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 struggle to keep up.

Two Stocks to Sell:

First Commonwealth Financial (FCF)

Market Cap: $1.88 billion

Tracing its roots back to the Great Depression era of 1934, First Commonwealth Financial (NYSE:FCF) is a financial holding company that provides consumer and commercial banking, wealth management, and insurance services across Pennsylvania and Ohio.

Why Do We Think Twice About FCF?

1. 5.7% annual revenue growth over the last two years was slower than its banking peers

2. Performance over the past two years shows its incremental sales were much less profitable, as its earnings per share fell by 1.6% annually

3. Capital generation will likely be soft over the next 12 months as Wall Street’s estimates imply tepid tangible book value per share growth of 9.9%

At $18.60 per share, First Commonwealth Financial trades at 1.2x forward P/B. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than FCF.

First Busey (BUSE)

Market Cap: $2.27 billion

Tracing its roots back to 1868 during America's post-Civil War reconstruction era, First Busey (NASDAQ:BUSE) is a bank holding company that provides commercial and retail banking, wealth management, and payment technology solutions across Illinois, Missouri, Florida, and Indiana.

Why Is BUSE Not Exciting?

1. Weak unit economics are reflected in its net interest margin of 3.4%, one of the worst among bank companies

2. Annual earnings per share growth of 1.9% underperformed its revenue over the last five years, showing its incremental sales were less profitable

3. Tangible book value per share is projected to decrease by 3.1% over the next 12 months as capital generation weakens

First Busey’s stock price of $26.60 implies a valuation ratio of 1x forward P/B. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including BUSE in your portfolio, it’s free.

One Stock to Watch:

WD-40 (WDFC)

Market Cap: $2.82 billion

Short for “Water Displacement perfected on the 40th try”, WD-40 (NASDAQ:WDFC) is a renowned American consumer goods company known for its iconic and versatile spray, WD-40 Multi-Use Product.