What are small-cap, mid-cap and large-cap stocks?

Are you into the easy access of the small cap stocks, the more stable of the mid-cap stocks or the higher returns on equity from the large-cap stocks? What ever stocks appeal to your better nature, be sure to be armed with as much knowledge on each, so you can mix it up and get the most for your money.

A general break down by size of companies is:

• Small Cap under $1 billion


• Mid Cap $1 - $10 billion


• Large Cap $10 billion plus


• Mega Cap $100 billion plus

Knowing whether to go more small-cap, mid-cap or large-cap is something that with some research you can decide easily. You calculate a company's market capitalization by multiplying the price per share times the number of outstanding shares. A simple way of thinking of it is how much you would pay to buy every share of stock on the market.

Market capitalization often mentioned as market cap is the amount of corporate size. This refers to the current stock price times the number of outstanding shares. This measure differs from equity value. This is with the extent that a firm has outstanding stock options or other securities convertible to common shares.

However, there are a few things to look into a little more. There are those that would say the small-cap stocks have a larger turn around, however there are examples of a small-cap stock and a large-cap stock doing almost identical. Here is the example.

One of the seemingly eternal myths of investing is that stocks with small market capitalization outpace stocks with large market capitalization over time.

On average, for a measured time, the compound annual return on small-cap stocks was 12.7 percent, compared with 11.0 percent for large-cap stocks. This difference then showed, a terminal value for small-cap stocks that was three times that of large-cap stocks.

This last year has been a bit of an off year for mid-sized companies, those markets between $1-10 billion. Large-cap stocks have done very well this year with 3%, with the small-cap stocks just behind with 2.2%. Mid-cap is trailing behind with 1.9%.

However there are still many areas that the mid-cap companies offer more room for growth over all with stability over the small-cap companies.

If you are concerned about inflation and rising interest rates or a slowing economy, industry leading mega-cap stocks with solid balance sheets are a great and qualified safe place to weather the storm.

The size and growth of a company's market capitalization is often one of the detrimental measurements of public company's success or demise.

Here are some great things to keep in mind when deciding what you want to invest your future in:

• Most experts do agree on is that small cap stocks, especially those with market caps under $500 million are risky investments.
• Invest in what you know. If you have expert knowledge or extensive experience in a particular industry or technology, this may be a good place to start looking
• Avoid "bleeding edge" technology, because this is so risky on its own, when coupled with small companies becomes a complete gamble.
• Be realistic. Do not believe in something that is to good to be true. Use your head; after all, it is your future.
• Be patient. Plant your seed and let it grow.