Over the last 7 days, the United States market has risen 7.1%, contributing to a 12-month increase of 7.7%, with earnings projected to grow by 14% annually in the coming years. In this favorable environment, identifying small-cap stocks that are perceived as undervalued and exhibit insider activity can offer intriguing opportunities for investors seeking potential growth.
Top 10 Undervalued Small Caps With Insider Buying In The United States
Overview: Columbus McKinnon is a company specializing in the design, manufacture, and distribution of machinery and industrial equipment with a market capitalization of approximately $1.27 billion.
Operations: The primary revenue stream for the company comes from Machinery & Industrial Equipment, with recent quarterly revenue of $981.64 million. The gross profit margin has shown fluctuations, reaching 37.10% in the quarter ending December 2024 before declining to 36.26% by April 2025. Operating expenses are a significant cost component, consistently exceeding $280 million in recent periods, impacting net income figures which have varied notably over time.
PE: 45.9x
Columbus McKinnon has been navigating a challenging period with fluctuating earnings and volatile share prices. Despite these hurdles, insider confidence remains strong, as evidenced by David Wilson's recent purchase of 31,300 shares for US$1 million between October and December 2024. The company is addressing its financial position through strategic moves like a US$800 million private placement with Clayton, Dubilier & Rice. While profit margins have dipped to 1%, future growth prospects are promising with an expected annual earnings increase of nearly 83%.
Overview: S&T Bancorp is a financial holding company that provides community banking services, with a market capitalization of approximately $1.23 billion.
Operations: The company generates revenue primarily from community banking, with recent figures showing $386.87 million in revenue. Operating expenses are significant, totaling $215.32 million, with general and administrative expenses being the largest component at $175.96 million. The net income margin shows a notable trend, reaching 34.49% as of the latest period analyzed.
PE: 10.6x
S&T Bancorp, a smaller financial institution, reported a solid Q1 2025 performance with net income rising to US$33.4 million from US$31.24 million the previous year, and diluted earnings per share increasing to US$0.87 from US$0.81. Despite no recent share repurchases, insider confidence is evident through stock purchases over the past year, suggesting belief in its potential value despite forecasted earnings declines of 2.2% annually over three years.
Overview: Forestar Group is a residential lot development company focused on delivering real estate solutions, with operations primarily in the United States and a market capitalization of approximately $1.09 billion.
Operations: Forestar Group's revenue primarily stems from its real estate operations, with a recent figure of $1.47 billion. The company has experienced fluctuations in its gross profit margin, which reached 23.93% as of September 2024, indicating variability in cost management and pricing strategies over time. Operating expenses have also varied, impacting net income margins that have shown both positive and negative trends across different periods.
PE: 5.9x
Forestar Group, a smaller player in the U.S. market, has shown insider confidence with recent share purchases. Despite a dip in net income to US$31.6 million for Q2 2025 from US$45 million the previous year, revenue increased to US$351 million from US$333.8 million. The company's growth potential is underscored by a forecasted annual revenue increase of 10.7%. However, reliance on higher-risk external borrowing remains a concern as they recently issued US$500 million in senior notes due 2033 at 6.5% interest for refinancing and general purposes.
This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
