5 Best Small-Cap US Stocks With 10 Years Earning Growth

Table of Contents

Disclaimer

All articles are for education purposes only, and not to be taken as advice to buy/sell. Please do your own due diligence before committing to any trade or investments.

Disclaimer

All articles are for education purposes only, and not to be taken as advice to buy/sell. Please do your own due diligence before committing to any trade or investments.

Table of Contents

Small-Cap American Stocks Flying Under The Radar

There are many US companies with an illustrious track record of growing their dividend payment every year. The crème of the crop are those companies termed as “Dividend Kings”. These companies have grown their dividend payments for 50 consecutive years. There are currently 32 Dividend Kings and one can access the full list through the suredividend site.

While there are probably hundreds of US companies that have demonstrated the ability to grow their dividend payments for 10 consecutive years, it is probably a more uncommon feat to generate 10 years of consecutive earnings growth.

14 S&P 500 companies have successfully grown their earnings consecutively for 10 years. This will likely be an article for another day. Instead, what I will like to highlight in this article are 5 small-cap US stocks you have never heard of before that have achieved this accolade of growing their earnings for 10 consecutive years.

These companies have a market capitalization of less than US$10bn and if they can mimic their past earnings performances, their share price runway will likely be a long one. Do note, however, that due to their small market cap nature, these stocks tend to exhibit greater volatility vs. their blue-chip counterparts.

This article is not meant to be a recommendation to BUY into these counters but a reference point for further stock investigation/evaluation.

Without further ado, let’s reveal the 5 small-cap US stocks with an impeccable earnings growth record over the past decade.

stock trends higher

#1: Otter Tail (OTTR)

The first small-cap US stock in this list, in no particular order, is a company called Otter Tail. Otter Tail is a US energy company that primarily operates in the electric (produces and sells electricity), manufacturing (fabricates metal components), and plastic segments (pipes for water uses).

The company primarily conducts its operations and acquires the majority of its revenue in the U.S. in the states of Minnesota, South Dakota, and North Dakota, but also generates some revenue from its operations in Mexico, Canada, and Panama.

The majority of the company’s revenue is derived from the Electric segment and commercial customers, although it generates revenue from residential and industrial customers, as well.

Being in the utility sector, OTTR can be considered a defensive counter and this is pretty evident from its earnings track record. The company was marginally loss-making in 2012 but since then, it has managed to turn the corner and generated earnings growth every year thereafter.

Small-cap us stocks (OTTR)

Being a utility company, it is not surprising that the company is also a regular dividend payer, with its dividend per share increasing every year since 2013 and currently yields 2.8%.

One key risk to take note of for the counter. OTTR has generated negative free cash flow for the past 2 years and this trend is expected to continue in 2021 as CAPEX remains elevated. That has also resulted in a rising net debt trend.

OTTR has appreciated by c.30+% in YTD 2021 and is currently at an all-time high level. Investors who believe that its rising net debt level and negative free cash flow situation is not a major cause for concern might wish to ride on the bandwagon of this utilities counter in 2H21.

OTTR 8 sep

Looking at the chart on TradersGPS, recent re-entry signals appeared from mid-July at $50/share. While typically it would not be wise to “chase” the stock, aggressive traders who are bullish on OTTR may still keep a lookout for entry opportunities given the strength of the trend.

#2: UFP Industries (UFPI)

The second small-cap US stock in this list is UFP Industries (UFPI) that operates in the Basic Materials sector and the Lumber industry to be specific. UFPI has a current market cap of US$4.6bn.

The company produces and sells lumber and treated wood products in three main customer categories: retail, industrial, and construction.

The retail category, which generates the most revenue, sells lumber products to retailers, including big-box home improvement retailers. The industrial category sells wood pallets, boxes, packaging crates, and other containers used for industrial shipping. The construction category sells manufactured housing and building materials to the construction industry.

The vast majority of the company’s revenue is generated in the United States.

Small-cap us stocks (UFPI)

UFPI has been affected by the volatility seen in lumber prices of late. Nonetheless, the counter is still up an impressive 35% YTD2021 and over the past 10 years, have generated a return of 840%, crushing the S&P 500’s 10-year return of 371%.

During this period, UFPI grew its earnings consistently every year from $5m in 2011 to $247m in 2020. The street expects UFPI’s earnings to be at a record level in 2021 as a result of surging lumber prices in 1H21 but that earnings momentum will likely taper off in 2022.

Besides growing its earnings consistently over the past 10 years, UFPI has also been growing its dividend payment, from $0.13/share in 2011 to $0.50/share in 2020, with an impressive dividend growth CAGR of 39% over the past decade.

UFPI is an interesting candidate to play the current US housing boom. Although lumber prices can exhibit significant volatility, UFPI has been able to maintain its impeccable earnings growth over the last 10-years which is no easy feat.

UFPI 8sep

UFPI seems to be trending sideways at the moment, with the support level at $72.50. Traders and investors who are bullish on UFPI could take the recent pullback as an entry opportunity. Otherwise, following the system, this would be a time to have exited positions and stay clear of the stock.

#3: Grand Canyon Education (LOPE)

The third small-cap US stock in this list is Grand Canyon Education (LOPE). This company is an American for-profit education company that operates a private university in Phoenix, Arizona, as well as online educational programs.

The company offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs, including business, education, nursing and health, and liberal arts.

Grand Canyon Education’s on-campus program enrolls approximately 15,000 students, while its online program enrolls over 50,000 students. The university’s undergraduate programs enroll approximately 60% of its overall student base and are the largest revenue driver for the company.

The education industry is largely seen as a defensive business. The exception is if your education business is based in China.

Small-cap us stocks (LOPE EPS trend)

Consequently, LOPE has been able to grow its earnings from $51m in 2011 to $257m in 2020. The street expects LOPE to maintain that earnings growth momentum heading into 2021 and 2022, with the company’s EPS forecasted at $6.10 and $6.80 respectively.

Small-cap us stocks (LOPE FCF trend)

Unlike OTTR, LOPE has been able to generate a ton of free cash flow over the past 3-4 years as a result of tapering Capex requirements. Consequently, the company can fund its growth through organic means without the need to raise equity nor debt substantially.

While the company has underperformed the market substantially in YTD2021, this is a counter that has caught my attention and is worthy of further investigation.

LOPE 8sep

Similar to UFPI, LOPE appears to be trending sideways as well. Noting here that the current mode is bearish, traders could also keep a lookout for shorting opportunities should further signals appear.

 

#4: First Finl Bankshares (FFIN)

The fourth small-cap US stock in this list is First Finl Bankshares (FFIN) which is a financial and bank holding company.

The company conducts a full-service commercial banking business with operations primarily located in Texas. Although the company operates under one bank charter, it manages operations in a decentralized manner through local staff and advisory boards.

The company primarily serves small and midsize nonmetropolitan markets and has grown organically, through de novo branch openings, and acquisitions.

A majority of its loan portfolio is in real estate.

As can be seen from the chart below, FFIN has been very impressive in growing both its top and bottom-line over the past decade. Net income grew from $68m to $202m in 2020, with the street expecting that momentum to continue into 2021.

Small-cap us stocks (FFIN Net income trend)

Beyond just growing its net income, FFIN is also a consistent free cash flow generator, with its free cash flow hitting $194m in 2020 (similar to net income level).

Small-cap us stocks (FFIN DPS trend)

Consequently, the company has been able to also grow its dividends per share from $0.24/share in 2011 to $0.51/share in 2020 and currently sports a dividend yield of 1.3%.

FFIN 8sep

While FFIN was initially trending sideways, the support around $47/share has just recently been broken. In fact, the TradersGPS system gave a shorting signal just last week at slightly below $47/share. The downward move has continued to the current share price at $44.83, and it remains to be seen if this would persist.

 

#5: LCI Indus (LCII)

The last small-cap US stock in this list is LCI Indus (LCII) which operates in the recreational vehicles industry. The company supplies domestic and international components for the original equipment manufacturers of recreational vehicles and adjacent industries including buses; trailers used to haul boats, livestock, equipment, and other cargo.

It has two reportable segments – the original equipment manufacturers (OEM) segment and the aftermarket segment.

The OEM Segment manufactures or distributes components for the OEMs of RVs and adjacent industries, including buses; trailers used to haul boats, livestock, equipment and other cargo; trucks; pontoon boats; trains; manufactured homes; and modular housing.

Its products are sold primarily to major manufacturers of RVs such as Thor Industries, Forest River, Winnebago and other RV OEMs, and to manufacturers in adjacent industries.

 (LCII EPS trend)

Despite a slight dip in net income generated in 2019 from $149m to $147m, LCII was able to grow its EPS marginally from $5.83 to $5.84 as a result of its share buyback policy. This is made possible because the company is consistently generating free cash flow.

This is a small-cap stock that the street loves, with an average target price given by the street at $169/share, 20% higher than the current level. The street expects LCII EPS growth momentum to continue in 2021 and 2022, achieving a forecasted record EPS of $11.60 in 2022.

 (LCII historical PER multiple trend)

If that EPS can be achieved, the counter will be trading at a forward 2022 PER of 12x vs. its historical average PER multiple of c.20x. This gives plenty of re-rating opportunity for this small-cap US stock with an impeccable earnings growth track record.

LCII 8sep

LCII has been trending sideways over the medium term, and downwards on the short term. According to TradersGPS, a shorting signal has just appeared as well. If the current low of $134.2/share gets broken, that would be the trigger to enter a short trade. Seeing the longer-term support level around $126.20, the risk to reward ratio could be justifiable as well.

 

Conclusion: Best Small Cap Stocks For Long Term Investment

Small-cap stocks can be extremely volatile. However, the rewards can be tremendous as well when you select the right counter to stay vested for the long term.

The 5 small-cap US stocks highlighted in this list all have a solid track record of earnings growth over the past decade. While no one can be certain that their consecutive earnings growth trend can be maintained over the coming decade, it might be worth your attention to investigate these counters in more detail as they could very well turn out to become multi-baggers stocks.

Among the 5 small-cap stocks, I do intend to study LOPE, FFIN and LCII a little more in-depth as these 3 stocks have the greatest potential to maintain their earnings growth in the next 3-4 years, in my view.

Once again, this list of stocks is for your reading pleasure and reference and not an inducement for purchase. Please do your necessary due diligence, particularly considering that these stocks could exhibit greater volatility vs. your typical blue-chip counters.

 

If you enjoyed reading this article and various other investment + personal finance articles, do visit New Academy of Finance. Royston has more than 10 years of buy and sell side experience as a financial analyst. He constantly posts interesting, valuable and actionable articles.

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Jingting

Newbie in the markets. All the more reason to learn, all the better for making my money work harder. Also, good things in life are meant to be shared~

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