The $10-50 price range often includes mid-sized businesses with proven track records and plenty of growth runway ahead.
They also usually carry less risk than penny stocks, though they’re not immune to volatility as many lack the scale advantages of their larger peers.
The Russell 2000 (^RUT) is home to many small-cap stocks, offering investors the chance to uncover hidden gems before the broader market catches on.
However, these companies often come with higher volatility and risk, as their smaller size makes them more vulnerable to economic downturns.
A number of stocks fell in the afternoon session after a hotter-than-expected wholesale inflation report fueled concerns about slowing consumer spending. The market was rattled by a Labor Department report showing the Producer Price Index (PPI), a measure of wholesale inflation, jumped 0.9% in July, significantly exceeding economists' expectations of a 0.2% rise. This was the largest monthly increase since March 2022, reigniting worries that businesses will be forced to pass higher costs on to consumers, who are already showing signs of price sensitivity. This inflation data has fanned concerns that U.S. tariffs on imported goods could start to translate into higher prices for shoppers. The inflation report landed amid growing evidence of consumer caution, with recent reports highlighting that shoppers are cutting back on non-essential spending, seeking out sales, and trading down to cheaper brands.
Shares of department store chain Kohl’s (NYSE:KSS)
jumped 6.8% in the afternoon session after investment analysts at Gordon Haskett raised their rating on the stock to 'hold' from 'reduce'. Investment firm Gordon Haskett revised its outlook on the stock on Tuesday, prompting positive market sentiment. This upgrade is notable given that Kohl's holds a consensus "Reduce" recommendation from the fifteen analysts covering the firm. Prior to this change, seven analysts had a "sell" rating on the stock, while eight recommended a "hold." The shift by Gordon Haskett may suggest an improved perspective on the retailer's prospects. Adding to the news, the company also recently declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.125 per share.
The financial markets are currently riding a wave of optimism, largely fueled by the anticipation of an interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve. This bullish sentiment, which has seen major stock indexes like the S&P 500 (SPX), Nasdaq (IXIC), and Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) reach new record
A number of stocks jumped in the morning session after a tame inflation report boosted investor hopes for an interest rate cut from the Federal Reserve. The latest Consumer Price Index data showed the annual inflation rate held steady at 2.7%, reassuring investors who had feared that tariffs could lead to a spike in consumer prices. This milder-than-expected reading gives the Federal Reserve more flexibility to consider lowering interest rates, possibly as soon as next month.
Shares of department store chain Kohl’s (NYSE:KSS)
jumped 10.2% in the afternoon session after it became a focal point for retail investors amid a broader resurgence in "meme stock" trading. The stock's rally is not tied to any specific company news or fundamentals. Instead, Kohl's has recently been identified as a "meme stock," a term for shares that gain popularity among retail investors through social media and online forums. This type of trading is often driven by speculative momentum rather than traditional financial metrics like earnings. The movement is part of a broader trend seeing renewed interest in such stocks, with Kohl's joining names like AMC and GameStop. A contributing factor for this attention is often high short interest, where a significant number of investors are betting the stock price will fall. This can create a "short squeeze," a rapid price increase as short-sellers are forced to buy shares to exit their positions, further fueling the rally.
A number of stocks jumped in the afternoon session after markets rebounded following a sharp sell-off in the previous trading session as a weaker-than-expected July jobs report fueled investor hopes for a potential interest rate cut.
Volatility cuts both ways - while it creates opportunities, it also increases risk, making sharp declines just as likely as big gains.
This unpredictability can shake out even the most experienced investors.
Each trading day features hundreds of headlines and press releases on Benzinga Pro, a source for traders to see the latest news on the overall market and individual tickers.
A number of stocks fell in the morning session as the broader market tumbled in the morning session after a surprisingly weak U.S. jobs report and the announcement of new, widespread tariffs on imported goods. The U.S. economy added only 73,000 jobs in July, falling far short of the 109,000 forecast. Compounding the issue, job gains for May and June were revised down by a combined 258,000, signaling what some see as “increasing signs of fragility” in the labor market. Simultaneously, the White House announced new tariffs, ranging from 10% to 41%, on goods from 92 countries. This “double whammy” of negative news has intensified fears that ongoing trade wars are damaging the U.S. economy. The combination of a weaker labor market and new trade barriers has rattled investor confidence, fueling expectations that the Federal Reserve may be forced to cut interest rates to support the economy.
The stocks featured in this article are seeing some big returns.
Over the past month, they’ve outpaced the market due to new product launches, positive news, or even a dedicated social media following.
A number of stocks fell in the afternoon session after reports pointed to a broad-based weakening of consumer health, highlighted by rising loan delinquencies and falling spending intentions.
Opendoor said that with the stock facing heightened volatility, the board opted to delay the special meeting to give more time for reviewing market conditions and pricing trends
