That’s why you want to consider mid-cap stocks. Many of today’s large- and mega-cap stocks are being weighed down by high valuations. Mid-cap stocks provide the ability to buy future earnings growth at a more reasonable valuation. In fact, the average mid-cap stock has a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio about 20% below that of the S&P 500.  

Mid-cap stocks are also generally underowned by institutional investors. However, that could change as fund managers may seek diversification away from technology stocks, particularly if interest rates continue to fall, making mid-cap stocks even more attractive.  

Now that I’ve made the broad case for mid-cap stocks, let’s look at three specific names that offer the potential for growth and value.  

Molson-Coors: A Contrarian Investment Among Mid-Cap Stocks 

You’d have to be crazy to invest in a beer stock right now. But that’s what I’m suggesting when I look at Molson Coors Beverage Corp. (NYSE: TAP). Granted, I was more bullish before the company reported earnings in November, but analysts still have a consensus price target of $54.87, which gives investors 21% upside. 

Molson-Coors doesn’t deny that there is softness with the lower-income consumer. However, the earnings report doesn’t mention factors like GLP-1 drugs, more states that have legalized recreational marijuana, and a general move away from alcohol by younger consumers.  

That tracks with what I’ve seen when I look at the company’s revenue and earnings over time. There is a slight drop-off in revenue, but not enough to suggest it’s a widespread movement. This looks like an earnings problem, and the company has been taking cost-cutting measures as well as making targeted capital expenditures to increase efficiency.  

Saying that the weakness is more cyclical than systemic doesn’t make the nut any easier to crack. However, that’s why you can look at the stock’s price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 8.9x earnings, which is still lower than its historical average. 

Critics will argue that some stocks are cheap for a reason. However, while you’re waiting for growth, TAP stock gives you a safe dividend that has a 4.16% yield and pays out $1.88 per share annually.  

Cal-Maine: An Egg-celent Idea Among Mid-Cap Stocks 

Sorry, I couldn’t resist the play on words. But Cal-Maine Foods Inc. (NASDAQ: CALM) is an exceptional mid-cap stock for investors looking for growth and value. Who would have thought that eggs would be an election issue? That was the case in 2024 as egg prices surged for a variety of reasons.  

Investors piled into CALM stock in 2024 and 2025 to ride that wave. But the stock has come back to earth after a miss on profits in its October earnings report. The larger problem is that analysts are forecasting a 69% drop in earnings in the next 12 months. However, with a P/E ratio of just 3.4x, investors are getting current earnings at a discount.  

So are the gains over? Analysts have lowered their price targets, but the consensus price still gives CALM stock about 13% upside. Institutional investors continue to buy the stock as well. In the quarter just ended, institutional buying outpaced selling by nearly 5:1.  

Plus, you get a safe high-yield dividend. As of November 5, the yield was 6.07% with an annual payout of $5.48 per share. 

Vista Energy: A Powerhouse Among Mid-Cap Stocks 

Vista Energy (NYSE: VIST) may not be familiar to investors. That’s because it’s not a U.S. company. That means it’s not being brought into the current U.S. energy infrastructure conversation. However, if you’re looking for a mid-cap name in the energy sector, Vista is one to watch.  

Vista Energy is primarily an Argentina-focused oil and gas producer. Its operations are almost entirely based in the Vaca Muerta shale formation, one of the world’s largest unconventional oil and gas reserves — often compared to the Permian Basin in the U.S. 

This gives Vista exposure to a long runway of low-cost, high-margin production growth. The company has positioned itself as the second-largest shale oil producer in Argentina, behind only YPF. 

VIST stock is down 10% in 2025. However, it’s up about 40% in the 30 days ending November 5. Analysts give the stock a consensus price target of $59.60, which is an upside of 22%.