We recently published a list of 10 Stocks Under $10 that Will Triple. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Nuvation Bio Inc. (NYSE:NUVB) stands against other stocks under $10 that will triple.

As we delve into the discussion on stocks that will triple, we must shed light on the U.S. small-cap stocks, which are struggling amid broader market challenges due to ongoing shifts in tariff policy, affecting investors’ confidence. The Russell index (which tracks small-cap stocks) has fallen over 15% from its peak in November 2024 as of the time of writing this article and is down by nearly 19% on a YTD basis. However, the broader market, mostly consisting of large-cap stocks, has only dropped about 14% on a YTD basis. This gap shows how economic uncertainties and higher interest rates have more impact on smaller companies as they typically carry more debt and feel borrowing costs more acutely.

Furthermore, trade tensions have added to small-cap stocks’ volatility. Reuters reported that Trump’s new 25% tariffs on Canadian, Mexican, and Chinese imports rolled out on March 4, with more duties to be imposed by April 2. This measure affects nearly $2.2 trillion in trade and has sparked retaliatory tariffs from Canada and China, which have stoked inflation fears and triggered global market drops. As such, small-cap companies with international supply chains now face higher costs that could damage their profitability.

Yet, small-cap stocks might bounce back as Trump’s domestic economic growth agenda could benefit these U.S.-based companies. In addition, onshoring and increased capital expenditures (CAPEX) might boost the sector’s earnings. Furthermore, analysts believe that stabilizing inflation and easing interest rates could help small-caps recover in the second half of 2025.

As such, inflation seems to be leveling off, which is beneficial for small-cap companies. While high rates have pressured these debt-reliant companies, the Federal Reserve’s decision to slow rate hikes in late 2024 provided some breathing room. With inflation settling between 1% and 3%—historically complimentary for small-caps—the sector’s performance is expected to get a boost. Therefore, as financial market trends are settling, analysts expect small-cap earnings to outpace large-cap in 2025, especially later in the year.

A significant move that could be helpful for small-cap stocks is the recovery in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and initial public offerings (IPOs). Even though deal activity slowed during recession fears, M&A rebounded in 2024 and is expected to continue in 2025. Historically, rising M&A activity has boosted returns across market caps and proven to be beneficial for small-caps, as it makes those companies acquisition targets, increasing investors’ interest.

Moreover, industry changes and technological advances offer more opportunities to small-cap companies. While the AI boom has mostly helped mega-cap tech industries, many smaller companies are crucial to AI infrastructure in terms of cybersecurity and thermal management. A 2023 PwC report valued the healthcare AI market at $11 billion, projecting its growth to $188 billion by 2030.

Despite the market challenges, some small-caps under $10 have beaten the broader market, showing resilience amid inflation and trade uncertainties. They show remarkable growth possibilities even as conditions fluctuate.

Methodology

We chose consensus picks of credible websites and compiled a list of stocks priced at $10 or less that are expected to triple. Furthermore, we used a screener to identify stocks with a projected upside potential of over 300%. We have also assessed the hedge fund sentiment from Insider Monkey’s database of over 1,000 elite hedge funds tracked as of the end of the fourth quarter of 2024. The list is arranged in ascending order of the number of hedge fund holders in each stock.

Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).

A close-up of researchers, carefully studying a biopharmaceutical compound in a laboratory.

Nuvation Bio Inc. (NYSE:NUVB)

Upside Potential: 301.02%

Number Of Hedge Funds: 34

Nuvation Bio Inc. (NYSE:NUVB), a clinical-stage biopharma company, develops innovative cancer treatments. The company’s lead drug, a ROS1 inhibitor taletrectinib, targets ROS1-positive lung cancer. Simultaneously, Nuvation is also extending its portfolio with safusidenib, which is a targeted inhibitor for brain tumors with IDH1 mutations, and NUV-1511, a drug-drug conjugate for advanced solid tumors.

Nuvation Bio Inc. (NYSE:NUVB) ensured robust financial health with $502.7 million in cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities as of December 31, 2024. R&D spending hit $29.3 million in Q4 2024, reflecting a cost increase from the acquisition of AnHeart Therapeutics and ongoing clinical trials. On the other hand, selling, general, and administrative expenses rose to $26.1 million due to integration efforts and commercialization preparations, resulting in a net quarterly loss of $49.4 million or $0.15 per share.

Despite the troubled profitability, Nuvation Bio Inc. (NYSE:NUVB) turned a major cornerstone when the FDA granted a Priority Review to its New Drug Application (NDA) for taletrectinib, with a PDUFA goal date set for June 23, 2025. The drug already got regulatory approval in China, with sales handled by Innovent Biologics. In addition, the company also submitted a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) in Japan. In the U.S., the company launched an Expanded Access Program for taletrectinib so that eligible patients can receive the drug before commercialization.

With substantial cash reserves and access to $250 million in non-dilutive financing from Sagard Healthcare Partners, Nuvation Bio Inc. (NYSE:NUVB) has the cash reserves to commercialize its drugs and develop new ones. As taletrectinib enters the U.S. market and the company’s cancer pipeline grows, it is positioned as one of the stocks under $10 that will triple. The company has a high potential for growth once it gets regulatory approval and successful commercialization of its drugs.

Overall, NUVB ranks 6th on our list of stocks under $10 that will triple. While we acknowledge the potential of NUVB, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. There is an AI stock that went up since the beginning of 2025, while popular AI stocks lost around 25%. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than NUVB but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock.

READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and 30 Best Stocks to Buy Now According to Billionaires.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.