Despite major gains by a small number of mega-cap tech firms last year, the market rewarded investors willing to take a chance on some slightly less well-known stocks in 2025. Among the best performers of the year were photonics company Lumentum Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: LITE), which more than quadrupled in value, and aerospace broadband firm AST SpaceMobile (NASDAQ: ASTS), the latter of which climbed by about 244% for the year. Neither of these firms is small, but they are less known among many investors who focus on bigger names.
In 2026, a number of other companies—some even smaller and underfollowed across Wall Street—also have strong potential. These stocks entail a higher level of risk than some larger, more popular names, but their track records and developments suggest big upside may be in store for those investors willing to take the chance.
