Nine micro-cap companies and one small-cap firm have been the standout performers on the stock market year-to-date, having registered whopping gains between 200 to 1,200 percent since the start of the year.
In this article, we have listed the 10 names that so far were this year’s top gainers and explored the reasons behind their remarkable performances.
The list was based on the firms’ share price data from the companies’ closing prices on December 31—the last trading day of 2024—to February 14, 2025.
We classify micro-cap companies as those with a market capitalization below $300 million, and small-cap firms as those with a market capitalization below $1 billion.
The New York Stock Exchange building. Photo by Дмитрий Трепольский on Pexels
10. Lottery.com Inc. (NASDAQ:LTRY)
Lottery saw its share prices skyrocket by 230 percent since the start of the year, as investor sentiment was boosted by news of its aggressive international expansion and partnerships with other companies to boost growth.
LTRY, with a current market capitalization of $19.3 million, announced significant business developments this month, including the launch of its international lottery operations in Europe, Africa, and other emerging markets, as it targets to meet the growing customer demand in the said regions.
Further boosting its expansion plan was its recent acquisition of an advanced lottery management system and gaming platform, as it aims to support multiple gaming applications, including lottery and sweepstakes. The purchase was part of the company’s plans to launch and generate revenue from international operations by March 31, 2025.
Lastly, LTRY, through its key brand Sports.com, entered into a multi-year partnership agreement with Soccerex to make the former the title sponsor for six global events including Soccerex 2025 for MENA, Europe, and USA to be held in Cairo, Amsterdam, and Miami, respectively.
9. N2OFF Inc. (NASDAQ:NITO)
N2OFF, an energy and agritech company with a market cap of $9.6 million, grew its share prices by 236 percent year-to-date, finishing at 84 cents on Friday versus the 25-cent close last December 31, as investors cheered developments on its energy expansion program.
Last month alone, NITO entered into various partnership agreements with Solterra Renewable for the development of solar projects in Germany, Italy, and Albania.
Last week, the company announced it had signed a binding term sheet with Solterra Energy to collaborate exclusively on solar and battery storage projects in Albania for one year. Feasibility studies will be conducted, and if results turn favorable, Solterra will take charge of project development while NITO will oversee financing.
Apart from Albania, the two companies also teamed up for the construction of a 111-MWp solar facility in Melz, Germany, as well as two battery storage facilities in Sicily, Italy, with each capable of producing 98MWp/392MWh capacity. All projects represent NITO’s foray into the renewable energy sector.
8. Firefly Neuroscience, Inc. (NASDAQ:AIFF)
Firefly Neuroscience grew its share prices by 240 percent year-to-date, with the spike seen only last week following news that it was accepted into Nvidia Corp.’s (NVDA) Connect program.
AIFF—with a market capitalization of $71.59 million—soared to a new all-time high on Thursday, hitting $15.46 or a 483-percent increase this year alone, before profit-taking dragged down the company’s stock price to just $9.01 on Friday.
AIFF’s acceptance into NVDA’s Connect program—a free networking solution designed to help member companies and service providers accelerate their market entry—is expected to support its planned development of a proprietary foundation model of the human brain using FDA-cleared Brain Network Analytics technology platform, which harnesses Resting EEG and Cognitive EEG (ERP) data.
AIFF said it would leverage the program’s various tools, including technical training and guidance as well as discounts given on NVDA technologies.
7. Invivyd Inc. (NASDAQ:IVVD)
Invivyd saw its year-to-date share prices rally by 263 percent to end Friday’s trading at $1.61 versus the 44 cents registered last December 31, as investor sentiment continues to be fueled by positive developments from its clinical trials.
On February 5, IVVD—a pharmaceutical company with a $192.58-million market capitalization—registered its highest price for the year at $2.11, representing a 376-percent surge from December 31’s price, after the company announced that its pipeline candidate, VYD2311, demonstrated promising neutralizing activity against the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant XEC.
The result further supported the effectiveness of IVVD’s monoclonal antibodies, including Pemgarda (pemivibart).
IVVD officially submitted its latest findings to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and is expected to update the Pemgarda fact sheet for healthcare providers soon.
6. Digital Turbine Inc. (NASDAQ:APPS)
Software firm Digital Turbine, saw its share prices increase by 266 percent year-to-date, ending at $6.19 apiece versus the $1.69 registered on December 31.
For this year alone, APPS registered its highest price of $6.52 apiece on February 13, as investors continued to snap up shares following its bullish guidance for fiscal year 2025.
In its latest earnings release, APPS—with a market capitalization of $649.99 million—raised its annual revenue guidance to settle between $485 million and $490 million, with non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA ranging from $69 million to $71 million.
In the third quarter of the fiscal period, APPS registered a 64-percent increase in net loss to $23 million versus the $14 million reported in the same period a year earlier, as revenues dipped 5.6 percent to $134.6 million from $142.6 million year-on-year.
However, net loss for the full year narrowed by 60 percent to $73.27 million from $183.9 million in 2023, despite revenues declining by 14 percent to $371 million from $432 million.
5. Wang & Lee Group Inc. (NASDAQ:WLGS)
Wang & Lee Group surged by 277.8 percent year-to-date, ending Friday’s trading at $6.65 apiece versus the $1.76 registered on December 31, as investors cheered news of various partnership agreements in Hong Kong.
WLGS, a construction contractor company with a market capitalization of $100.37 million, registered its highest price of $8.6 on February 10, marking a 388.6-percent surge from December 31.
Last week alone, WLGS announced that it clinched two partnership deals—with Jinshan Hi-Tech Group for Innovative Waste Treatment Solutions, and with City University of Hong Kong for a Kinetic Energy Project.
According to WLGS, its partnership with Jinshan would address domestic waste treatment in Hong Kong by combining WLGS’ green energy expertise and ESG solutions supported by Jinshan’s innovative technologies.
Meanwhile, it also partnered with the City University for the research and development of kinetic technology which aims to transform energy generated by a single footstep into renewable power via state-of-the-art energized panels.
4. Rapid Micro Biosystems Inc. (NASDAQ:RPID)
Shares of Rapid Micro rallied by 287 percent year-to-date to end Friday’s trading at $3.48 apiece versus the 90 cents registered on December 31.
The company—with a market capitalization of $149.76 million—booked its highest price of $3.57 on Thursday, marking a 297-percent increase from its price on December 31, after KeyBanc Capital Markets set a whopping price target of $8 and “overweight” rating for the company.
According to KeyBanc, its ratings were based on RPID’s Microbial Growth Direct System (GDS) as a significant advancement in biological manufacturing quality control.
Compared with traditional methods, GDS technology offers a more accurate and efficient alternative method for detecting bacterial contamination. It is capable of delivering results within three to five days compared with the five to 14 days from a manual Petri dish and microscope analysis.
3. Yoshiharu Global Corp. (NASDAQ:YOSH)
Yoshiharu—a Japanese restaurant operator with a market capitalization of $19.92 million—rose to a new high on Friday, closing the trading session at $13.81 apiece versus the $3.28 registered on December 31, with investors trading shares in the company despite the lack of clear catalysts to buoy buying appetite.
According to an analyst, YOSH’s relative strength index indicates that it is now in overbought conditions.
Last month, YOSH announced that it was able to raise $11 million through two agreements with Crom Structured Opportunities Fund, of which $10 million was raised through an equity line of credit, while the remaining $1 million came from the senior unsecured convertible promissory note.
According to the company, proceeds will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes to support future growth.
YOSH is a fast-growing restaurant operator and was born out of the idea of introducing the modernized Japanese dining experience to customers all over the world.
2. Society Pass Incorporated (NASDAQ:SOPA)
Society Pass saw its share prices soar by 326 percent year-to-date, ending Friday’s trading at $3.83 versus the $0.8980 registered on December 31.
For this year alone, SOPA—a company with a market capitalization of $13.76 million—hit its highest price of $5.73 on February 11, representing a 538-percent increase from 2024’s last trading day.
Investor sentiment was fueled by a report from Zack Research naming the company as one of the three worth-buying stocks to consider this month for having strong momentum characteristics. SOPA currently holds a “strong buy” rating from Zack Research.
In recent news, the company amended its existing sales agreement with Ascendiant Capital Markets, allowing for an increased sale of common stock to up to $3.37 million.
Under the terms, SOPA may offer and sell its common stock through Ascendiant Capital Markets from time to time to potentially bolster its capital through the sale of shares.
1. Dominari Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:DOMH)
Dominari Holdings saw its share prices soar by 1,118 percent since the start of the year, ending Friday at $11.94 apiece versus the 98 cents registered on December 31.
For this year alone, the company hit its highest price of $13 apiece on Thursday, marking a 1,226-percent growth, with investors gobbling up shares after President Donald Trump’s sons—Eric and Donald Jr.—joined DOMH’s advisory board and participated in the recently announced private placement in the company.
Kyle Woo, CEO of Dominari Securities, said that DOMH was thrilled with the addition of the president’s sons, saying their invaluable leadership and strategic insight will be highly beneficial for our firm.
“Their guidance is expected to be instrumental as we continue to seek attractive investment opportunities, particularly in the rapidly evolving AI and Data Center sector,” the company said.
While we acknowledge the potential of DOMH as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than DOMH but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and Complete List of 59 AI Companies Under $2 Billion in Market Cap.
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