 Its always hard to describe stocks that are trading under 10. Are they cheap stocks? Are they penny stocks? Are small-cap stocks bargains?Source: Shutterstock The fact is, a low-priced stock doesnt necessarily mean anything other than that its low-priced. Theres no reason to take a flyer on a low-priced stock just because its low priced when a higher-priced stock and few less shares may get you a better stock.I do the same amount of leg work on every stock, regardless of its price. Then, once theyve been through my Portfolio Grader system, I can parse that list by industry, momentum, fundamentals or in this case, price.InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice Trading TipsThe seven A-rated stocks under 10 featured here have everything going for them, just like their higher-priced brethren. They just cost you a little less to get into. Or, you can take a bigger stake than you could in say a 30 stock. The 10 Best Stocks to Invest in for August Whats more, small-cap stocks usually one and the same as low-priced stocks are doing well now -- the Russell 2000 Index is the best indicator of the small caps, and its up more than 14 year-to-date. And since they have been in the shadows while the big names get the glory, theyre usually better values here as well. Orion Energy Systems OESXOrion Energy Systems Inc NASDAQ:OESX only has a market cap of 93 million. And while it had a pop in early 2017, it hasnt done much until recently.Its in the lighting business. Basically it designs, manufactures and installs commercial lighting systems and energy management solutions. That may not sound like a big business, but it depends on who your clients are.And recently it looks like OESX has landed a big client. Its stock is up 230 in the past 12 months and a whopping 477 YTD. And 100 in the past three months.It has landed a big fish to be sure. And if its a big box retailer thats retrofitting its stores with energy-saving lighting, this is going to be a run that will last for a while.For now, however, few people are watching. Dont chase it, just buy in a little at a time. Sachem Capital Corp SACHSachem Capital Corp NYSE:SACH is an interesting company. Its in the real estate investment trust REIT sector and is classified as a REIT. But it doesnt hold properties, its holds first mortgages on properties.It offers whats know in the business as hard money loans, which are basically short-term three years or less, secured non-banking loans for acquisition, renovation or development of properties in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island.It has about a 105 million market cap, and its performance has been solid. Year-to-date its up 27. And that should continue since both the REIT sector and the small cap sector are both doing well here. 10 Small-Cap Stocks to Buy Before They Grow Up The real kicker is its 9.6 dividend. If youre looking for a long-term, small cap holding and a solid regional REIT play, look no further. New York Mortgage Trust NYMTNew York Mortgage Trust NASDAQ:NYMT is another REIT, with all the benefits discussed earlier regarding being involved in two hot sectors at once.It also focuses on the mortgages and financial assets of a development or builder rather than the physical assets. With rates this low and likely headed lower, this is a very good time for a firm like NYMT since many developers will grab properties while rates are low and then can develop over time.In mid-July, the company offered an additional 20 million shares, which diluted current shareholders but has boosted its operating capital so it can make more deals while the market is hot.Its stock performance is about breakeven at this point, but it has a huge 13.1 dividend. Its 1.3 billion market cap also means it has aspirations to build a bigger company over time. Innovative Systems and Support ISSCInnovative Systems and Support Inc NASDAQ:ISSC has been building avionics and instrumentation for the airline industry since 1988. Its customers are a whos who of the major commercial airlines, logistics companies and governmental agencies.With a 94 million market cap, this is a niche player in the sector, but that simply means its a reliable subcontractor to major contracts that are signed by various aviation companies. 7 Strong Buy Stocks the Street Loves This has been a very good year for the company -- and its stock -- its up 93 for the year and 150 YTD. With air travel expanding and online shopping continuing to grow, theres no doubt that airlines will be in need of the products ISSC delivers for many years to come. CorMedix CRMDCorMedix Inc NASDAQ:CRMD is a commercial-stage pharmaceutical company that focuses on its taurolidine technology to build a non-antibiotic, antimicrobial that can prevent bloodborne infections and inflammation in patients that are on IVs and catheters.It will be a contender with the long-time go-to, heparin.Earlier this month, the stock got a boost when the company announced that the Food and Drug Administration determined that it had passed its Phase III trial and doesnt need to expand its study further. That means CRMD is much closer to getting Neutrolin to market.It currently has a 219 million market cap and the stock has been doing well for a while. Its up 46 YTD and a whopping 214 in the past 12 months. CRMD has a good chance to be bought out or get a big licensing deal with a large pharmaceutical company. Adesto Technologies IOTSAdesto Technologies Corp NASDAQ:IOTS is a small chipmaker that specializes in non-volatile memory chips for the Internet of Things market.This is a massive long-term trend and as it expands, its a great place for smaller chipmakers to grab a foothold. IOTS is a full stack IOT provider in the industrial, medical, consumer and communications sectors.The IOT semiconductor space is looking at a compounded annual growth rate CAGR of 25 until 2022 and CAGR of 35 for industrial IOT building blocks demand.It already works with the major players across its sectors and has a global presence. This means it will continue to grow with its partners. 10 Companies Id Love to See Go Public Right now, its market cap is a mere 247 million, but its in a perfect position to grow alone or get acquired at a premium by a larger chip firm looking to gain market share in the sectors where IOTS thrives. Fluent FLNTFluent Inc NASDAQ:FLNT is an online marketing platform for businesses and publishers.Remember, the old publishing model collapsed after the internet drove paper publishing into the ground. It also hit the direct mail business hard as well. Then, as everyone started filling your inbox with tons of junk mail, that became increasingly difficult as well.That left companies looking for ways to build their customer lists and create effective advertising that customers would see. And digital agencies like FLNT were born to market to and acquire customers.It has a 410 million market cap, so it has done well in the nine years since its founding and it continues to grow. Year-to-date its up 54 and over the past 12 months it has returned 135, yet still trades at a trailing PE of 44.Louis Navellier is a renowned growth investor. He is the editor of four investing newsletters: Growth Investor, Breakthrough Stocks, Accelerated Profits and Platinum Growth. His most popular service, Growth Investor, has a track record of beating the market 3:1 over the last 14 years. He uses a combination of quantitative and fundamental analysis to identify market-beating stocks. Mr. Navellier has made his proven formula accessible to investors via his free, online stock rating tool, PortfolioGrader.com. Louis Navellier may hold some of the aforementioned securities in one or more of his newsletters. More From InvestorPlace 2 Toxic Pot Stocks You Should Avoid 7 Stocks to Buy With Over 20 Upside From Current Levels The 10 Best Stocks to Invest in for August 6 Upcoming IPOs for August The post 7 A-Rated Stocks Under 10 appeared first on InvestorPlace. 