5 best small cap stocks to buy for Q3 2023

Small cap stocks offer investors exposure to low valued companies with large growth potential. Our guide below highlights five of the best small cap stocks for 2021. 
By:
Updated: May 3, 2023
Listen

Get started in minutes with our preferred broker, Skilling.

9/10

82% of retail CFD accounts lose money.

Visit site

The small-cap stock sector is popular amongst growth-seeking investors with large gains on offer should the timing be right. Read our guide below for five of the best small-cap stocks our experts predict will have a bumper 2021.

What are the top small cap stocks to buy?

Copy link to section

Gaining exposure to the small-cap industry can be done by buying the best small-cap stocks. Check out the table below for our experts’ top five picks. 

#Stock tickerCompany nameTrade now
1HEXOHEXO Corp.
2ACBAurora Cannabis Inc.
Trade ACB

77% of retail CFD accounts lose money.

3GPROGoPro Inc.
4VSTOVista Outdoor Inc.
5DINDine Brands Global, Inc.
List chosen by our team of analysts, updated September 2023.

1. HEXO Corp (NASDAQ: HEXO)

Copy link to section

HEXO Corp. conducts its business in the fast-growing cannabis sector. The company is an award-winning consumer packaged goods cannabis company serving both the recreational and medical marijuana markets. 

The company’s recent $400 million acquisition of Redecan, a profitable Canadian cannabis grower, saw HEXO take the number one spot in market share for the Canadian recreational marijuana market. 

While the earlier part of 2021 has seen HEXO lose over 30% in its stock price. However, its recent acquisition of Redecan and the increased possibility of federal legalisation of cannabis has resulted in analysts setting a price target of over $4 for HEXO, a substantial uplift from current prices. 

2. Aurora Cannabis (NASDAQ: ACB)

Copy link to section

Another cannabis company takes the second spot on our best small-cap list; this time, it is Aurora Cannabis. This Canadian-based business is one of the worlds largest and fastest-growing cannabis companies operating in over 20 countries around the globe. 

Aurora focuses on three sectors, including worldwide sales of medical marijuana and recreational cannabis in Canada, and the company accessed the CBD market in the USA through its acquisition of wellness company, Reliva, in 2020. 

2021 hasn’t been kind to Aurora’s stock price, with the company trading 27% lower than it was in the early part of the year. However, despite slightly missing fourth-quarter sales estimates, the company has revealed a cost-saving strategy which they expect will save between $60 – $80 million going forward. Coupled with medical marijuana revenue growing by 9% to $35million this year, our experts foresee further gains in Aurora’s stock price. 

77% of retail CFD accounts lose money.

3. GoPro Inc (NASDAQ: GPRO)

Copy link to section

Manufacturing and selling cameras and camera accessories since 2002, GoPro has grown into an international consumer goods company selling more than 26 million cameras in over 100 countries worldwide.

Since becoming a publicly-traded company in 2014 and with a market cap sitting at well over $1 billion, GoPro has seen its product line evolve with over 1,600 global patents granted. A September 2021 release of the Hero10 Black camera generated a much-needed boost in interest as the company continues to fend off competition from ever-improving smartphone cameras. 

The company recently launched a subscription service, including cloud storage and editing tools resulting in a new high-margin revenue model, making the stock an appealing investment in the small-cap space.  

4. Vista Outdoor Inc (NYSE: VSTO)

Copy link to section

A leading American designer, producer and seller of outdoor sports and recreation products, VSTO joins our list of the best small-cap stocks to buy. Operating in two markets, shooting and outdoor products, Vista is the parent company to many ammunition makers and suppliers throughout the U.S. 

In recent times, the business announced an agreement to buy California-based golf performance analysis company, Foresight Sport, in a deal worth around $500 million. This could potentially boost earnings while positioning the company as one of the top players in the golf technology market. 

Lockdowns from the COVID-19 pandemic saw more people take up outdoor activities which helped Vista’s stock price rise steadily, and as a result, analysts have set their sights higher.

5. Dine Brands Global (NYSE: DIN)

Copy link to section

Food and beverage company Dine Brands Global is based in Glendale, California. It operates two of the United States’ most famous restaurants: Applebys and the International House of Pancakes (IHOP). Between the two, Dine has over 3,500 restaurants in 17 countries around the world. 

Global lockdowns in 2020 obviously had a negative impact on DIN, resulting in the company trading at its lowest level for five years. However, with vaccine rollouts and world economies reopening, Dine has recovered to pre-pandemic levels quickly and its bullish run looks set to continue.

Dine’s revenue stood at over $900 million in 2019 and a whopping $1.6 billion back in 2008, and while COVID-19 continues to impact this figure today, it remains one of the top restaurant brands in North America. If it can return to the glory days of the 2010s, Dine could be on course for impressive growth.

Where to buy the best small cap shares

Copy link to section

You can purchase small-cap shares through a stockbroker. With low fees, excellent online platforms and full regulation, the below brokers offer easy access to small-cap stocks. 

1
Min. Deposit
$ 10
Best offer
User Score
10
Up to $240 bonus!
Deposit with ACA, Wire, Pay with my bank
Invest for dividends and get payout on stocks on Ex-Dividend day
Start Trading
Payment Methods:
Bank Transfer, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal, Wire Transfer
Full Regulations:
CySEC, FCA

77% of retail CFD accounts lose money.

2
Min. Deposit
$ 0
Best offer
User Score
9.9
Get insights from millions of investors, creators, and analysts
Build your portfolio of stocks, ETFs, and crypto–all in one place
No minimum deposit
Start Trading
Payment Methods:
Bank Wire, Check, Debit Card, Wire Transfer
Full Regulations:
Cryptocurrency execution and custody services are provided by Apex Crypto LLC (NMLS ID 1828849) through a software licensing agreement between Apex Crypto LLC and Public Crypto LLC. Crypto trading on Public platforms is served by Public Crypto LLC and offered through APEX Crypto. Please ensure that you fully understand the risks involved before trading.
3
Min. Deposit
-
Best offer
User Score
9.4
Scope Markets is a regulated entity, following strictly the segregated accounts principal by offering a wide range of products together with Multi-Platform trading facilities.
Scope Markets offers one of the most comprehensive multimedia trading education libraries for traders all levels.
We commit to full transparency, excellence and continuous innovation.
Start Trading
Payment Methods:
Full Regulations:

What is a small cap stock?

Copy link to section

A small-cap stock is used to describe a company that has a market capitalisation of between $300 million and $2 billion. A company’s market capitalisation is the value of its outstanding shares. We can calculate this figure by multiplying the current share price by the number of outstanding shares. 

Small-cap stocks generally tend to be younger companies, although some well established smaller businesses fall into this category. Unlike their large or mid-cap counterparts, small caps are an attractive choice for growth-seeking investors.

Are small cap shares a good investment?

Copy link to section

Investing in small-cap companies can offer investors large returns. Many large-cap companies started off small. Take Tesla, for example; in 2010 it was trading as a small-cap stock with a market cap of just over $1 billion. Today it has grown into a mega-cap, with a market cap of just under $800 billion. The phenomenal growth seen by Tesla and other giant companies is a driving force behind investors seeking the best small-cap stocks.

While small-cap stocks can offer growth, their share prices are often volatile and can dramatically fluctuate. As small-cap stocks are generally younger companies there’s no guarantee that their share prices will rise. Historically, however, small caps outperform large companies long term. 

Small-cap companies are suited to investors seeking growth. Incorporating a portion of an investment portfolio into the best small-cap stocks can offer investors long term gains and diversification during difficult markets. 

Latest stock market news

Copy link to section
A looming US government shutdown could prove a headwind to the broader market as crypto and stocks step into October. It’s an outlook that could be worse off for meme coins as a new era begins with the arrival of the Memeinator (MMTR). US government shutdown and implications on crypto Chances of a U
The Schwab US Dividend Equity (SCHD) ETF is one of the most popular funds in the market, thanks to its high yield and a strong track record of dividend growth. Over the years, it has grown and attracted over $47 billion in assets. In a recent article, I recommended that SCHD investors should also al
Groupon (NASDAQ: GRPN) stock price has staged a strong recovery recently, making it one of the best-performing e-commerce stocks. It has outperformed the likes of Stitch Fix, Amazon, and Etsy as its stock sits at the highest level since June 2022. It has surged by more than 424% from the lowest leve
Shares of FedEx Corp (NYSE: FDX) will likely climb further in the coming months even though they have already gained about 50% this year, says an HSBC analyst. The bull case for FedEx stock Prash Jain assumed coverage of the delivery giant this morning with a “buy” rating and said its shares had ups
United Auto Workers has decided to expand its strike again – but this time it’s Stellantis NV (NYSE: STLA) that the union is leaving out. Why is UAW not expanding strike against Stellantis? Shawn Fain – the President of UAW just confirmed that members of the labour union will begin strike this after
Shares of Blue Apron Holdings Inc (NASDAQ: APRN) more than doubled this morning after Wonder Group said it will buy the meal-kit provider for $103 million. Details of Blue Apron-Wonder Group deal The all-cash deal values each share of the Nasdaq-listed firm at $13. Blue Apron has struggled with shar


Sources & references
Risk disclaimer
Prash Raval
Financial Writer
When not researching stocks or trading, Prash can be found either on the golf course, walking his dog or teaching his son how to kick a... read more.