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".
Not all profitable companies are created equal, and that’s why we built StockStory - to help you find the ones that truly shine bright. That said, here is one profitable company that generates reliable profits without sacrificing growth and two that may struggle to keep up.
Two Stocks to Sell:
SiteOne (SITE)
Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 4%
Known for distributing John Deere tractors and LESCO turf care products, SiteOne Landscape Supply (NYSE: SITE) provides landscaping products and services to professionals, including irrigation, lighting, and nursery supplies.
Why Do We Think SITE Will Underperform?
- Organic revenue growth fell short of our benchmarks over the past two years and implies it may need to improve its products, pricing, or go-to-market strategy
- Performance over the past two years shows its incremental sales were much less profitable, as its earnings per share fell by 17.7% annually
- Shrinking returns on capital suggest that increasing competition is eating into the company’s profitability
SiteOne is trading at $125.38 per share, or 31.6x forward P/E. To fully understand why you should be careful with SITE, check out our full research report (it’s free).
Merit Medical Systems (MMSI)
Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 11.6%
Founded in 1987 and now offering over 1,700 patented products across global markets, Merit Medical Systems (NASDAQ: MMSI) manufactures and markets specialized medical devices used in minimally invasive procedures for cardiology, radiology, oncology, critical care, and endoscopy.
Why Are We Hesitant About MMSI?
- Annual revenue growth of 6.8% over the last five years was below our standards for the healthcare sector
- Modest revenue base of $1.39 billion gives it less fixed cost leverage and fewer distribution channels than larger companies
- Below-average returns on capital indicate management struggled to find compelling investment opportunities
At $84.96 per share, Merit Medical Systems trades at 22.6x forward P/E. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why MMSI doesn’t pass our bar.
One Stock to Watch:
Astrana Health (ASTH)
Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 3.5%
Formerly known as Apollo Medical Holdings until early 2024, Astrana Health (NASDAQ: ASTH) operates a technology-powered healthcare platform that enables physicians to deliver coordinated care while successfully participating in value-based payment models.
Why Does ASTH Stand Out?
- Annual revenue growth of 35.9% over the last two years was superb and indicates its market share increased during this cycle
- Market share will likely rise over the next 12 months as its expected revenue growth of 32.8% is robust
- Earnings growth has trumped its peers over the last five years as its EPS has compounded at 21.4% annually
Astrana Health’s stock price of $24.69 implies a valuation ratio of 6x forward EV-to-EBITDA. Is now a good time to buy? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.
High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions
Donald Trump’s April 2024 "Liberation Day" tariffs sent markets into a tailspin, but stocks have since rebounded strongly, proving that knee-jerk reactions often create the best buying opportunities.
The smart money is already positioning for the next leg up. Don’t miss out on the recovery - check out our Top 5 Growth Stocks for this month. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 183% over the last five years (as of March 31st 2025).
Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-micro-cap company Kadant (+351% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today for free. Find your next big winner with StockStory today. Find your next big winner with StockStory today
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