By Despite record highs in major US indexes, signs of economic deceleration are surfacing.
Yet, optimism is building around a potential rate cut from the Federal Reserve, which could inject fresh momentum into the US economy.
Morgan Stanley believes this environment favours select small- and mid-cap names that remain overlooked but are primed for outsized gains.
With market caps under $20 billion and upside potential ranging from 20% to 50%, three stocks stand out in particular: Wayfair, Cinemark, and Lionsgate Studio.
Wayfair Inc (NYSE: W)
Wayfair has emerged as a compelling bet on the back of improving housing sentiment and anticipated monetary easing.
Morgan Stanley sees the online furniture retailer as “one of the most spring-loaded assets in Internet,” especially as home furnishings stabilize.
Analyst Simeon Gutman believes Q2 marked a turning point, validating his January upgrade. The firm’s bull case price target of $130 implies a 44% upside in Wayfair stock from current levels.
Despite tariff uncertainties, Wayfair’s marketplace model shields it from absorbing rising input costs, unlike traditional retailers.
With W shares already up over 100% year-to-date and analysts split between buy and hold ratings, Wayfair remains a high-conviction pick for Q4.
Cinemark Holdings Inc (NYSE: CNK)
Cinemark stock may be in the red this year, but Morgan Stanley argues the narrative around movie theaters is overly pessimistic. The firm’s $35 price target suggests a 24% upside from here.
Analyst Benjamin Swinburne believes the “death of the movie theater has been greatly exaggerated,” citing self-help initiatives and a strong 2026 film slate.
The recent success of “The Conjuring: Last Rites,” which marked Cinemark’s second-biggest horror opening ever, adds fuel to the recovery thesis.
With box office revenues projected to return to pre-pandemic levels next year, Cinemark shares could surprise skeptics and reward contrarian investors in the months ahead.
A dividend yield of 1.13% makes CNK stock all the more attractive to own for the final quarter of 2025.
Lionsgate Studios Corp (NYSE: LION)
Fresh off its split from Starz, Lionsgate Studios stock is now a standalone media powerhouse.
Morgan Stanley sees the company as well-positioned to thrive in a consolidating entertainment landscape. The studio posted a $21.9 million profit in Q4, reversing last year’s loss, with motion picture revenue surging 28%.
Upcoming releases like Stephen King’s “The Long Walk,” a Michael Jackson biopic, and a new Hunger Games prequel bolster its theatrical pipeline.
On the TV side, Lionsgate Studios Corp plans to double scripted series deliveries next year, reinforcing its role as a premium third-party content supplier.
Wall Street remains largely bullish on LION shares with a consensus “overweight” rating and a mean target of about $8.61, indicating potential for as much as 18% upside from current levels.
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