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21 Best-Performing Small-Cap Stocks for April 2026
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21 Best-Performing Small-Cap Stocks for April 2026
Small-cap stocks can bring diversification and higher growth potential — albeit with higher risks — to a portfolio. Here's what to know before investing.
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10 years of experience Expertise Stock market Investment management Exchange-traded fundsAnna-Louise is a former investing and retirement writer for NerdWallet. She has been reporting on stocks and the economy for more than a decade. Her writing has appeared in Bloomberg, Fast Company, Crain's Chicago Business and USA Today.
Anna-Louise is a former investing and retirement writer for NerdWallet. She has been reporting on stocks and the economy for more than a decade. Her writing has appeared in Bloomberg, Fast Company, Crain's Chicago Business and USA Today. Writer + more + more
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14 years of experience Expertise Small business finances investing bankingRobert Beaupre leads the SMB team at NerdWallet. He has covered financial topics as an editor for more than a decade. Before joining NerdWallet, he served as senior editorial manager of QuinStreet's insurance sites and managing editor of Insure.com. In addition, he served as an online media manager for the University of Nevada, Reno.
Robert Beaupre leads the SMB team at NerdWallet. He has covered financial topics as an editor for more than a decade. Before joining NerdWallet, he served as senior editorial manager of QuinStreet's insurance sites and managing editor of Insure.com. In addition, he served as an online media manager for the University of Nevada, Reno. Published in Head of Content, Small Business + more + moreInvestors salivate over the biggest companies in the market — the likes of Apple, Google and Amazon — but where’s the love for the market’s perpetual underdogs: small-cap stocks?
Investors salivate over the biggest companies in the market — the likes of Apple , Google and Amazon — but where’s the love for the market’s perpetual underdogs: small-cap stocks?When these investments do get some time in the limelight, it’s often for unflattering reasons — violent price swings or fraudulent activity, for example. Small caps can diversify portfolios and bring higher growth potential — albeit with higher risks.
When these investments do get some time in the limelight, it’s often for unflattering reasons — violent price swings or fraudulent activity, for example. Small caps can diversify portfolios and bring higher growth potential — albeit with higher risks.What are small-cap stocks?
What are small-cap stocks?Small-cap stocks are company shares with market values between $250 million and $2 billion, though that range isn't universal
Small-cap stocks are company shares with market values between $250 million and $2 billion, though that range isn't universal FINRA. Market Cap Explained. . "Cap" is shorthand for market capitalization, or the total number of a company’s shares multiplied by its current stock price.The definition of small when it comes to stocks is subjective. The Russell 2000 Index, the first benchmark of small-cap stocks, is the best-known gauge. The market caps of its member companies currently range from about $240 million to $6 billion. The other major indexes tracking these stocks — the Standard & Poor’s SmallCap 600 and the MSCI USA Small Cap Index — include U.S. companies with even broader ranges of market caps.
The definition of small when it comes to stocks is subjective. The Russell 2000 Index, the first benchmark of small-cap stocks, is the best-known gauge. The market caps of its member companies currently range from about $240 million to $6 billion. The other major indexes tracking these stocks — the Standard & Poor’s SmallCap 600 and the MSCI USA Small Cap Index — include U.S. companies with even broader ranges of market caps.Brokerage firms
Brokerage firms
Brokerage firmson Charles Schwab's website
on E*TRADE's website
on Vanguard's website
on Fidelity's website
Small-cap stocks vs. mid-cap and large-cap stocks
Small-cap stocks vs. mid-cap and large-cap stocksAgain, definitions can vary, but here is the breakdown of small-cap stocks versus mid-cap and large-cap stocks, according to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA):
Again, definitions can vary, but here is the breakdown of small-cap stocks versus mid-cap and large-cap stocks, according to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA):Small-cap stocks: Public companies valued at $250 million to $2 billion.
Small-cap stocks: Small-cap stocks: Public companies valued at $250 million to $2 billion.Mid-cap stocks: Companies whose market capitalization is more than $2 billion but less than $10 billion.
Mid-cap stocks: Mid-cap stocks: Companies whose market capitalization is more than $2 billion but less than $10 billion.Large-cap stocks: Companies worth $10 billion or more.
Large-cap stocks: Large-cap stocks: Companies worth $10 billion or more.» MORE: Market capitalization: What it is and why it matters
» MORE: » MORE: Market capitalization: What it is and why it mattersBest small-cap stocks, ordered by one-year performance
Best small-cap stocks, ordered by one-year performanceBelow is a table of the 21 best-performing stocks that are listed on major U.S. exchanges and have a market cap under $10 billion, ordered by one-year returns.
Below is a table of the 21 best-performing stocks that are listed on major U.S. exchanges and have a market cap under $10 billion, ordered by one-year returns.» Want to start trading? Here's our list of the best platforms for day trading.
» Want to start trading? Here's our list of the best platforms for day trading. » Want to start trading? Here's our list of the best platforms for day trading .The best-performing small-cap stock by one-year return is AXT Inc (AXTI), which is up 5535.51%.
The best-performing small-cap stock by one-year return is AXT Inc (AXTI), which is up 5535.51%.
The best-performing small-cap stock by one-year return is AXT Inc (AXTI), which is up 5535.51%.Ticker
TickerCompany
CompanyPerformance (Year)
Performance (Year)AXTI
AXTIAXT Inc
AXT Inc5535.51%
5535.51%BW
BWBabcock & Wilcox Enterprises Inc
Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises Inc3459.48%
3459.48%TNGX
TNGXTango Therapeutics Inc
Tango Therapeutics Inc1651.37%
1651.37%TERN
TERNTerns Pharmaceuticals Inc
Terns Pharmaceuticals Inc1633.44%
1633.44%ABVX
ABVXAbivax ADR
Abivax ADR1544.16%
1544.16%ERAS
ERASErasca Inc
Erasca Inc1543.57%
1543.57%LWLG
LWLGLightwave Logic Inc
Lightwave Logic Inc1459.45%
1459.45%SHAZ
SHAZSharonAI Holdings Inc
SharonAI Holdings Inc1321.67%
1321.67%ONDS
ONDSOndas Inc
Ondas Inc1229.17%
1229.17%AEHR
AEHRAehr Test Systems
Aehr Test Systems1031.99%
1031.99%ANRO
ANROAlto Neuroscience Inc
Alto Neuroscience Inc1011.84%
1011.84%KOD
KODKodiak Sciences Inc
Kodiak Sciences Inc984.25%
984.25%HYMC
HYMCHycroft Mining Holding Corp
Hycroft Mining Holding Corp975.77%
975.77%CELC
CELCCelcuity Inc
Celcuity Inc949.18%
949.18%SLGL
SLGLSol-Gel Technologies Ltd
Sol-Gel Technologies Ltd932.56%
932.56%ARMP
ARMPArmata Pharmaceuticals Inc
Armata Pharmaceuticals Inc925.00%
925.00%NBTX
NBTXNanobiotix ADR
Nanobiotix ADR923.34%
923.34%NEGG
NEGGNewegg Commerce Inc
Newegg Commerce Inc915.86%
915.86%INBX
INBXInhibrx Biosciences Inc
Inhibrx Biosciences Inc901.67%
901.67%RLMD
RLMDRelmada Therapeutics Inc
Relmada Therapeutics Inc890.10%
890.10%LASR
LASRnLIGHT Inc
nLIGHT Inc877.81%
877.81%Source: Finviz. Data is current as of April 24, 2026, and is for informational purposes only.
Source: Finviz. Data is current as of April 24, 2026, and is for informational purposes only.Small caps historically have a relatively high correlation — meaning they tend to move in lockstep — with large-cap stocks. But which group is performing better than the other over a given time frame fluctuates regularly, based on factors such as macroeconomic growth and politics.
Small caps historically have a relatively high correlation — meaning they tend to move in lockstep — with large-cap stocks. But which group is performing better than the other over a given time frame fluctuates regularly, based on factors such as macroeconomic growth and politics.Why small-cap stocks are risky
Why small-cap stocks are riskyAs small-cap businesses expand, their stocks offer a higher growth potential compared with larger companies. But that comes with a greater risk of volatility — including more (and bigger) fluctuations in stock prices and earnings reports. This trade-off is known as the risk premium.
As small-cap businesses expand, their stocks offer a higher growth potential compared with larger companies. But that comes with a greater risk of volatility — including more (and bigger) fluctuations in stock prices and earnings reports. This trade-off is known as the risk premium.» MORE: Diversification: An easy way to reduce your investing risk
» MORE: » MORE: Diversification: An easy way to reduce your investing riskSmall-cap stocks can also be more fertile territory for fraudulent activity.
Small-cap stocks can also be more fertile territory for fraudulent activity.Why small-cap stocks are appealing
Why small-cap stocks are appealingThe sheer number of small-cap stocks means there’s a plethora of options for investing in them. What’s more, the proliferation of exchange-traded funds has made it easier to buy a basket of stocks with a specific investing strategy — growth or value, for example. Small caps can be an under-appreciated — or even overlooked — way to add diversification to your portfolio.
The sheer number of small-cap stocks means there’s a plethora of options for investing in them. What’s more, the proliferation of exchange-traded funds has made it easier to buy a basket of stocks with a specific investing strategy — growth or value , for example. Small caps can be an under-appreciated — or even overlooked — way to add diversification to your portfolio.» MORE: Small-cap ETFs
» MORE: » MORE: Small-cap ETFsWhy small-cap stocks are not that different
Why small-cap stocks are not that that differentIt’s important to know what makes small-cap stocks distinctive, but you shouldn’t necessarily obsess over the differences. They have a lot in common with the others that might be in your portfolio: They trade on exchanges, their prices are published intraday, Wall Street analysts write research reports about them, and by virtue of being public, these companies must disclose a wealth of information to investors.
It’s important to know what makes small-cap stocks distinctive, but you shouldn’t necessarily obsess over the differences. They have a lot in common with the others that might be in your portfolio: They trade on exchanges, their prices are published intraday, Wall Street analysts write research reports about them, and by virtue of being public, these companies must disclose a wealth of information to investors.More on stock investing
More on stock investing More on stock investing How to invest in stocks How to research stocks Stock market basicsHelpful resources
Helpful resources How to Invest in Stocks Individual Retirement Account (IRA): What It Is & How It Works The Best Index Funds and How to Start Investing More like this Investment Basics Investing Stocks Best Robo-Advisors: Top Picks for 2026 We spent hours testing robo-advisors to find ones that charge low fees but still offer high-quality features, including automated portfolio rebalancing, exposure to a range of asset classes and financial planning tools. 2 By Alana Benson, Sabrina Parys Investing in Dividend Stocks: Guide, Calculator and Top 7 Yields for April 2026 Dividend stocks can be a great choice for investors looking for passive income and portfolio stability. Here's what to look for when evaluating dividend stocks and how to invest in them. 2 By Chris Davis, Sam Taube Best Brokers for Beginner Investors: Top Picks for 2026 We spent hours analyzing the best brokers for beginners to find ones that offer low costs, helpful educational content and a broad investment selection. Our testers also looked for trading platforms that are easy to navigate. 2 By Alana Benson, Bella Avila Best Investments: Where to Invest in 2026 Wondering where to invest your money this year? High-yield savings accounts, CDs, bonds, funds and stocks are all considered among the best investments available. Learn more about the risks, potential returns and how to get started. 2 By Chris Davis, Alieza Durana Best Brokerage Accounts for Online Investing and Stock Trading in 2026 Based on hours of analysis and hands-on testing, here are our picks for the best brokerage accounts based on their low fees, strong platforms, quality customer support and other factors. Chris Davis Best Robo-Advisors: Top Picks for 2026 We spent hours testing robo-advisors to find ones that charge low fees but still offer high-quality features, including automated portfolio rebalancing, exposure to a range of asset classes and financial planning tools. 2 By Alana Benson, Sabrina Parys Investing in Dividend Stocks: Guide, Calculator and Top 7 Yields for April 2026 Dividend stocks can be a great choice for investors looking for passive income and portfolio stability. Here's what to look for when evaluating dividend stocks and how to invest in them. 2 By Chris Davis, Sam Taube Best Brokers for Beginner Investors: Top Picks for 2026 We spent hours analyzing the best brokers for beginners to find ones that offer low costs, helpful educational content and a broad investment selection. Our testers also looked for trading platforms that are easy to navigate. 2 By Alana Benson, Bella Avila Best Investments: Where to Invest in 2026 Wondering where to invest your money this year? High-yield savings accounts, CDs, bonds, funds and stocks are all considered among the best investments available. Learn more about the risks, potential returns and how to get started. 2 By Chris Davis, Alieza Durana Best Brokerage Accounts for Online Investing and Stock Trading in 2026 Based on hours of analysis and hands-on testing, here are our picks for the best brokerage accounts based on their low fees, strong platforms, quality customer support and other factors. Chris Davis Best Robo-Advisors: Top Picks for 2026 We spent hours testing robo-advisors to find ones that charge low fees but still offer high-quality features, including automated portfolio rebalancing, exposure to a range of asset classes and financial planning tools. 2 By Alana Benson, Sabrina Parys Investing in Dividend Stocks: Guide, Calculator and Top 7 Yields for April 2026 Dividend stocks can be a great choice for investors looking for passive income and portfolio stability. Here's what to look for when evaluating dividend stocks and how to invest in them. 2 By Chris Davis, Sam Taube Best Brokers for Beginner Investors: Top Picks for 2026 We spent hours analyzing the best brokers for beginners to find ones that offer low costs, helpful educational content and a broad investment selection. Our testers also looked for trading platforms that are easy to navigate. 2 By Alana Benson, Bella Avila Best Investments: Where to Invest in 2026 Wondering where to invest your money this year? High-yield savings accounts, CDs, bonds, funds and stocks are all considered among the best investments available. Learn more about the risks, potential returns and how to get started. 2 By Chris Davis, Alieza Durana