20 best mid-cap stocks for 2021, according to analysts MarketWatch 12/19/2020 DEEP DIVE (This is the third in a three-part series listing highly rated stocks that sell-side analysts expect to rise the most over the next 12 months. Part 1 covers large-cap stocks and Part 2 covers small-caps.) Popular Searches Mid-cap stocks tend to fall through the media-coverage cracks. The notion of a medium-size company seems less exciting than a small up-and-comer or a tech giant. Then again, mid-caps have performed well this year. Below is a list of 20 stocks drawn from the S&P 400 Mid Cap Index that analysts expect to rise the most over the next 12 months.