Here are 7 stocks likely to rise steadily and reliably even in today's turbulent markets, and 3 mutual funds that offer growth potential with less risk.
Given its name, you might not expect Royce Value to make our roster of smart growth plays, but co-manager Whitney George and his colleagues run a portfolio loaded with corporations from our list, including Unit, Steel Dynamics, Oil States International, Patterson-UTI, and Reliance Steel & Aluminum.
George and his crew seek out unloved or undiscovered companies with strong balance sheets, high returns on capital, and market values between $500 million and $5 billion.
They also hunt for sizable potential, buying stocks whose prices they think will double or triple over three to five years. Expenses, at 1.31%, are a shade higher than we'd like, but the managers hit their mark often enough to make this a worthwhile bet: The fund has returned nearly 25% a year over the past five years, trouncing the S&P and putting it in the top 1% of all small-cap funds that blend growth and value approaches.
A stunning 37 of this year's fast-growers come from the energy sector, and metals companies make a strong showing, too, thanks to high commodities prices. (more)
A stunning 37 of this year's fast-growers come from the energy sector, and metals companies make a strong showing, too, thanks to high commodities prices. (more) 
Texas is home to the most companies on this year's list. See the fastest-growing companies near you (including interactive maps). (more) 
Americans' bulging waistlines have helped push this 35-year-old diet company to the top of Fortune's list this year. (more) 
