Thus far, 2026 has seen small-caps gain renewed market momentum and corresponding investor interest. After more than a decade of large-cap dominance, the conditions for a meaningful shift in market prominence are taking shape: the valuation discount of smaller companies relative to their large-cap counterparts has widened to its deepest level since the late 1990s, and forward earnings estimates increasingly favor the small and mid-cap space heading into 2026 and beyond. 

For investors looking to identify opportunities amid an inconsistent market, we believe the potential is enticing. 

However, while small caps are undoubtedly rallying and generating buzz, the most visible and discussed companies may not necessarily be the ones worth…