The Russell 2000 (^RUT) is packed with potential breakout stocks, thanks to its focus on smaller companies with high growth potential. However, smaller size also means these businesses often lack the resilience and financial flexibility of large-cap firms, making careful selection crucial.

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. Keeping that in mind, here is one Russell 2000 stock that could deliver strong gains and two that may struggle to keep up.

Two Stocks to Sell:

CONMED (CNMD)

Market Cap: $1.73 billion

With over five decades of experience in surgical innovation since its founding in 1970, CONMED (NYSE: CNMD) develops and manufactures medical devices and equipment for surgical procedures, specializing in orthopedic and general surgery products.

Why Do We Think Twice About CNMD?

1. Sales trends were unexciting over the last five years as its 6.7% annual growth was below the typical healthcare company
2. Subscale operations are evident in its revenue base of $1.32 billion, meaning it has fewer distribution channels than its larger rivals
3. Low returns on capital reflect management’s struggle to allocate funds effectively

CONMED’s stock price of $56.06 implies a valuation ratio of 12.5x forward P/E. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than CNMD.

ANI Pharmaceuticals (ANIP)

Market Cap: $1.15 billion

With a diverse portfolio of 116 pharmaceutical products and a growing rare disease platform, ANI Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ANIP) develops, manufactures, and markets branded and generic prescription pharmaceuticals, with a focus on rare disease treatments.

Why Are We Cautious About ANIP?

1. Revenue base of $674.1 million puts it at a disadvantage compared to larger competitors exhibiting economies of scale
2. Day-to-day expenses have swelled relative to revenue over the last five years as its adjusted operating margin fell by 7 percentage points
3. Push for growth has led to negative returns on capital, signaling value destruction

ANI Pharmaceuticals is trading at $57.27 per share, or 8.9x forward P/E. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why ANIP doesn’t pass our bar.

One Stock to Watch:

Cadre (CDRE)

Market Cap: $1.35 billion

Originally known as Safariland, Cadre (NYSE: CDRE) specializes in manufacturing and distributing safety and survivability equipment for first responders.

Why Are We Positive On CDRE?

1. Annual revenue growth of 9.7% over the last two years beat the sector average and underscores the unique value of its offerings
2. Projected revenue growth of 19.3% for the next 12 months is above its two-year trend, pointing to accelerating demand
3. Earnings growth has trumped its peers over the last two years as its EPS has compounded at 19.7% annually

At $33.13 per share, Cadre trades at 20.8x forward P/E. Is now the right time to buy? See for yourself in our in-depth research report, it’s free.

Stocks We Like Even More

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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.