Russell 2000 Stock Picks: One to Buy, Two to Sell in May 2026

According to a report published on May 17, 2026, by Yahoo Finance, the Russell 2000 index includes many smaller companies with significant growth potential, though their smaller size often results in less financial flexibility and resilience compared to larger firms. The source identifies one stock to buy and two stocks to sell from this index, emphasizing the need for careful selection due to the high-risk, high-reward nature of the index.

Select Medical (NYSE:SEM), with a market capitalization of $2.04 billion, operates a network spanning 46 states and over 2,700 healthcare facilities, including critical illness recovery hospitals, rehabilitation hospitals, outpatient rehabilitation clinics, and occupational health centers. The source raises concerns about the company due to declining admissions over the past two years, which has forced it to rely on price increases to support sales volumes. Falling earnings per share over the last five years has worried some investors, as stock prices tend to follow earnings per share over the long term. Additionally, a net-debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 6 times makes lenders less willing to provide additional capital, potentially leading to dilutive equity offerings. At $16.45 per share, Select Medical trades at 12.5 times forward price-to-earnings ratio.

Azenta (NASDAQ:AZTA), with a market capitalization of $808 million, provides biological sample management, storage, and genomic services for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. The source notes annual sales declines of 1.6% over the past two years, indicating its products and services have struggled to connect with the market. Earnings per share have contracted by 24.8% annually over the last five years, a headwind for returns as stock prices often echo long-term earnings per share performance. Its cash-burning history raises doubts about the long-term viability of its business model. Azenta is trading at $17.78 per share, or 30.8 times forward price-to-earnings ratio.

Talos Energy (NYSE:TALO), with a market capitalization of $2.56 billion, explores for and produces oil and natural gas from offshore wells in the Gulf of Mexico and offshore Mexico, operating its own deepwater production facilities including Tarantula, Pompano, and Brutus.

Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business

- MARKET TRENDS This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional EditionPRO

Understanding the Current State of The Market and its Prospects

Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business

Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain

Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Export

The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry

The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles

This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO- 11.1United States

- Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)

- Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)

- Per Capita Consumption, by Country, 2022–2025

- Production, In Physical Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)

- Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)

- Imports, In Value Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)

- Import Prices, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)

- Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)

- Exports, In Value Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)

- Export Prices, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)

- Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)

- Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)

- Average Per Capita Consumption, By Product

- Production, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)

- Production, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)

- Production, In Physical Terms, by Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)

- Imports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)

- Imports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)

- Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2025

- Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)

- Imports, In Value Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)

- Import Prices, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)

- Exports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)

- Exports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)

- Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2025

- Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)

- Exports, In Value Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)

- Export Prices, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)