Not all profitable companies are built to last - some rely on outdated models or unsustainable advantages.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.
Profits are valuable, but they’re not everything. At StockStory, we help you identify the companies that have real staying power. That said, here are two profitable companies that generate reliable profits without sacrificing growth and one that may struggle to keep up.
One Stock to Sell:
CME Group (CME)
Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 65.6%
Born from the Chicago Mercantile Exchange founded in 1898 as a butter and egg trading venue, CME Group (NASDAQ: CME) operates the world's largest derivatives marketplace where traders can buy and sell futures and options contracts across interest rates, equities, currencies, commodities, and more.
Why Does CME Worry Us?
CME Group’s stock price of $241.44 implies a valuation ratio of 19.7x forward P/E. If you’re considering CME for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.
Two Stocks to Watch:
Alphabet (GOOGL)
Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 32.7%
Started by Stanford students Larry Page and Sergey Brin in a Menlo Park garage, Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL) is the parent company of the eponymous Google Search engine, Google Cloud Platform, and YouTube.
Why Are We Bullish on GOOGL?
- Alphabet’s dominant Google Search sits on the pantheon of the best businesses ever. This is reflected in its robust long-term revenue growth and elite operating margin.
- The company’s profit margins have become even higher over time, speaking to its scale advantages and operating efficiency not only in its core Search business but also in Google Cloud Platform and YouTube.
- Revenue growth and increasing operating margins are the key ingredients for strong EPS growth. Google has these, and when also factoring in its share repurchases, you can see why EPS has exploded over the long term.
Alphabet is trading at $357.01 per share, or 28.6x forward price-to-earnings. Is now the right time to buy? See for yourself in our full research report, it’s free.
Amgen (AMGN)
Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 28.4%
Founded in 1980 during the early days of the biotechnology revolution, Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN) is a biotechnology company that discovers, develops, and manufactures innovative medicines to treat serious illnesses like cancer, osteoporosis, and autoimmune diseases.
Why Does AMGN Stand Out?
- 12.3% annual revenue growth over the last two years surpassed the sector average as its offerings resonated with customers
- Economies of scale give it more fixed cost leverage than its smaller competitors
- Strong free cash flow margin of 27.7% enables it to reinvest or return capital consistently
At $364.07 per share, Amgen trades at 16.1x forward P/E. Is now a good time to buy? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.
High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions
ALSO WORTH WATCHING: Top 5 Momentum Stocks. The best time to own a great stock is when the market is finally noticing it. These aren’t just high-quality businesses. Something is happening with them right now. Elite fundamentals meet near-term momentum — both boxes checked at the same time.
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Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,326% between June 2020 and June 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-small-cap company Comfort Systems (+782% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.
