We recently published a list of 10 Worst Performing Mid Cap Stocks to Buy According to Analysts. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Acadia Healthcare Company Inc. (NASDAQ:ACHC) stands against other worst performing mid cap stocks to buy according to analysts.
Market analysts are increasingly highlighting mid-cap stocks as a potentially attractive investment opportunity, particularly in the current economic climate. These stocks offer a balance between the stability of large-cap companies and the growth potential of small-cap firms. In February, Global Investment Strategist at ProShares Advisors Simeon Hyman also shared that he sees mid-cap stocks as a current market “sweet spot.” We covered his sentiment earlier in our 10 Best Performing Mid Cap Stocks to Buy According to Analysts article. Here’s an excerpt from it:
“Currently, mid-caps are undervalued, offering investors about $0.50 on the dollar, a situation that hasn’t occurred with small caps despite their underperformance… mid-caps also have a strong domestic focus, with about 75% of their revenues coming from domestic sources… mid-caps generally offer higher quality than small caps, lacking the losses and negative earnings often seen in small-cap companies.”
Earlier on January 25, Jill Carey Hall, BofA global research head of US small and mid-cap strategy, joined CNBC’s ‘Closing Bell’ to discuss small-cap headwinds and the opportunity in domestic mid-caps. She noted that the backdrop for the Russell 2000 remains challenging, with the profit growth recovery story that many investors were optimistic about last year continuing to be revised downward and pushed further into 2025. As a result, small-cap profits have continued to disappoint, with negative year-over-year earnings growth still prevalent in this segment. In contrast, mid-caps have shown better fundamentals, making them a more attractive option for investors seeking a favorable risk-reward balance, especially in an environment where multiple rate cuts have been priced out of the market.
Hall highlighted that interest rates still play a crucial role in market dynamics. Bank of America’s economists expect the Fed to maintain its current stance without further cuts, which could pose refinancing risks for small caps. Mid-caps, on the other hand, have better balance sheets and fundamental trends, which positions them more favorably. Despite the optimism around economic policies and potential deregulation, Hall noted that small caps face a high bar for investor confidence after a decade of underperformance. Historically, small caps are due for an outperformance cycle, and relative valuations suggest they could offer the best price returns over the next decade. However, for this year, investors are cautious about reentering the small-cap space without a more convincing profit turnaround. Stabilizing or potentially lower interest rates could be beneficial for small caps, as these factors have significantly influenced rallies and sell-offs in the Russell 2000.
She suggested focusing on smaller mid-caps with profits, less leverage, and less refinancing risk, or those that are economically sensitive.
Methodology
We used the Finviz stock screener to compile a list of the worst-performing mid-cap stocks that were trading between $2 billion and $10 billion. We then picked the top 10 stocks with 6-month declines higher than 50% and an average upside potential of over 30%. The stocks are ranked in ascending order of their upside potential. We have also added the hedge fund sentiment for each stock, as of Q4 2024, which was sourced from Insider Monkey’s database.
Note: All data is as of February 26.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).
A healthcare professional discussing a treatment plan with a patient in an outpatient clinic.
Acadia Healthcare Company Inc. (NASDAQ:ACHC)
6-Month Performance as of February 26: -45.95%
Upside Potential as of February 26: 53.48%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 46
Acadia Healthcare Company Inc. (NASDAQ:ACHC) provides behavioral healthcare services and offers a range of treatment options across the US and Puerto Rico. From inpatient psychiatric facilities and specialty centers to outpatient services, it addresses the diverse mental health and recovery needs of communities.
In Q3 2024, the company generated a total of $816 million in revenue, which was an 8.7% increase year-over-year. This came from increased patient days (4.7%) and higher revenue per patient day (3.6%). It aims to add 1,200 beds in the full year 2024, with 700 coming online in Q4 alone, through new facilities and joint ventures. The US has a severe shortage of psychiatric beds, so the company is investing billions to add over 2,000 beds in the next two years, expecting this to boost volume growth starting in 2025.
Despite recent media scrutiny leading to a temporary volume dip in October, the company is confident in its long-term growth. Acadia Healthcare Company Inc. (NASDAQ:ACHC) is focused on quality and compliance. It has invested $100 million in technology, which includes wearable patient monitoring and electronic medical records. It has also strengthened its quality and compliance teams and implemented dashboards and monthly reviews. This focus has resulted in positive patient feedback, with 81% reporting feeling hopeful after treatment.
Overall, ACHC ranks 6th on our list of worst performing mid cap stocks to buy according to analysts. While we acknowledge the growth potential of ACHC, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold great promise for delivering high returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than ACHC 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
Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
