2026 Stock Market Predictions: Small-Cap Stocks to Rise
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 04 2026
0mins
Source: Fool
- Small-Cap Surge: In 2026, small- and mid-cap stocks are expected to take the lead, with Mirum Pharmaceuticals nearly doubling its share price in 2025, indicating strong potential for small-cap investments in the upcoming year.
- AI Investment Returns: While some predict an AI bubble burst, a shift from hype to tangible returns is anticipated in 2026, with Alphabet's Google Cloud expected to gain traction, particularly as customers opt for its TPUs over Nvidia's GPUs.
- Renewable Energy Rebound: Despite reduced support from the Trump administration, stocks like Brookfield Renewable and Clearway Energy are predicted to continue rising in 2026, driven by strong AI growth and increased energy demand for data centers.
- Midterm Election Impact: The 2026 midterm elections are likely to introduce market volatility, as historically seen, and if Democrats regain control of Congress, it could influence stock performance, particularly for cannabis-related companies like Green Thumb Industries and Trulieve Cannabis.
Get Free Real-Time Notifications for Any Stock
Monitor tickers like CWEN with instant alerts to capture every critical market movement.
Sign up for free to build your custom watchlist and receive professional-grade stock notifications.
Analyst Views on CWEN
Wall Street analysts forecast CWEN stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for CWEN is 39.29 USD with a low forecast of 34.00 USD and a high forecast of 50.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
7 Analyst Rating
6 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 36.950
Low
34.00
Averages
39.29
High
50.00
Current: 36.950
Low
34.00
Averages
39.29
High
50.00
About CWEN
Clearway Energy, Inc. is the owner of clean energy generation assets. It invests in energy infrastructure and focuses on investments in clean energy and owns sustainable and long-term contracted assets across North America. Its portfolio comprises approximately 12.7 gigawatts (GW) of gross capacity in 27 states, including 9.9 GW of wind, solar, and energy storage and over 2.8 GW of dispatchable power generation providing critical grid reliability services. Its operating facilities include Carlsbad, El Segundo, GenConn Devon, GenConn Middletown, Marsh Landing and Walnut Creek. Its utility-scale solar projects include Agua Caliente, Alpine, Avenal, Avra Valley, Blythe, Daggett 3, Desert Sunlight 250, Kansas South, and others. Its wind projects include Black Rock, Buffalo Bear, Cedro Hill, and others. It also operates the 137-megawatt (MW) Tuolumne Wind Project in Klickitat County, Washington and the 109 MW Catalina Solar facility in Kern County, California.
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Top High-Yield Stocks: Verizon, Oneok, and More with Annual Growth Over 5%
- Stable Earnings in Clean Energy: Clearway Energy boasts a dividend yield exceeding 5%, ensuring stable cash flow through long-term fixed-rate contracts, with expectations of 7% to 8% annual cash flow per share growth by 2030, supporting ongoing dividend increases.
- REIT Stability Advantage: NNN REIT offers a dividend yield over 5.5%, generating stable rental income from single-tenant, triple-net-leased properties, having increased dividends for 36 consecutive years, showcasing strong financial flexibility and investment potential.
- Pipeline Industry Growth Potential: Oneok has a 5.5% dividend yield, supported by long-term contracts and government-regulated revenue structures, enabling over 25 years of dividend stability, with plans for 3% to 4% annual growth in the future.
- Telecom Giant Expansion Strategy: Verizon's dividend yield exceeds 7%, leveraging the $20 billion acquisition of Frontier to expand its broadband network and enhance cross-selling capabilities, expected to support future dividend growth, having achieved a 19-year growth streak.

Continue Reading
Verizon Increases Dividend for 19th Consecutive Year, Oneok Delivers Stable Growth
- Dividend Stability: Verizon has increased its dividend for 19 consecutive years, currently boasting a yield of over 7%, supported by stable wireless and internet revenues that enhance its financial robustness for future dividend growth.
- Long-Term Contract Security: Oneok offers a 5.5% dividend yield, with stable cash flow derived from long-term fixed contracts, reflecting over 25 years of consistent dividend growth backed by a strong financial foundation and expansion capabilities.
- Investment Return Potential: NNN REIT has a dividend yield exceeding 5.5%, with stable rental income from single-tenant properties, allocating 70% of its cash flow to dividends, ensuring long-term investment returns and financial flexibility.
- Clean Energy Outlook: Clearway Energy's dividend yield is over 5%, with expectations of 7% to 8% compound annual cash flow growth per share through 2030, providing robust support for continued dividend increases.

Continue Reading








