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3 Stocks Under $50 That Fall Short

PBPB Cover Image

Stocks trading between $10 and $50 can be particularly interesting as they frequently represent businesses that have survived their early challenges. However, investors should remain vigilant as some may still have unproven business models, leaving them vulnerable to the ebbs and flows of the broader market.

This is precisely where StockStory comes in - we do the heavy lifting to identify companies with solid fundamentals so you can invest with confidence. Keeping that in mind, here are three stocks under $50 to swipe left on and some alternatives you should look into instead.

Potbelly (PBPB)

Share Price: $17.05

With a unique origin story where the company actually started as an antique shop, Potbelly (NASDAQ: PBPB) today is a chain known for its toasty sandwiches.

Why Are We Wary of PBPB?

  1. Lackluster 2.1% annual revenue growth over the last six years indicates the company is losing ground to competitors
  2. Modest revenue base of $469.1 million gives it less fixed cost leverage and fewer distribution channels than larger companies
  3. Negative returns on capital show that some of its growth strategies have backfired

Potbelly is trading at $17.05 per share, or 50.9x forward P/E. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than PBPB.

Carriage Services (CSV)

Share Price: $46.91

Established in 1991, Carriage Services (NYSE: CSV) is a provider of funeral and cemetery services in the United States.

Why Does CSV Worry Us?

  1. 4.3% annual revenue growth over the last two years was slower than its consumer discretionary peers
  2. Estimated sales growth of 1.9% for the next 12 months implies demand will slow from its two-year trend
  3. ROIC of 10% reflects management’s challenges in identifying attractive investment opportunities, and its falling returns suggest its earlier profit pools are drying up

Carriage Services’s stock price of $46.91 implies a valuation ratio of 14.4x forward P/E. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including CSV in your portfolio.

WillScot Mobile Mini (WSC)

Share Price: $23.29

Originally focusing on mobile offices for construction sites, WillScot (NASDAQ: WSC) provides ready-to-use temporary spaces, largely for longer-term lease.

Why Does WSC Fall Short?

  1. Flat sales over the last two years suggest it must find different ways to grow during this cycle
  2. Falling earnings per share over the last two years has some investors worried as stock prices ultimately follow EPS over the long term
  3. Free cash flow margin dropped by 6.9 percentage points over the last five years, implying the company became more capital intensive as competition picked up

At $23.29 per share, WillScot Mobile Mini trades at 12.4x forward P/E. If you’re considering WSC for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.

High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions

When Trump unveiled his aggressive tariff plan in April 2025, markets tanked as investors feared a full-blown trade war. But those who panicked and sold missed the subsequent rebound that’s already erased most losses.

Don’t let fear keep you from great opportunities and take a look at Top 9 Market-Beating Stocks. 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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