoms. More about Achieve Life Sciences
 

Recent Analyst Ratings

DateBrokerageActionRatingPrice TargetDetails
11/14/2024RODMAN&RENSHAWUpgradeStrong-Buy
11/14/2024Rodman & RenshawInitiated CoverageBuy$12.00
9/27/2024Raymond JamesInitiated CoverageStrong-Buy$20.00
8/15/2024OppenheimerReiterated RatingOutperform ➝ Outperform$11.00 ➝ $11.00
5/13/2024OppenheimerLower Price TargetOutperform ➝ Outperform$18.00 ➝ $11.00
4/17/2024JonestradingInitiated CoverageBuy$20.00
4/1/2024OppenheimerReiterated RatingOutperform ➝ Outperform$18.00
3/5/2024Lake Street CapitalLower Price TargetBuy ➝ Buy$19.00 ➝ $11.00
12/12/2023OppenheimerLower Price TargetOutperform ➝ Outperform$21.00 ➝ $18.00
5/31/2023Lake Street CapitalLower Price Target$22.00 ➝ $19.00

#7 - Select Water Solutions (NYSE:WTTR)

Consensus Rating
Strong Buy
Rating Score
3.5
Ratings Breakdown
4 Buy Ratings, 0 Hold Ratings, 0 Sell Ratings.
Consensus Price Target
$14.83 (84.2% Upside)

About Select Water Solutions

Select Water Solutions logoSelect Water Solutions, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides water management and chemical solutions to the energy industry in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Water Services, Water Infrastructure, and Chemical Technologies. The Water Services segment provides water-related services, including water sourcing, water transfer, flowback and well testing, water containment, fluids hauling, water monitoring, and water network automation; technology solutions comprising hydrographic mapping, water volume and quality monitoring, remote pit and tank monitoring, leak detection, asset and fuel tracking, and automated-equipment services, as well as various surface rental equipment and workforce accommodation services. More about Select Water Solutions
 

Recent Analyst Ratings

DateBrokerageActionRatingPrice TargetDetails
5/13/2025CitigroupLower Price TargetBuy ➝ Buy$18.00 ➝ $14.00
5/9/2025Raymond JamesLower Price TargetStrong-Buy ➝ Strong-Buy$19.00 ➝ $16.00
1/10/2025CitigroupBoost Price TargetBuy ➝ Buy$14.00 ➝ $18.00
8/22/2024Northland CapmkUpgradeHold ➝ Strong-Buy
8/22/2024Northland SecuritiesUpgradeMarket Perform ➝ Outperform$11.50 ➝ $14.50
5/9/2024CitigroupUpgradeNeutral ➝ Buy$13.00
4/22/2024Northland SecuritiesInitiated CoverageMarket Perform$11.50
8/14/2023Piper SandlerBoost Price TargetOverweight ➝ Overweight$10.00 ➝ $11.00
7/18/2023CitigroupBoost Price TargetNeutral$8.00 ➝ $8.50
5/18/2023CitigroupBoost Price Target$6.50 ➝ $8.00

#8 - Bitcoin Depot (NASDAQ:BTM)

Consensus Rating
Buy
Rating Score
3.4
Ratings Breakdown
5 Buy Ratings, 0 Hold Ratings, 0 Sell Ratings.
Consensus Price Target
$4.83 (37.7% Upside)

About Bitcoin Depot

Bitcoin Depot logoBitcoin Depot Inc owns and operates a network of cryptocurrency kiosks in North America. Its customers can buy and sell bitcoin, litecoin, and ethereum cryptocurrencies using the BTM kiosk network and other services. The company also engages in the sale of cryptocurrency to consumers at a network of retail locations through its BDCheckout product offering, as well as its website through over-the-counter trade. More about Bitcoin Depot
 

Recent Analyst Ratings

DateBrokerageActionRatingPrice TargetDetails
5/16/2025Northland CapmkUpgradeHold ➝ Strong-Buy
5/16/2025B. RileyBoost Price TargetBuy ➝ Buy$4.70 ➝ $5.50
5/16/2025Northland SecuritiesUpgradeMarket Perform ➝ Outperform$5.00
3/19/2025B. RileyReiterated RatingBuy ➝ Buy$4.50 ➝ $4.70
3/18/2025HC WainwrightReiterated RatingBuy ➝ Buy$4.00 ➝ $4.00
10/17/2024Noble FinancialUpgradeStrong-Buy
8/15/2024HC WainwrightLower Price TargetBuy ➝ Buy$4.00 ➝ $3.50
5/14/2024HC WainwrightReiterated RatingBuy ➝ Buy$4.00
3/26/2024B. RileyLower Price TargetBuy ➝ Buy$6.00 ➝ $4.00
3/26/2024HC WainwrightLower Price TargetBuy ➝ Buy$5.00 ➝ $4.00

#9 - Talphera (NASDAQ:TLPH)

Consensus Rating
Strong Buy
Rating Score
3.5
Ratings Breakdown
4 Buy Ratings, 0 Hold Ratings, 0 Sell Ratings.
Consensus Price Target
$5.00 (892.1% Upside)

About Talphera

Talphera logoTalphera, Inc, a specialty pharmaceutical company, focuses on the development and commercialization of therapies for use in medically supervised settings. Its lead product candidate is Niyad, a lyophilized formulation of nafamostat, which is under an investigational device exemption as an anticoagulant for the extracorporeal circuit. More about Talphera
 

Recent Analyst Ratings

DateBrokerageActionRatingPrice TargetDetails
4/1/2025HC WainwrightReiterated RatingBuy ➝ Buy$6.00 ➝ $6.00
1/28/2025RODMAN&RENSHAWUpgradeStrong-Buy
1/28/2025Rodman & RenshawInitiated CoverageBuy$4.00
1/21/2025HC WainwrightReiterated RatingBuy ➝ Buy$6.00 ➝ $6.00
11/8/2024Maxim GroupUpgradeStrong-Buy
8/16/2024HC WainwrightReiterated RatingBuy ➝ Buy$6.00 ➝ $6.00
5/15/2024HC WainwrightReiterated RatingBuy ➝ Buy$6.00
5/6/2024Maxim GroupInitiated CoverageBuy$3.00
3/7/2024HC WainwrightReiterated RatingBuy ➝ Buy$6.00
1/22/2024HC WainwrightBoost Price TargetBuy ➝ Buy$5.00 ➝ $6.00

#10 - Maze Therapeutics (NASDAQ:MAZE)

Consensus Rating
Buy
Rating Score
3.4
Ratings Breakdown
5 Buy Ratings, 0 Hold Ratings, 0 Sell Ratings.
Consensus Price Target
$25.67 (152.4% Upside)

About Maze Therapeutics

Maze Therapeutics logoWe are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company harnessing the power of human genetics to develop novel, small molecule precision medicines for patients living with renal, cardiovascular and related metabolic diseases, including obesity. We are advancing a pipeline using our Compass platform, which allows us to identify and characterize genetic variants in disease and then link those variants to the biological pathways that drive disease in specific patient groups through a process we refer to as variant functionalization. More about Maze Therapeutics
 

Recent Analyst Ratings

DateBrokerageActionRatingPrice TargetDetails
4/2/2025GuggenheimReiterated RatingBuy ➝ Buy$19.00 ➝ $19.00
2/25/2025TD CowenUpgradeStrong-Buy
2/25/2025Leerink PartnrsUpgradeStrong-Buy
2/25/2025GuggenheimInitiated CoverageBuy$19.00
2/25/2025JPMorgan Chase & Co.Initiated CoverageOverweight$30.00
2/25/2025Leerink PartnersInitiated CoverageOutperform$28.00

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