Small- and mid-cap stocks (SMID) have underperformed large-caps over the past 12 months, but may be in a better position to generate market-beating returns going forward. SMID companies tend to focus on domestic markets, so their businesses could be less disrupted by the fallout from global events. As well, the prices of SMID stocks generally are lower than the prices of large-caps. As well, there are long stretches in the record books when SMID stocks have outperformed large-caps. That said, SMID stocks can be risky. The standard deviation for monthly returns was 5.7% for SMID stocks over a 2003-2021 test period, versus 4.3% for large-caps. Still, despite the risks, diversified investors look to have exposure to small- and mid-caps based on the long-term performance record.

Alliant Energy is the parent of two regulated utilities, Interstate Power and Light and Wisconsin Power and Light, serving nearly 1 million electric customers and 425,000 natural gas-only customers. Both subsidiaries engage in the generation and distribution of electricity and the distribution and transportation of natural gas. Alliant also owns a 16% interest in American Transmission Co.

Alliant Energy is the parent company of two public utilities, Interstate Power & Light Co. and Wisconsin Power & Light Co., and also owns Alliant Energy Resources, the parent company of Alliant's nonregulated operations. The core utility service territories are in Iowa and Wisconsin and serve about 1.0 million electric and 425,000 natural gas customers. The company was founded in 1917 and is headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin. It is a component of the S&P 500.

We've seen growing evidence of rotation away from mega-cap tech. Indeed, even a textbook 'impressive' beat can lead to a 'sell the news' reaction for these stocks. Betting on more near-term upside from these stocks, no matter what they report, is a tough technical game as they all have extreme 14-day and 14-week Relative Strength Index (RSI) readings in the high 70s to mid-80s.