1 Russell 2000 Stock to Own for Decades and 2 We Question

Small-cap stocks in the Russell 2000 (^RUT) can be a goldmine for investors looking beyond the usual large-cap names. But with less stability and fewer resources than their bigger counterparts, these companies face steeper challenges in scaling their businesses.

The high-risk, high-reward nature of the Russell 2000 makes stock selection critical, and we’re here to guide you toward the right ones. That said, here is one Russell 2000 stock that could deliver strong gains and two that may struggle to keep up.

Two Stocks to Sell:

TTM Technologies (TTMI)

Market Cap: $4.78 billion

As one of the world's largest printed circuit board manufacturers with facilities spanning North America and Asia, TTM Technologies (NASDAQ:TTMI) manufactures printed circuit boards (PCBs) and radio frequency (RF) components for aerospace, defense, automotive, and telecommunications industries.

Why Are We Hesitant About TTMI?

1. Annual revenue growth of 4.4% over the last five years was below our standards for the business services sector
2. Capital intensity has ramped up over the last five years as its free cash flow margin decreased by 6.1 percentage points
3. ROIC of 5% reflects management’s challenges in identifying attractive investment opportunities

At $46.35 per share, TTM Technologies trades at 20.6x forward P/E. If you’re considering TTMI for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.

ASGN (ASGN)

Market Cap: $2.35 billion

Evolving from its roots in IT staffing to become a high-end technology consulting powerhouse, ASGN (NYSE:ASGN) provides specialized IT consulting services and staffing solutions to Fortune 1000 companies and U.S. federal government agencies.

Why Do We Avoid ASGN?

1. Products and services are facing significant end-market challenges during this cycle as sales have declined by 6.8% annually over the last two years
2. Projected sales for the next 12 months are flat and suggest demand will be subdued
3. Incremental sales over the last five years were much less profitable as its earnings per share fell by 1.8% annually while its revenue grew

ASGN is trading at $53.66 per share, or 11.5x forward P/E. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including ASGN in your portfolio.

One Stock to Buy:

Inter Parfums (IPAR)

Market Cap: $3.65 billion

With licenses to produce colognes and perfumes under brands such as Kate Spade, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Abercrombie & Fitch, Inter Parfums (NASDAQ:IPAR) manufactures and distributes fragrances worldwide.

Why Should You Buy IPAR?

1. Brand and reputation resonate with consumers, as seen in its above-market 14.6% annual sales growth over the last three years
2. Free cash flow margin grew by 8.7 percentage points over the last year, giving the company more chips to play with
3. Stellar returns on capital showcase management’s ability to surface highly profitable business ventures

Inter Parfums’s stock price of $113.94 implies a valuation ratio of 21.1x forward P/E. Is now a good time to buy? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.

Stocks We Like Even More

Trump’s April 2025 tariff bombshell triggered a massive market selloff, but stocks have since staged an impressive recovery, leaving those who panic sold on the sidelines.

Take advantage of the rebound by checking out our Top 5 Growth Stocks for this month. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 183% over the last five years (as of March 31st 2025).

Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-small-cap company Exlservice (+354% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today for free. Find your next big winner with StockStory today. Find your next big winner with StockStory today

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