Top Five Small-Cap Stocks

Each business day, TheStreet.com Ratings compiles a list of the top five stocks in five categories -- fast-growth, all-around value, large-cap, mid-cap and small-cap -- and publishes these lists in the Ratings section of our Web site.

This list is based on data from the close of the previous trading session. Today, small-cap stocks are in the spotlight. These are stocks of companies that have market capitalizations of between $50 million and $500 million that rank near the top of all stocks rated by our proprietary quantitative model, which looks at more than 60 factors.

The stocks must also be followed by at least one financial analyst who posts estimates on the Institutional Brokers' Estimate System. They are ordered by their potential to appreciate.

Note that no provision is made for off-balance-sheet assets such as unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments, market value of real estate or contingent liabilities that might affect book value. This could be material for some companies with large underfunded pension plans.

Exactech (EXAC) develops, makes, markets, distributes and sells orthopedic implant devices, related surgical instrumentation and biologic materials to hospitals and physicians in the U.S. and 27 other countries. The company produces knee systems and other joint replacements. Exactech's revenue is derived primarily from sales of its knee- and hip-replacement systems; however, revenue from the worldwide distribution of biologic materials has increased as a percentage of the company's total revenue.

Exactech has been rated a buy since March 2007, primarily because of the company's strong financial performance, higher guidance and a currently favorable industry trend. In the third quarter of 2007, net sales increased 23% year over year to $30 million, largely because of the success of new products and continued growth from existing products.

Exactech performed well in both domestic and international markets on the revenue front; the company reported a 24% increase in revenue from the domestic market and a 21% increase in revenue from international markets. Management raised its fiscal 2007 guidance and now expects revenue between $120.5 million and $122.5 million, with earnings in the range of 78 cents to 79 cents a share.