With the prospect of long-awaited interest rate cuts getting closer, small-cap stocks can emerge as top plays for investors seeking new ideas outside the usual mega-cap market leaders. Small-caps, which have lagged the market lately, can offer high growth potential – often with an attractive valuation. By definition, small-cap companies carry a market capitalization between $300 million and $2 billion. Often, these names don’t get a lot of attention – until after they’ve already broken out as leaders within their industry. Notably, small-cap stocks offer both high potential and higher risk. Th…