1 Russell 2000 Stock to Target This Week and 2 We Brush Off

1 Russell 2000 Stock to Target This Week and 2 We Brush Off

Jabin Bastian

Thu, February 26, 2026 at 8:43 PM GMT+9 3 min read

In this article:

•                                       StockStory Top Pick 
  

  BMI

  -1.61%

 MBIN  

 +1.69%  

 

 

 MBINL  

 -0.32%  

 

 

 MBINM  

 -0.12%  

 

 

 MBINN  

 -0.10%  

The Russell 2000 (^RUT) is home to many small-cap stocks, offering investors the chance to uncover hidden gems before the broader market catches on. However, these companies often come with higher volatility and risk, as their smaller size makes them more vulnerable to economic downturns.

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 be the next big thing and two that may face some trouble.

Two Stocks to Sell:

ABM (ABM)

Market Cap: $2.57 billion

With roots dating back to 1909 as a window washing company, ABM Industries (NYSE:ABM) provides integrated facility management, infrastructure, and mobility solutions across various sectors including commercial, manufacturing, education, and aviation.

Why Does ABM Worry Us?

Organic sales performance over the past two years indicates the company may need to make strategic adjustments or rely on M&A to catalyze faster growth

Earnings per share were flat over the last two years while its revenue grew, showing its incremental sales were less profitable

Lacking free cash flow margin got worse over the last five years as its investment needs accelerated

ABM’s stock price of $43.77 implies a valuation ratio of 11x forward P/E. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including ABM in your portfolio, it’s free.

Merchants Bancorp (MBIN)

Market Cap: $1.99 billion

With a strategic focus on low-risk, government-backed lending programs, Merchants Bancorp (NASDAQCM:MBIN) is an Indiana-based bank holding company specializing in multi-family mortgage banking, mortgage warehousing, and traditional banking services.

Why Are We Wary of MBIN?

Inferior net interest margin of 2.9% means it must compensate for lower profitability through increased loan originations

Performance over the past five years shows its incremental sales were less profitable as its earnings per share were flat

Tier one capital ratio of 9.2% is insufficient to meet regulatory requirements, increasing the probability of government intervention

Merchants Bancorp is trading at $43.27 per share, or 0.9x forward P/B. To fully understand why you should be careful with MBIN, check out our full research report (it’s free).

One Stock to Buy:

Badger Meter (BMI)

Market Cap: $4.55 billion

The developer of the world’s first frost-proof water meter in 1905, Badger Meter (NYSE:BMI) provides water control and measure equipment to various industries.

Why Is BMI a Good Business?

Market share has increased this cycle as its 16.6% annual revenue growth over the last five years was exceptional

Incremental sales over the last two years have been highly profitable as its earnings per share increased by 23.6% annually, topping its revenue gains

Strong free cash flow margin of 16.1% enables it to reinvest or return capital consistently, and its improved cash conversion implies it’s becoming a less capital-intensive business

 






Story Continues  

At $158.73 per share, Badger Meter trades at 31x forward P/E. Is now the right time to buy? See for yourself in our full research report, it’s free.

High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions

If your portfolio success hinges on just 4 stocks, your wealth is built on fragile ground. You have a small window to secure high-quality assets before the market widens and these prices disappear.

Don’t wait for the next volatility shock. Check out our Top 5 Strong Momentum Stocks for this week. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 244% over the last five years (as of June 30, 2025).

Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,326% between June 2020 and June 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-micro-cap company Kadant (+351% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.

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