SUCCESS

Zachary Evens: Small-cap stocks have spent the last few years in the market’s shadow, but 2026 could shape up to be a different story. With interest rates falling, economic growth broadening, and valuations for smaller companies still sitting at attractive levels, investors are starting to rediscover the appeal of small-cap stocks. While small-cap indexes have lagged large-cap indexes for a long time, they’ve actually outperformed in the last six months, and Morningstar’s 2026 Outlook suggests that trend might continue. That doesn’t mean investors should blindly buy any small-cap ETF. There are several risks unique to small caps, and the best long-term ETFs keep costs low, diversify across hundreds of holdings, and follow disciplined, repeatable strategies. The three ETFs highlighted here check all those boxes. They offer broad exposure to small companies, each with its own unique angle, and all with fees that won’t drag down returns.For investors looking to position their portfolios for a potential small-cap revival, these three great ETFs deserve a close look.3 ETFs for a Small-Cap RevivalVanguard Small-Cap Index Fund ETF Shares VBAvantis US Small Cap Equity ETF AVSCSchwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF SCHCFirst up is Vanguard’s Small-Cap Index ETF, which trades under the ticker VB. It charges just 5 basis points annually and sits in the small-blend category. It is one of the most cost-effective ways to gain exposure to small US companies and earns a Gold Morningstar Medalist Rating.This ETF tracks the CRSP US Small Cap Index, which is a broad benchmark that spans more than 1,300 companies and includes slightly larger stocks than some peers. That breadth is a major advantage, and its slightly larger orientation also controls risk. No single company or industry dominates the portfolio, and the fund captures the full spectrum of small-cap opportunities.Its market-cap-weighted approach keeps turnover low and ensures the fund naturally tilts toward the best performing stocks and sectors. For investors who want a simple, reliable, and extremely diversified way to participate in a small-cap rebound, VB is a standout option. Next up is Avantis US Small Cap Equity ETF, ticker AVSC. It charges 25 basis points annually and sits in the small-value category. Avantis has built a strong reputation for blending academic research with practical portfolio construction, and this ETF is a great example of that philosophy. Instead of simply tracking an index, AVSC uses a rules-based approach that emphasizes companies with strong profitability and attractive valuations. This gives the fund a subtle but meaningful tilt toward higher-quality small caps. In a volatile segment, this is an important distinction that supports a Morningstar Medalist Rating of Silver.The portfolio holds several hundred stocks, which keeps concentration risk low. Its factor-driven strategy aims to capture the historical outperformance of the value and profitability factors, while still maintaining broad diversification. For investors who want a more intentional, factor-based approach to small-cap investing, AVSC is a great choice.Last but not least is Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF, ticker SCHC. It charges just 8 basis points annually and also earns a Silver Morningstar Medalist Rating. Small-cap strength isn’t just a US story. International small-cap valuations also look attractive, potentially making this ETF a sound complement to a domestic small-cap allocation.SCHC tracks the FTSE Developed Small Cap ex US Index, giving investors exposure to more than 2,000 companies across Europe, Asia, and other developed markets. Broad diversification also helps smooth out the volatility that can come with investing overseas.International small caps tend to be more closely tied to local economic conditions, so when global growth accelerates, this segment can deliver strong performance. SCHC offers a simple way to tap into that potential. A small-cap revival won’t happen overnight, but if and when it does, any of these three ETFs offer a low-cost path to capturing that next wave of small-cap growth.Read: Why Investors Shouldn’t Ignore Global Small-Cap StocksWatch 3 Great International ETFs for 2026 and Beyond for more from Zachary Evens.

A six-year Los Angeles Dodgers veteran was the subject of some brutal criticism from the team’s manager as his struggles continue.

As the NCAA men’s basketball tournament begins this week, several highly regarded freshmen such as Duke’s Cameron Boozer and BYU’s AJ Dybantsa should make major impacts.

Households in China aren’t broke, the available data indicate. They’re just exhibiting a reluctance to spend.

“I earn an annual salary of $116,000. My wife’s annual income is about $55,000.”

Bitcoin remains stuck near key resistance around $75,000, leaving the broader market in limbo.

“We’ve been aggressively paying down our credit cards.”

Jessica Simpson has reportedly decided to hold on to the $17.9 million Los Angeles mansion she bought with her estranged spouse, Eric Johnson, who is understood to have moved out of the property .

The United States set a record for total exports in 2025 but those exports are less concetrated with Mexico and Canada than ever.

TheStreet aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.Why we love this dealWe browse all the big retailers on a daily basis to help you find the best-reviewed options at the most significant discounts — because we know that shopping smart is more important now than ever. You don’t want to sacrifice on quality and reliability, but you don’t want to spend a ton of money on something that feels like a bit of a luxury, and we get it. Fortunately, you don’t have to give up great audio quality and useful features to save a ton of money on a new pair of earbuds.Right now, Walmart’s got a great deal on the bestselling Breezio Open-Ear Wireless Earbuds. Normally priced at $179, these are going for only $23. That’s a savings of $157, and they’ve got hundreds of five-star ratings to vouch for them. They’re also backed by Walmart’s 30-day return policy.Breezio Open-Ear Wireless Earbuds, $22 (was $179) at Walmart

COurtesy of W

Shop at WalmartWhy do shoppers love it?These over-ear headphones come with a portable charging case, a compatible charging cable, and a user manual to help you get going. They’re loaded with useful features like a noise filter, a voice-activated microphone and phone calls, intuitive smart-touch controls, 360-degree surround sound capabilities, and Bluetooth 5.4 true wireless for low-latency connections up to about 33 feet.The open-ear earbuds have an IPX7 waterproof rating, so they’re safe from rain, splashes, gym sweat, and so on. You can expect about eight hours of battery life on a single charge cycle, or up to 60 hours when you top them off using the charging case. And the LED display on the case lets you know how much charge you have remaining, so you can plan ahead.Related: Amazon is selling noise-canceling earbuds for $21Details to knowColor options: Black or beige.Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.4 with a 33-foot signal range.Battery life: About 8 hours (or up to 60 with the charging case).Shoppers love these earbuds for their overall value, comfortable fit, and clear audio. When you get an incoming phone call, the display lets you know the name of the caller if they’re saved in your phone, and you can adjust the volume up or down with each respective earpiece. Folks often say they’re surprised by the quality given what they paid for them.”I just received these earbuds, and I have to say that they’re the lightest, most comfortable over-the-ear headphones I’ve ever used,” said one reviewer. “I love the touch-control features. It takes a little bit to get used to, but the features work great. For the price I paid, I plan on getting a couple extra pairs to keep around the house, and I may gift them to my children for Christmas. Definitely a will-buy-again purchase.”Shop more deals Beribes Bluetooth Headphones, $20 (was $29) at AmazonHupoaf Wireless Sport Earbuds, $37 at AmazonAptkdoe Wireless Earbuds, $26 (was $40) at AmazonLooking for a great-sounding, comfy pair of wireless headphones? Save a whopping $157 when you shop the Breezio Open-Ear Wireless Earbuds at Walmart for just $22 with the Flash deal.