The small-cap sector has taken it on the chin in recent months, with widespread fear and macro uncertainty fueling a broad selloff that’s left many fundamentally solid companies trading at multi-year lows. While this environment has caused plenty of investors to retreat to the safety of larger, more liquid names, it’s also creating potential opportunities for those with a longer-term mindset.
The Russell 2000, which tracks small-cap performance, has declined steeply this year—reflecting the risk-off tone in the market. But with this pullback comes the chance to scoop up high-quality businesses at a steep discount to their intrinsic value. Historically, moments of panic often set the stage for future gains, especially in the small-cap space where sentiment tends to swing more dramatically. Right now, the indiscriminate nature of the selling has created an environment where price and value have diverged, opening the door for patient investors to build positions in companies that have been unfairly punished.
One such example is NN, Inc. (NNBR), a precision manufacturing company that operates in sectors like automotive and medical, offering highly engineered solutions. Back in December, the stock was trading around $4, but it has since dropped to roughly $1.73. While that kind of decline might suggest something is seriously broken, the business itself continues to pursue operational improvements and efficiency gains. The company has made progress in reducing debt and focusing its portfolio, and though headwinds remain, the market appears to be pricing in a worst-case scenario. For investors who believe in industrial recovery and the power of long-term restructuring, NNBR may represent deep value.
Another name that’s been dragged down in the recent slide is 1-800-Flowers.com (FLWS). In December, this online retailer was trading near $9 per share. Fast forward to today, and it’s sitting around $5.20. Despite the decline, the underlying business remains healthy. The company continues to benefit from strong seasonal demand, and its ability to cross-sell across its various gifting platforms—ranging from floral to gourmet foods—gives it a unique edge in the e-commerce space. As consumer habits shift further toward online shopping and direct-to-door services, 1-800-Flowers stands to be a long-term winner. The current pullback may have more to do with general retail fatigue and market fear than any material weakness in the business itself.
Conduent (CNDT) rounds out the list, trading at just $2 after closing last year around $4.39. Specializing in business process outsourcing and digital workflow solutions for both government and commercial clients, Conduent has a significant contract base and recurring revenue streams that provide a level of stability often overlooked in smaller tech-enabled firms. While the company has faced its share of execution challenges, it continues to win contracts and drive efficiency through restructuring efforts. If management continues to make progress and market sentiment shifts even slightly, CNDT could see meaningful upside from these levels.
In volatile times like these, it’s easy to let fear cloud judgment. But for investors who can see past short-term noise, the current small-cap selloff may offer a rare opportunity to buy good companies on sale.
