Recent Articles from StockStory

A company with profits isn’t always a great investment. Some struggle to maintain growth, face looming threats, or fail to reinvest wisely, limiting their future potential.

While strong cash flow is a key indicator of stability, it doesn’t always translate to superior returns. Some cash-heavy businesses struggle with inefficient spending, slowing demand, or weak competitive positioning.

Whether you see them or not, industrials businesses play a crucial part in our daily activities. Unfortunately, this role also comes with a demand profile tethered to the ebbs and flows of the broader economy, and investors seem to be forecasting a downturn - over the past six months, the industry has pulled back by 12.1%. This drawdown was worse than the S&P 500’s 5.2% fall.

A company with profits isn’t always a great investment. Some struggle to maintain growth, face looming threats, or fail to reinvest wisely, limiting their future potential.

A company that generates cash isn’t automatically a winner. Some businesses stockpile cash but fail to reinvest wisely, limiting their ability to expand.

Generating cash is essential for any business, but not all cash-rich companies are great investments. Some produce plenty of cash but fail to allocate it effectively, leading to missed opportunities.

Companies that burn cash at a rapid pace can run into serious trouble if they fail to secure funding. Without a clear path to profitability, these businesses risk dilution, mounting debt, or even bankruptcy.

Semiconductors are the core infrastructure powering the Information Age. Still, they’re subject to swings in the broader economy because customers often stockpile chips ahead of demand, and investors seem to believe that inventory levels are correcting - over the past six months, the industry has shed 23.5%. This drawdown was noticeably worse than the S&P 500’s 5.2% loss.

Not all profitable companies are built to last - some rely on outdated models or unsustainable advantages. Just because a business is in the green today doesn’t mean it will thrive tomorrow.

Industrials businesses quietly power the physical things we depend on, from cars and homes to e-commerce infrastructure. But they are at the whim of volatile macroeconomic factors that influence capital spending (like interest rates), and the market seems convinced that demand will slow. Due to this bearish outlook, the industry has tumbled by 12.1% over the past six months. This performance was worse than the S&P 500’s 5.2% decline.

Wall Street is overwhelmingly bullish on the stocks in this article, with price targets suggesting significant upside potential. However, it’s worth remembering that analysts rarely issue sell ratings, partly because their firms often seek other business from the same companies they cover.

Profitability is a key measure of business strength. Companies with high margins have proven they can generate consistent earnings while maintaining financial discipline.

Whether you see them or not, industrials businesses play a crucial part in our daily activities. But they are at the whim of volatile macroeconomic factors that influence capital spending (like interest rates), and the market seems convinced that demand will slow. Due to this bearish outlook, the industry has tumbled by 12.1% over the past six months. This drawdown was worse than the S&P 500’s 5.2% decline.

The low valuation multiples for value stocks provide a margin of safety that growth stocks rarely offer. However, the challenge lies in determining whether these cheap assets are genuinely undervalued or simply on sale due to their potentially deteriorating business models.

Unprofitable companies can burn through cash quickly, leaving investors exposed if they fail to turn things around. Without a clear path to profitability, these businesses risk running out of capital or relying on dilutive fundraising.

Wall Street has set ambitious price targets for the stocks in this article. While this suggests attractive upside potential, it’s important to remain skeptical because analysts face institutional pressures that can sometimes lead to overly optimistic forecasts.

Many investors pay attention to mid-cap stocks because they have established business models and expansive market opportunities. However, their paths to becoming $100 billion corporations are ripe with competition, ranging from giants with vast resources to agile upstarts eager to disrupt the status quo.

While the S&P 500 (^GSPC) includes industry leaders, not every stock in the index is a winner. Some companies are past their prime, weighed down by poor execution, weak financials, or structural headwinds.

Market swings can be tough to stomach, and volatile stocks often experience exaggerated moves in both directions. While many thrive during risk-on environments, many also struggle to maintain investor confidence when the ride gets bumpy.

The stocks in this article have caught Wall Street’s attention in a big way, with price targets implying returns above 20%. But investors should take these forecasts with a grain of salt because analysts typically say nice things about companies so their firms can win business in other product lines like M&A advisory.

Value stocks typically trade at discounts to the broader market, offering patient investors the opportunity to buy businesses when they’re out of favor. The key risk, however, is that these stocks are usually cheap for a reason – five cents for a piece of fruit may seem like a great deal until you find out it’s rotten.

Market swings can be tough to stomach, and volatile stocks often experience exaggerated moves in both directions. While many thrive during risk-on environments, many also struggle to maintain investor confidence when the ride gets bumpy.

The S&P 500 (^GSPC) is often seen as a benchmark for strong businesses, but that doesn’t mean every stock is worth owning. Some companies face significant challenges, whether it’s stagnating growth, heavy debt, or disruptive new competitors.

The Russell 2000 (^RUT) is packed with potential breakout stocks, thanks to its focus on smaller companies with high growth potential. However, smaller size also means these businesses often lack the resilience and financial flexibility of large-cap firms, making careful selection crucial.

Many small-cap stocks have limited Wall Street coverage, giving savvy investors the chance to act before everyone else catches on. But the flip side is that these businesses have increased downside risk because they lack the scale and staying power of their larger competitors.

Wellness company Medifast (NYSE:MED) will be reporting results tomorrow after market hours. Here’s what to expect.

Manufacturing company Leggett & Platt (NYSE:LEG) will be reporting earnings tomorrow after market close. Here’s what to look for.

Building materials manufacturer UFP Industries (NASDAQ:UFPI) will be reporting earnings tomorrow afternoon. Here’s what to look for.

Professional staffing firm Kforce (NYSE:KFRC) will be announcing earnings results tomorrow after the bell. Here’s what you need to know.

Metal packaging products manufacturer Crown Holdings (NYSE:CCK) will be reporting results tomorrow after the bell. Here’s what investors should know.

Hospital management company Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) will be announcing earnings results tomorrow after market close. Here’s what to expect.

Building products manufacturer Simpson (NYSE:SSD) will be announcing earnings results tomorrow after market hours. Here’s what investors should know.

Industrial conglomerate Crane (NYSE:CR) will be reporting results tomorrow after market hours. Here’s what investors should know.

Chip manufacturer NXP Semiconductors (NASDAQ: NXPI) will be reporting results tomorrow afternoon. Here’s what to look for.

Semiconductor packaging and testing company Amkor Technology (NASDAQ:AMKR) will be reporting earnings tomorrow after market hours. Here’s what investors should know.

Aerospace and defense company Woodward (NASDAQ:WWD) will be reporting earnings tomorrow afternoon. Here’s what to expect.

Network application delivery and security specialist F5 (NASDAQ:FFIV) will be announcing earnings results tomorrow after market close. Here’s what to look for.

Electronics manufacturing services company Sanmina (NASDAQ:SANM) will be announcing earnings results tomorrow after market close. Here’s what to expect.

Semiconductor design software provider Cadence Design Systems (NASDAQ:CDNS) will be announcing earnings results tomorrow after the bell. Here’s what you need to know.

Life sciences company Revvity (NYSE:RVTY) will be reporting results tomorrow before market hours. Here’s what investors should know.

Waste management services provider Waste Management (NYSE:WM) will be reporting earnings tomorrow after the bell. Here’s what to look for.

Semiconductor testing company Teradyne (NASDAQ:TER) will be reporting results tomorrow after market close. Here’s what to expect.

Fast-food pizza chain Domino’s (NYSE:DPZ) will be reporting earnings tomorrow before market open. Here’s what investors should know.

Freight delivery company Knight-Swift Transportation (NYSE:KNX) beat Wall Street’s revenue expectations in Q1 CY2025, but sales were flat year on year at $1.82 billion. Its non-GAAP profit of $0.28 per share was 18.4% above analysts’ consensus estimates.

Medical device company ResMed (NYSE:RMD) met Wall Street’s revenue expectations in Q1 CY2025, with sales up 7.9% year on year to $1.29 billion. Its non-GAAP profit of $2.37 per share was in line with analysts’ consensus estimates.

Pest control company Rollins (NYSE:ROL) met Wall Street’s revenue expectations in Q1 CY2025, with sales up 9.9% year on year to $822.5 million. Its non-GAAP profit of $0.22 per share was in line with analysts’ consensus estimates.

Auto parts and accessories retailer O’Reilly Automotive (NASDAQ:ORLY) missed Wall Street’s revenue expectations in Q1 CY2025 as sales rose 4% year on year to $4.14 billion. The company’s full-year revenue guidance of $17.55 billion at the midpoint came in 0.6% below analysts’ estimates. Its GAAP profit of $9.35 per share was 5.6% below analysts’ consensus estimates.

Equipment rental company United Rentals (NYSE:URI) reported Q1 CY2025 results exceeding the market’s revenue expectations, with sales up 6.7% year on year to $3.72 billion. The company expects the full year’s revenue to be around $15.85 billion, close to analysts’ estimates. Its non-GAAP profit of $8.86 per share was 0.5% above analysts’ consensus estimates.

Technology and consulting giant IBM (NYSE:IBM) reported Q1 CY2025 results beating Wall Street’s revenue expectations, but sales were flat year on year at $14.54 billion. The company expects next quarter’s revenue to be around $16.56 billion, close to analysts’ estimates. Its non-GAAP profit of $1.60 per share was 12% above analysts’ consensus estimates.

Enterprise workflow software maker ServiceNow (NYSE:NOW) met Wall Street’s revenue expectations in Q1 CY2025, with sales up 18.6% year on year to $3.09 billion. Its non-GAAP profit of $4.05 per share was 5.6% above analysts’ consensus estimates.

Fluid and coating equipment company Graco (NYSE:GGG) met Wall Street’s revenue expectations in Q1 CY2025, with sales up 7.3% year on year to $528.3 million. Its non-GAAP profit of $0.70 per share was 4.2% above analysts’ consensus estimates.

Mexican fast-food chain Chipotle (NYSE:CMG) fell short of the market’s revenue expectations in Q1 CY2025, but sales rose 6.4% year on year to $2.88 billion. Its non-GAAP profit of $0.29 per share was 5.3% above analysts’ consensus estimates.

Analog chip manufacturer Texas Instruments (NASDAQ:TXN) beat Wall Street’s revenue expectations in Q1 CY2025, with sales up 11.1% year on year to $4.07 billion. The company expects next quarter’s revenue to be around $4.35 billion, close to analysts’ estimates. Its GAAP profit of $1.28 per share was 20.2% above analysts’ consensus estimates.

Semiconductor equipment maker Lam Research (NASDAQ:LRCX) reported Q1 CY2025 results topping the market’s revenue expectations, with sales up 24.4% year on year to $4.72 billion. The company expects next quarter’s revenue to be around $5 billion, close to analysts’ estimates. Its non-GAAP profit of $1.04 per share was 3.8% above analysts’ consensus estimates.

A cash-heavy balance sheet is often a sign of strength, but not always. Some companies avoid debt because they have weak business models, limited expansion opportunities, or inconsistent cash flow.

Shares of health coverage company Centene (NYSE:CNC) fell 7.6% in the morning session after the company reported a mixed first-quarter 2025 performance: a decline in total customers and a slightly weaker full-year earnings outlook cast a shadow over the results. On the other hand, revenue and adjusted EPS both beat expectations. Overall, we think this was a weaker quarter.

Shares of transportation and logistics solutions provider Universal Logistics (NASDAQ:ULH) fell 9.1% in the morning session after the company reported weak first-quarter 2025 results, as both revenue and EBITDA fell well below Wall Street's expectations. Sales fell across every major segment: contract logistics, the company's largest line, shrank 18%, while intermodal and trucking dropped nearly 10% and 20%, respectively. Management acknowledged the sluggish start but pointed to improving trends later in the quarter, and emphasized plans to restructure underperforming operations and pursue new customer wins. Still, with no guidance issued and visibility into a rebound unclear, the quarter offered little to ease concerns about the company's path back to growth.

Shares of life sciences company Avantor (NYSE:AVTR) fell 21.2% in the afternoon session after the company reported a weak first-quarter 2025 performance, as its organic revenue and total sales both missed Wall Street's expectations. Sales dropped 6% from a year ago, reflecting softness across both major business segments. Lab Solutions declined 8% while Bioscience Production slipped slightly. Encouragingly, management raised its cost savings target to $400 million by 2027 and signaled urgency to fix performance issues in the Lab Solutions segment. Overall, this was a softer quarter.

Shares of cable, internet, and telephone services provider Charter (NASDAQ:CHTR) jumped 11.2% in the afternoon session after the company reported strong first-quarter 2025 results, with earnings and EBITDA exceeding analysts' estimates, signaling improved cost control and solid profit growth. On the other hand, its number of internet subscribers missed. Zooming out, we think this was a decent quarter featuring some areas of strength but also some blemishes.

Shares of electric vehicle pioneer Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) jumped 10.4% in the afternoon session after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), rolled out new rules to speed up the launch of home-built self-driving cars. As part of this push, the group planned to cut red tape in crash reports, making it easier for firms like Tesla to test their autonomous vehicles. NHTSA also wants to stretch an old rule that lets some cars skip standard checks, so more US-made driverless cars can join. These moves were designed to offer a clear plan to put the US ahead in the autonomous vehicle market, especially as China steps up its game. 

Shares of freight carrier Old Dominion (NASDAQ:ODFL) fell 8.7% in the afternoon session after the company reported underwhelming first-quarter 2025 results, as a drop in revenue and earnings weighed on investor sentiment. Revenue fell nearly 6% year on year, driven by a decline in tonnage and shipment counts. Overall, this was a weaker quarter.

Shares of HVAC and electrical contractor Comfort Systems (NYSE:FIX) jumped 11% in the pre-market session after the company reported stunning first-quarter 2025 results, which crushed earnings and backlog expectations, pointing to strong demand and solid execution in a typically soft seasonal period. Same-store backlog grew 16%, a massive jump that signaled growing confidence from customers and a robust pipeline of future projects. Zooming out, we think this was a solid quarter.

Shares of gaming and hospitality company Boyd Gaming (NYSE:BYD) jumped 6.8% in the morning session after the company reported strong first-quarter 2025 results, with revenue, EBITDA, and earnings per share all coming in above Wall Street's expectations, despite weather disruptions and a tough comparison to last year's leap year bump. The real story was the 20% jump in online segment revenue, now a vital part of Boyd's growth engine, fueled by higher contributions from digital casino games. Overall, this quarter had some key positives.

Shares of children’s apparel manufacturer Carter’s (NYSE:CRI) fell 11.5% in the afternoon session after the company reported weak first-quarter 2025 results, as a narrow beat on adjusted EPS and stronger-than-expected same-store sales were overshadowed by its suspension of forward guidance amid a CEO transition and tariff uncertainty. 

Shares of freight transportation and logistics provider Saia (NASDAQ:SAIA) fell 34.8% in the afternoon session after the company reported weak first-quarter 2025 results, with its revenue and EBITDA both falling short of analysts' estimates, reflecting a tough start to the year. The real story was the sharp sales and profit declines, driven by weather-related disruptions, and weaker-than-expected March shipments. While revenue ticked up 4%, that modest gain masked deeper issues: growth in tonnage and shipments was undermined by a drop in revenue per unit, especially when excluding fuel surcharges, which fell more than 5%. The lack of typical seasonal acceleration in March also weighed heavily on performance. Overall, this was a softer quarter.

Electronic system and device provider Bel Fuse (NASDAQ:BELFA) reported revenue ahead of Wall Street’s expectations in Q1 CY2025, with sales up 18.9% year on year to $152.2 million. Its GAAP profit of $1.36 per share was 64.8% above analysts’ consensus estimates.

Semiconductors are the silicon backbone of the digital revolution. Still, they’re subject to swings in the broader economy because customers often stockpile chips ahead of demand, and investors seem to believe that inventory levels are correcting - over the past six months, the industry has shed 24.2%. This drop was noticeably worse than the S&P 500’s 5.7% fall.

Generating cash is essential for any business, but not all cash-rich companies are great investments. Some produce plenty of cash but fail to allocate it effectively, leading to missed opportunities.

Healthcare companies are pushing the status quo by innovating in areas like drug development and digital health. But speed bumps such as inventory destockings have persisted in the wake of COVID-19, and over the past six months, the industry has pulled back by 10.9%. This drawdown was worse than the S&P 500’s 5.7% decline.

Not all profitable companies are built to last - some rely on outdated models or unsustainable advantages. Just because a business is in the green today doesn’t mean it will thrive tomorrow.

While profitability is essential, it doesn’t guarantee long-term success. Some companies that rest on their margins will lose ground as competition intensifies - as Jeff Bezos said, "Your margin is my opportunity".

Value investing has created more billionaires than any other strategy, like Warren Buffett, who built his fortune by purchasing wonderful businesses at reasonable prices. But these hidden gems are few and far between - many stocks that appear cheap often stay that way because they face structural issues.

Hitting a new 52-week low can be a pivotal moment for any stock. These floors often mark either the beginning of a turnaround story or confirmation that a company faces serious headwinds.

While profitability is essential, it doesn’t guarantee long-term success. Some companies that rest on their margins will lose ground as competition intensifies - as Jeff Bezos said, "Your margin is my opportunity".

Even if they go mostly unnoticed, industrial businesses are the backbone of our country. Still, their generally high capital requirements expose them to the ups and downs of economic cycles, and the market seems to be baking in a prolonged downturn as the industry has shed 11.3% over the past six months. This performance was worse than the S&P 500’s 5.7% loss.