Micro-cap Stocks are much maligned for being too volatile for the average investor. But, as experienced investors know, highly volatile investments can yield the best investment returns. A quick look at the best-performing stocks of 2005 proves this fact.

The Best Stocks of 2005 Were All Micro-caps

Of the 25 stocks that performed best in 2005, only Nutri/System (NTRI) had a market cap of $100 million at the start of the year. Ocean West Holding (OWHC), which was up an astounding 2,170% for calendar year 2005, ended the year with a mere $59 million market cap (that's after returning 2700%).

To be sure, micro-caps are volatile, (Ocean West is down over 50% after the first quarter of 2006, erasing most of 2005