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3 Reasons PGNY is Risky and 1 Stock to Buy Instead

PGNY Cover Image

Progyny has been on fire lately. In the past six months alone, the company’s stock price has rocketed 53.8%, reaching $21.50 per share. This was partly thanks to its solid quarterly results, and the run-up might have investors contemplating their next move.

Is there a buying opportunity in Progyny, or does it present a risk to your portfolio? Check out our in-depth research report to see what our analysts have to say, it’s free.

Why Is Progyny Not Exciting?

Despite the momentum, we're swiping left on Progyny for now. Here are three reasons why PGNY doesn't excite us and a stock we'd rather own.

1. Fewer Distribution Channels Limit its Ceiling

Larger companies benefit from economies of scale, where fixed costs like infrastructure, technology, and administration are spread over a higher volume of goods or services, reducing the cost per unit. Scale can also lead to bargaining power with suppliers, greater brand recognition, and more investment firepower. A virtuous cycle can ensue if a scaled company plays its cards right.

With just $1.21 billion in revenue over the past 12 months, Progyny is a small company in an industry where scale matters. This makes it difficult to build trust with customers because healthcare is heavily regulated, complex, and resource-intensive.

2. Projected Revenue Growth Is Slim

Forecasted revenues by Wall Street analysts signal a company’s potential. Predictions may not always be accurate, but accelerating growth typically boosts valuation multiples and stock prices while slowing growth does the opposite.

Over the next 12 months, sell-side analysts expect Progyny’s revenue to rise by 2.7%, a deceleration versus its 17.9% annualized growth for the past two years. This projection doesn't excite us and implies its products and services will face some demand challenges.

3. Previous Growth Initiatives Have Lost Money

Growth gives us insight into a company’s long-term potential, but how capital-efficient was that growth? Enter ROIC, a metric showing how much operating profit a company generates relative to the money it has raised (debt and equity).

Progyny’s five-year average ROIC was negative 6.2%, meaning management lost money while trying to expand the business. Its returns were among the worst in the healthcare sector.

Progyny Trailing 12-Month Return On Invested Capital

Final Judgment

Progyny isn’t a terrible business, but it isn’t one of our picks. Following the recent surge, the stock trades at 13.1× forward P/E (or $21.50 per share). Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but we don’t really see a big opportunity at the moment. We're pretty confident there are superior stocks to buy right now. Let us point you toward an all-weather company that owns household favorite Taco Bell.

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