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.

This distinction between true value and value traps can challenge even the most skilled investors. Luckily for you, we started StockStory to help you uncover exceptional companies. That said, here are three value stocks climbing an uphill battle and some other investments you should look into instead.

Sensata Technologies (ST)

Forward P/E Ratio: 8.4x

Originally a temperature sensor control maker and a subsidiary of Texas Instruments for 60 years, Sensata Technology Holdings (NYSE: ST) is a leading supplier of analog sensors used in industrial and transportation applications, best known for its dominant position in the tire pressure monitoring systems in cars.

Why Are We Out on ST?

1. Products and services are facing significant end-market challenges during this cycle as sales have declined by 4.8% annually over the last two years
2. High input costs result in an inferior gross margin of 30.2% that must be offset through higher volumes
3. Low returns on capital reflect management’s struggle to allocate funds effectively, and its decreasing returns suggest its historical profit centers are aging

At $28.80 per share, Sensata Technologies trades at 8.4x forward P/E. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than ST.

Royalty Pharma (RPRX)

Forward P/E Ratio: 7.8x

Pioneering a unique business model in the pharmaceutical industry since 1996, Royalty Pharma (NASDAQ: RPRX) acquires rights to receive portions of sales from successful biopharmaceutical products, providing funding to drug developers without conducting research itself.

Why Do We Think Twice About RPRX?

1. Flat sales over the last two years suggest it must find different ways to grow during this cycle
2. Smaller revenue base of $2.35 billion means it hasn’t achieved the economies of scale that some industry juggernauts enjoy
3. Efficiency has decreased over the last five years as its adjusted operating margin fell by 4.4 percentage points

Royalty Pharma is trading at $39 per share, or 7.8x forward P/E. If you’re considering RPRX for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.

Omnicom Group (OMC)

Forward P/E Ratio: 8x

With a vast network of creative agencies that helped craft some of the most memorable ad campaigns in history, Omnicom Group (NYSE: OMC) is a strategic holding company that provides advertising, marketing, and communications services to many of the world's largest companies.

Why Does OMC Fall Short?

1. 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
2. Free cash flow margin dropped by 7.6 percentage points over the last five years, implying the company became more capital intensive as competition picked up
3. Eroding returns on capital suggest its historical profit centers are aging

Omnicom Group’s stock price of $73.10 implies a valuation ratio of 8x forward P/E. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including OMC in your portfolio.

High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions

Your portfolio can’t afford to be based on yesterday’s story. The risk in a handful of heavily crowded stocks is rising daily.

The names generating the next wave of massive growth are right here in our Top 6 Stocks for this week. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 244% over the last five years (as of June 30, 2025).

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 for free. Find your next big winner with StockStory today. Find your next big winner with StockStory today

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