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.
Not all companies are created equal, and StockStory is here to surface the ones with real upside. That said, here are three cash-producing companies to avoid and some better opportunities instead.
Sinclair (SBGI)
Trailing 12-Month Free Cash Flow Margin: 7.3%
With over 2,400 hours of local news produced weekly and 640 broadcast channels reaching millions of American homes, Sinclair (NASDAQ: SBGI) operates a network of 185 local television stations across 86 U.S. markets, producing news programming and distributing content from major networks.
Why Are We Out on SBGI?
- Sales tumbled by 11.2% annually over the last five years, showing market trends are working against its favor during this cycle
- Diminishing returns on capital suggest its earlier profit pools are drying up
- 6× net-debt-to-EBITDA ratio shows it’s overleveraged and increases the probability of shareholder dilution if things turn unexpectedly
Sinclair’s stock price of $15.34 implies a valuation ratio of 8.7x forward EV-to-EBITDA. To fully understand why you should be careful with SBGI, check out our full research report (it’s free for active Edge members).
CVS Health (CVS)
Trailing 12-Month Free Cash Flow Margin: 1.6%
With over 9,000 retail pharmacy locations serving as neighborhood health destinations across America, CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) operates retail pharmacies, provides pharmacy benefit management services, and offers health insurance through its Aetna subsidiary.
Why Does CVS Fall Short?
- Sizable revenue base leads to growth challenges as its 6.4% annual revenue increases over the last two years fell short of other healthcare companies
- Performance over the past five years shows its incremental sales were much less profitable, as its earnings per share fell by 2.9% annually
- Below-average returns on capital indicate management struggled to find compelling investment opportunities, and its shrinking returns suggest its past profit sources are losing steam
CVS Health is trading at $78.08 per share, or 11.4x forward P/E. If you’re considering CVS for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.
HP (HPQ)
Trailing 12-Month Free Cash Flow Margin: 5.1%
Born from the legendary Silicon Valley garage startup founded by Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard in 1939, HP (NYSE: HPQ) designs and sells personal computers, printers, and related technology products and services to consumers, businesses, and enterprises worldwide.
Why Should You Dump HPQ?
- Products and services are facing end-market challenges during this cycle, as seen in its flat sales over the last five years
- Earnings per share fell by 2.8% annually over the last two years while its revenue grew, showing its incremental sales were much less profitable
- Free cash flow margin dropped by 4.1 percentage points over the last five years, implying the company became more capital intensive as competition picked up
At $22.92 per share, HP trades at 7.6x forward P/E. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why HPQ doesn’t pass our bar.
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