For the better part of the past two years, Wall Street strategists from many of the firms we cover have stressed to their clients to stick with the large- and mega-cap stocks. The reasoning was solid, as typically those stocks are the safest from a volatility standpoint and have the most liquidity. The strategy has been a good one as the large-cap leaders have done well, especially in technology.

The Credit Suisse team, in a new report, says investors may want to look at the top mid-cap companies to own. They are also advising clients to avoid come of the popular and over-owned stocks. In fact, within the Russell Midcap Index, the least popular names in mid-cap funds have experienced the best performance so far in 2014. In 2012 and 2013, the best performing Russell mid-cap stocks were found among the middle tiers of ownership.

Investors who realize they have a portfolio stuffed with mega-cap stocks may want to consider taking some profits or discarding some of the losers, if you follow their strategy. Adding big mid-cap companies keeps a level of safety in a solid growth portfolio and may add some alpha to beat the market, as many of the stocks are under-followed.

We screened the Credit Suisse research report for the top new ideas to own by sector. Here are the stocks rated Outperform.

Alliant Techsystems Inc. (NYSE: ATK) is a top defense stock rated Outperform at Credit Suisse. The company is a world-leading producer of ammunition, precision weapons and rocket motors. It announced Monday that it has received international contracts totaling more than $220 million from U.S. allies for medium-caliber cannons and aftermarket services that will support cannon system integration and product life cycle.

Alliant investors are paid a 1% dividend. Credit Suisse has a $177 price target on the stock. The Thomson/First Call consensus price target is at $154.44. The stock closed Tuesday at $134.69 a share.

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Community Health Systems Inc. (NYSE: CYH) is a top health care name for investors to consider. The Credit Suisse Community Health thesis is predicated on coverage expansion under ACA reform providing a substantial boost in 2014 and beyond and a large asset base providing geographic diversification and scale advantages. The Credit Suisse price target is $48. The consensus target is $50.84. Shares closed Tuesday at $45.15.

Eaton Vance Corp. (NYSE: EV) is a somewhat neglected mutual fund and closed end fund company money manager. Credit Suisse has said in the past that underperformance provides a buying opportunity for long-term investors as it sees net asset flows improving in 2014 and beyond. The company pays investors a 2.3% dividend. Credit Suisse has a $44 price target, and the consensus target is $39.42. Eaton Vance ended Tuesday at $37.78.

International Paper Co. (NYSE: IP) was an addition in a big way to the portfolio of George Soros this year. The paper and products company recently modified its share repurchase program to enhance shareholder value. Under the new share repurchase program, the company has doubled its share authorization tally to enable repurchase of an additional $1.5 billion worth of stock. The additional shares over its existing $1.5 billion share repurchase authorization could be repurchased through a slew of open market transactions.

International Paper investors are paid a solid 2.9% dividend. Credit Suisse has a $69 price target, and the consensus target is $55.93. The stock closed at $47.11 on Tuesday.

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Monster Beverage Corp. (NASDAQ: MNST) is a top consumer discretionary name to buy at Credit Suisse. The company is increasing its convenience-store penetration through innovations. It has had recent success launching Muscle Monster protein and energy drinks, a zero-calorie energy-drink line and other new products that have enabled it to grow market share. With high margins and a growing market share, the stock is a solid add.

Monster’s price target at Credit Suisse is $82, and the consensus target is posted at $78.46. Monster closed trading Tuesday at $65.45. Hitting the Credit Suisse target would be a 25% gain.

Sally Beauty Holdings Inc. (NYSE: SBH) is an international specialty retailer and distributor of professional beauty supplies with revenues of $3.6 billion annually. Through the Sally Beauty Supply and Beauty Systems Group businesses, the company sells and distributes through 4,700 stores, including approximately 200 franchised units. Credit Suisse has a $32 price objective and the consensus target is $30.11. Shares closed trading Tuesday at $24.35.

Verint Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: VRNT) is a global leader in actionable intelligence solutions. Its portfolio of Enterprise Intelligence Solutions and Security Intelligence Solutions helps organizations make big data actionable through the ability to capture, analyze and act on large volumes of rich, complex and often underused information sources, such as voice, video and unstructured text.

Verint’s price target at Credit Suisse is $57, and the consensus target is at $57.88. The stock closed Tuesday at $48.68 a share.

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