StockStory Picks Mueller Water (MWA) as Russell 2000 Long-Term Buy, Avoids FLWS and KAI

Investment research firm StockStory on June 2, 2026, identified Mueller Water Products (NYSE:MWA) as a standout long-term holding among Russell 2000 stocks, while advising investors to steer clear of 1-800-FLOWERS (NASDAQ:FLWS) and Kadant (NYSE:KAI). Mueller, the water infrastructure supplier, trades at $24.76 per share with a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 16.6, reflecting what StockStory called solid business fundamentals and a long industry track record. In contrast, online florist 1-800-FLOWERS, at $4.49 and 0.2 times forward sales, fails the firm’s quality threshold for sustainable performance. Industrial components maker Kadant, priced at $315.61 or 3.1 times forward sales, raises valuation concerns that warrant caution. The analysis underscores the Russell 2000’s mix of hidden gems and high-risk small caps, where volatility can reward disciplined stock picking.