Markets
29 Things to Look For in a Microcap Stock
29 Things to Look For in a Microcap Stock
Today’s infographic corresponds with the Howard Group’s Opportunity Knocks Challenge, which we are proud to sponsor. In this free challenge, investors can pick a portfolio of stocks from the public companies they represent – with play money of course. The investor with the best performing portfolio wins the trip of a lifetime valued between $11,000 and $15,000.
There are some incredible trips available:
- Head to Pamplona to literally run with the bulls
- Race Ferraris and Lambos in Vegas
- Visit exotic Vietnam and Cambodia for a river cruise
- Take a bite of a the Big Apple with a big shopping spree
- Hit the famous Wailea Golf Club in Maui for a few rounds
Definitely consider registering for this free contest today. We want to see a Visual Capitalist reader as the winner!
The Microcap Opportunity
We worked with Howard Group to come up with 29 points to consider when looking at investing in a microcap stock. The key here is due diligence. Good research can help you mitigate the risks that these stocks have.
Benefits of microcaps:
- Higher potential returns
- Small companies outperform big companies over time
- Valuation disconnect
- Lack of visibility = higher arbitrage
- Nimble companies and boards
- M&A potential
Downsides of microcaps:
- Higher risk
- Less analyst coverage = less due diligence by market
- Less trading volume
Investors who do strong due diligence can mitigate the downsides to trading microcaps and can reap big gains.
Due Diligence Checklist
The People
Good people behind a company make a difference – especially for small companies that have big growth potential.
Here are the key things to look for:
- A proven track record in building successful businesses
- A well-established network of connections and ability to nurture strategic relations
- Ability to raise capital in a tough economic environment
- Skin in the game: ownership of shares of the company represents real stake
- Management that is respectful of shareholder funds: not spending excessive money on General and Administrative (G&A) expenses or overpaying themselves
Pro tip: Review annual Information Circular for excessive levels of management compensation or director’s fees, insider shareholdings, any past bankruptcies, and other Boards that senior officers serve on or previously sat as a director.
Capital Structure
The structure of microcaps can tell a story on its own. Here is what to look for:
- The percentage of holdings of retail vs institutional investors, as well as insiders
- How many shares are outstanding and fully diluted
- The expiry dates and strike prices of warrants
Pro Tip: Look at previous financings. Was each subsequent financing done at a higher level than the last? Or does the company have a history of dilution?
The Numbers
The numbers are the meat and potatoes of this checklist. Look at:
- Working capital
- Quarterly expenses with special attention to G&A
- Debt – repayment schedule and interest rates
- Generating free cash flow, or the potential to do so in the near future
- Ability to maintain profitable margins
Pro Tip: Are revenues based on the one-time sale of a product or is there a strong recurring revenue model?
Differentiators and Catalysts
Does the company have an advantage over competitors? What catalysts are on the horizon that could potential impact share price?
- What sets the company apart from its peers?
- Product features, attributes and benefits
- Service features, attributes and benefits
- The company’s client list
- Visibility on events or milestones that will bring significant shareholder value
Pro Tip: Look at management’s past performance to see if they have done what they said they’d do. Have they met the timelines and objectives previously stated?
Valuation:
Relative to the market, is this company fairly valued? Check out:
- For a revenue producing company: how much future potential is built into the stock price versus the fundamental financial situation.
- For a non-revenue producing company: how much potential is built into the ultimate value of the asset and its economic viability
Tricks of the Trade:
Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Could you sell your holdings within three trading days without incurring a loss greater than 10%?
Keep an eye on the insiders. Insiders know the internal workings of the company and buying or selling could be a signal.
Watch the stock like a hawk. A sudden price drop could indicate a pending financing or negative news.
Analyze the analysts. Watch what the analysts are saying and if their opinions are shifting.
Markets
The European Stock Market: Attractive Valuations Offer Opportunities
On average, the European stock market has valuations that are nearly 50% lower than U.S. valuations. But how can you access the market?
European Stock Market: Attractive Valuations Offer Opportunities
Europe is known for some established brands, from L’Oréal to Louis Vuitton. However, the European stock market offers additional opportunities that may be lesser known.
The above infographic, sponsored by STOXX, outlines why investors may want to consider European stocks.
Attractive Valuations
Compared to most North American and Asian markets, European stocks offer lower or comparable valuations.
Index | Price-to-Earnings Ratio | Price-to-Book Ratio |
---|---|---|
EURO STOXX 50 | 14.9 | 2.2 |
STOXX Europe 600 | 14.4 | 2 |
U.S. | 25.9 | 4.7 |
Canada | 16.1 | 1.8 |
Japan | 15.4 | 1.6 |
Asia Pacific ex. China | 17.1 | 1.8 |
Data as of February 29, 2024. See graphic for full index names. Ratios based on trailing 12 month financials. The price to earnings ratio excludes companies with negative earnings.
On average, European valuations are nearly 50% lower than U.S. valuations, potentially offering an affordable entry point for investors.
Research also shows that lower price ratios have historically led to higher long-term returns.
Market Movements Not Closely Connected
Over the last decade, the European stock market had low-to-moderate correlation with North American and Asian equities.
The below chart shows correlations from February 2014 to February 2024. A value closer to zero indicates low correlation, while a value of one would indicate that two regions are moving in perfect unison.
EURO STOXX 50 | STOXX EUROPE 600 | U.S. | Canada | Japan | Asia Pacific ex. China |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EURO STOXX 50 | 1.00 | 0.97 | 0.55 | 0.67 | 0.24 | 0.43 |
STOXX EUROPE 600 | 1.00 | 0.56 | 0.71 | 0.28 | 0.48 | |
U.S. | 1.00 | 0.73 | 0.12 | 0.25 | ||
Canada | 1.00 | 0.22 | 0.40 | |||
Japan | 1.00 | 0.88 | ||||
Asia Pacific ex. China | 1.00 |
Data is based on daily USD returns.
European equities had relatively independent market movements from North American and Asian markets. One contributing factor could be the differing sector weights in each market. For instance, technology makes up a quarter of the U.S. market, but health care and industrials dominate the broader European market.
Ultimately, European equities can enhance portfolio diversification and have the potential to mitigate risk for investors.
Tracking the Market
For investors interested in European equities, STOXX offers a variety of flagship indices:
Index | Description | Market Cap |
---|---|---|
STOXX Europe 600 | Pan-regional, broad market | €10.5T |
STOXX Developed Europe | Pan-regional, broad-market | €9.9T |
STOXX Europe 600 ESG-X | Pan-regional, broad market, sustainability focus | €9.7T |
STOXX Europe 50 | Pan-regional, blue-chip | €5.1T |
EURO STOXX 50 | Eurozone, blue-chip | €3.5T |
Data is as of February 29, 2024. Market cap is free float, which represents the shares that are readily available for public trading on stock exchanges.
The EURO STOXX 50 tracks the Eurozone’s biggest and most traded companies. It also underlies one of the world’s largest ranges of ETFs and mutual funds. As of November 2023, there were €27.3 billion in ETFs and €23.5B in mutual fund assets under management tracking the index.
“For the past 25 years, the EURO STOXX 50 has served as an accurate, reliable and tradable representation of the Eurozone equity market.”
— Axel Lomholt, General Manager at STOXX
Partnering with STOXX to Track the European Stock Market
Are you interested in European equities? STOXX can be a valuable partner:
- Comprehensive, liquid and investable ecosystem
- European heritage, global reach
- Highly sophisticated customization capabilities
- Open architecture approach to using data
- Close partnerships with clients
- Part of ISS STOXX and Deutsche Börse Group
With a full suite of indices, STOXX can help you benchmark against the European stock market.
Learn how STOXX’s European indices offer liquid and effective market access.
-
Economy2 days ago
Economic Growth Forecasts for G7 and BRICS Countries in 2024
The IMF has released its economic growth forecasts for 2024. How do the G7 and BRICS countries compare?
-
Markets1 week ago
U.S. Debt Interest Payments Reach $1 Trillion
U.S. debt interest payments have surged past the $1 trillion dollar mark, amid high interest rates and an ever-expanding debt burden.
-
United States2 weeks ago
Ranked: The Largest U.S. Corporations by Number of Employees
We visualized the top U.S. companies by employees, revealing the massive scale of retailers like Walmart, Target, and Home Depot.
-
Markets2 weeks ago
The Top 10 States by Real GDP Growth in 2023
This graphic shows the states with the highest real GDP growth rate in 2023, largely propelled by the oil and gas boom.
-
Markets2 weeks ago
Ranked: The World’s Top Flight Routes, by Revenue
In this graphic, we show the highest earning flight routes globally as air travel continued to rebound in 2023.
-
Markets2 weeks ago
Ranked: The Most Valuable Housing Markets in America
The U.S. residential real estate market is worth a staggering $47.5 trillion. Here are the most valuable housing markets in the country.
-
Energy1 week ago
The World’s Biggest Nuclear Energy Producers
-
Money2 weeks ago
Which States Have the Highest Minimum Wage in America?
-
Technology2 weeks ago
Ranked: Semiconductor Companies by Industry Revenue Share
-
Markets2 weeks ago
Ranked: The World’s Top Flight Routes, by Revenue
-
Countries2 weeks ago
Population Projections: The World’s 6 Largest Countries in 2075
-
Markets2 weeks ago
The Top 10 States by Real GDP Growth in 2023
-
Demographics2 weeks ago
The Smallest Gender Wage Gaps in OECD Countries
-
United States2 weeks ago
Where U.S. Inflation Hit the Hardest in March 2024