These Small-Cap Stocks Have Already More Than Doubled In 2012!

The stock market has had an excellent start to 2012, with the S&P rising 8.26% already for the year. Investors are feeling more comfortable taking risk and economic sentiment seems as if it is starting to turn. In such an environment, individual investors may want to allocate a larger portion of their portfolios to small-cap stocks, which tend to outperform during strong market cycles. Below, Benzinga highlights a number of small-cap names which have already doubled in 2012 and could be on their way to delivering massive returns by year-end. While many investors may shun the idea of buying stocks that have already increased so much, it is very likely that at least one of these names will rise 400% or 500% or more during the year. If you adhere to the adage, "buy high, sell higher," these are stocks that you should have on your radar. BroadVision BVSN - This stock comes with a strong caveat - it has been associated with promoters and would appear to be very high risk. Nevertheless, BVSN has risen more than 200% in 2012 and has showed continued strength. BroadVision is a provider of e-commerce business solutions and has licensed its products to more than 500 companies. Despite the fact that BVSN has been associated with stock promoters, it has yet to crack, and may have more upside left in its tank. Shares currently trade at $34.45 and the $30 level has been near-term support while $40 has been near-term resistance. During Thursday's trading session, BVSN shares have risen another 10.22%. Corinthian Colleges COCO - This stock has been hammered down over the last several years amid worsening business conditions in the for-profit education sector. A rebound could be in the works, however, judging by COCO's year-to-date performance. The stock has already risen 125% and has been consolidating around the $5 level. Despite the big rally, COCO still has a fairly high short interest with around 30% of the float sold short. These short-sellers could continue to drive the price up in the coming months if they decide to cover their bets in the stock. Momentum traders definitely may want to get involved with this name if it breaks the $5 level to the upside. During Thursday's trading session, COCO has lost 0.20% to $4.92. FriendFinder Networks FFN - This company runs adult-oriented social networking sites and also owns the Penthouse brand. FriendFinder (FFN) has been a disaster of a stock since the company came public in May 2011, losing roughly 75% of its value during that time. Nonetheless, the shares have seen a big pop to begin 2012, surging more than 181%. Now that the downtrend has been broken, it would seem that FFN could potentially triple or quadruple from current levels, but this is a very risky stock by any measure. With the stock breaking above the $2 level in the last couple of weeks, however, traders may want to consider getting long with a stop just below $2.00. Key Tronic KTCC - This is an interesting small-cap name with a current market-cap of $111 million. At the beginning of February, KTCC broke out of a trading range that goes all the way back to 2003 after a bullish Q2 earnings report. This month, the stock has hit a 10-year high and has been running almost straight up. Year-to-date, shares have risen 127%, and given the powerful breakout from a multi-year base, it would appear as if KTCC could continue to rally. Key Tronic Corporation is engaged in electronic manufacturing services (EMS) for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and also manufactures keyboards and other input devices. LCA-Vision LCAV - Looking at LCAV's long-term stock chart, it becomes apparent that this company was devastated by the financial crisis and is still trying to get back on its feet. Prior to the meltdown, LCAV shares traded between $40 and the mid-$50 level for a number of years. Since 2008, the stock has been mired in the single digits. Given recent momentum, however, LCAV may be back on its way to the land of double-digits. Year-to-date, shares have surged 174%. On Thursday, the name has added another 7% to $8.00. Traders may want to see if LCAV can hold this $8 level and get long if it proves that it can. LCA-Vision Inc. is a provider of fixed-site laser vision correction services at its LasikPlus vision centers. Top Ships TOPS - This shipping stock has jumped 114% in 2012 and appears to have broken a long-term downtrend. Volume has been picking up substantially in recent weeks and TOPS is now trading more than 85% above its 50-day moving average. The company has a market cap of $126 million and is based in Athens, Greece. Threshold Pharmaceuticals THLD - This biotech stock has been on a tear since the beginning of February and is the top performer on this list. Threshold has now risen 388% in 2012. At the beginning of February, this was a $1.30 stock. Shares now trade at $5.85. The investor enthusiasm is related to a mid-stage drug candidate known as TH-302 which showed promising results in a recent clinical trial. The drug is being tested as a treatment for soft tissue sarcoma, solid tumors, leukemia, and several other cancers. TH-302 is the company's leading drug candidate.