Universal Technical Institute, Inc.

Now is a good time to buy shares of small-cap company Universal Technical Institute, <a href="https://www.barrons.com/articles/buy-universal-technical-institute-stock-price-pick-08478871?mod=RTA">says</a> Barron's. Although its quotations <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/UTI/">have collapsed</a> from the maximum marks, their growth potential is almost 40%. This is because the company trains specialists that artificial intelligence (AI) is unlikely to replace in the near future, the publication explains.

They won't be replaced by AI: Should you buy shares in a company that trains mechanics and welders?

aTyr Pharma, Inc.

Freedom Broker and other analysts have downgraded aTyr Pharma, a small-cap developer of therapies for pulmonary sarcoidosis, after its lead drug candidate failed to show meaningful results over placebo in final-phase trials. Freedom Broker analysts said the outcome reduces the likelihood of approval and undermines the company’s financial outlook.

Shares of aTyr plunge 80%, analysts downgrade ratings as lead drug fails trial

Anywhere Real Estate Inc.

Compass, Inc.

Shares of small-cap Anywhere Real Estate, owner of the Sotheby’s International Realty and Century 21 brands, soared nearly 46% yesterday, September 22, to the highest levels since mid-2022. Investors were encouraged by the <a href="https://ir.anywhere.re/news/news-details/2025/Compass-Announces-Combination-with-Anywhere-Real-Estate-in-All-Stock-Transaction-2025-0kNgsIBFA4/default.aspx">announcement</a>&nbsp;that the company would do a combination with a peer, Compass. The deal will be one of the largest ever in the residential brokerage industry, the Wall Street Journal <a href="https://www.wsj.com/real-estate/brokerage-giant-compass-agrees-to-acquire-rival-anywhere-for-1-6-billion-1680a8c3">reports</a>.

Parent of brokerage brands incl. Sotheby’s to be acquired, stock hits three-year high

The ODP Corporation

Amazon.com, Inc.

Shares of the ODP Corporation, the small-cap parent company of Office Depot and OfficeMax, <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/ODP/">soared</a> by a third yesterday, September 22. This happened after it <a href="https://investor.theodpcorp.com/news-releases/news-release-details/odp-corporation-be-acquired-atlas-holdings-all-cash-transaction">announced</a>&nbsp;a definitive agreement to be acquired by Atlas Holdings in an all-cash transaction at a premium. The acquisition could "reshape the competitive landscape for B2B services and office supply distribution in North America,"&nbsp;<a href="https://www.channelchek.com/news-channel/atlas-holdings-to-acquire-the-odp-corporation-in-1-billion-all-cash-deal">says</a>&nbsp;Noble Capital Markets.

Office Depot parent ODP to be acquired, go private: What this means for investors

Intel Corporation

MP Materials Corp.

M-tron Industries, Inc.

Innovative Aerosystems, Inc.

On August 22, Intel <a href="https://www.intc.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/1748/intel-and-trump-administration-reach-historic-agreement-to">announced</a>&nbsp;that the U.S. government would own nearly 10% of the company, converting government grants into shares. The government became Intel’s largest shareholder and acquired the stake at a 17.5% discount to the prevailing market price. Following the deal, Intel <a href="https://en.oninvest.com/article/intel-has-warned-of-risks-due-to-the-us-government-s-acquisition-of-10-of-its-shares">warned</a>&nbsp;investors that the arrival of a state shareholder could pose risks to its overseas business, including the potential for additional regulations and restrictions.

After Intel, what small caps could benefit from government stakes in defense firms?

IonQ, Inc.

Rigetti Computing, Inc.

D-Wave Quantum Inc.

Investors interested in quantum computing should look at mid-cap companies D-Wave Quantum and Rigetti Computing, as well as the larger IonQ, <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2025/09/22/3-quantum-computing-stocks-that-could-make-a-milli/">writes</a>&nbsp;Keithen Drury, a contributing Motley Fool technology analyst. Each company already has advantages over peers as the quantum computing arms race is heating up and could start to shape up over the next few years, Drury argues. Still, investors must&nbsp;understand the risk&nbsp;and keep position sizing relatively limited.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Motley Fool names three quantum computing stocks to 'make a millionaire'

Energy Fuels Inc.

Uranium Energy Corp.

Ondas Inc.

InvestorPlace markets analyst Thomas Yeung has <a href="https://investorplace.com/2025/09/4-stocks-trillion-dollar-government-spending-spree/">spotlighted</a>&nbsp;three small-cap companies that could benefit from U.S. national security investments in private businesses, such as Intel. Two are in the energy sector and stand to benefit from efforts to reshape the nuclear fuel supply chain. The third, from the defense sector, is seen as a potential beneficiary of the creation of the new U.S. "Golden Dome" missile defense system.

Beyond Intel: Small energy, defense stocks set to gain from Trump natsec spending

The small- and mid-cap tracking Russell 2000 index rose to a record high yesterday, September 18, refreshing the previous high mark from 2021. It came a day after the Fed cut interest rates. The Russell 2000 is the "clear winner" from the Fed decision,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.channelchek.com/news-channel/russell-2000-surges-to-record-levels-as-fed-rate-cut-fuels-small-cap-rally">says</a>&nbsp;Noble Capital Markets in a note. Analysts expect the rally to continue, but fear markets may be overheating.

Russell 2000 is 'clear winner' from Fed rate cut, reaches new all-time high

Option Care Health, Inc.

BrightSpring Health Services, Inc.

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated

Barron's <a href="https://www.barrons.com/articles/buy-option-care-health-stock-price-pick-1e20146a?mod=hp_STOCKPICKS_1">says</a>&nbsp;that shares of Option Care Health, a small company that provides home infusion services, offer a combination of solid growth tailwinds and compelling value that deserves a closer look. The stock price fell last year, but now there is room for a rebound as demand for at-home and alternate site medical services rises.

Barron's thinks infusion therapy leader Option Care is undervalued, says 'buy'


The long-expected cut helped propel the Russell 2000 higher, even as the broader market finished the day lower

'Fragile rally': Russell 2000 falls short of all-time high after Fed rate cut

Krispy Kreme, Inc.

ON Semiconductor Corporation

FBI Director Kash Patel spurred a rally in Krispy Kreme shares yesterday, September 17,&nbsp;after he said they were a solid investment and that he had invested tens of thousands of dollars in the stock. Krispy Kreme ended the day with a 12% gain.

FBI Director Patel calls Krispy Kreme stock a 'buy' and sets off a rally


Toll Brothers, Inc.

Beazer Homes USA, Inc.

KB Home

Barron's has <a href="https://www.barrons.com/articles/stocks-small-caps-fed-rate-cut-295f287b?mod=RTA">named</a> eight small-cap stocks that are set to "pop"&nbsp;on the Fed decision today, when it's "almost a given" that the&nbsp;Fed will cut rates&nbsp;by 25 basis points. Small caps have&nbsp;lesser ability to navigate treacherous economic and financial conditions, meaning their stock prices have more to lose on the downside and more to gain on the upside. Barron's looked for names that have gained even more than the Russell 2000 since August 1, are in economically sensitive sectors (e.g., communications, commodities, oil and gas, tech, and industrial), and have climbed more on the back of economic expectations and less on their own earnings reports.