The $10-50 price range often includes mid-sized businesses with proven track records and plenty of growth runway ahead. They also usually carry less risk than penny stocks, though they’re not immune to volatility as many lack the scale advantages of their larger peers.

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 avoid and some other investments you should consider instead.

Laureate Education (LAUR)

Share Price: $22.46

Founded in 1998 by Douglas L. Becker and based in Miami, Laureate Education (NASDAQ: LAUR) is a global network of higher education institutions.

Why Is LAUR Not Exciting?

1. Performance surrounding its enrolled students has lagged its peers
2. Earnings per share were flat over the last five years and fell short of the peer group average
3. Low returns on capital reflect management’s struggle to allocate funds effectively

At $22.46 per share, Laureate Education trades at 14.9x forward P/E. If you’re considering LAUR for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.

Pediatrix Medical Group (MD)

Share Price: $13.72

With a network of approximately 2,620 affiliated physicians caring for some of the most vulnerable patients, Pediatrix Medical Group (NYSE: MD) provides specialized physician services focused on neonatal, maternal-fetal, pediatric cardiology and other pediatric subspecialty care across 37 states.

Why Do We Think MD Will Underperform?

1. Lagging comparable store sales over the past two years suggest it might have to change its pricing and marketing strategy to stimulate demand
2. Earnings per share fell by 1.8% annually over the last five years while its revenue grew, showing its incremental sales were much less profitable
3. Eroding returns on capital from an already low base indicate that management’s recent investments are destroying value

Pediatrix Medical Group’s stock price of $13.72 implies a valuation ratio of 8.8x forward P/E. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than MD.

Kforce (KFRC)

Share Price: $40.61

With nearly 60 years of matching skilled professionals with the right opportunities, Kforce (NYSE: KFRC) is a professional staffing company that specializes in placing technology and finance experts with businesses on both temporary and permanent bases.

Why Is KFRC Risky?

1. Sales tumbled by 9.8% annually over the last two years, showing market trends are working against its favor during this cycle
2. Sales over the last five years were less profitable as its earnings per share fell by 11.7% annually while its revenue was flat
3. Shrinking returns on capital suggest that increasing competition is eating into the company’s profitability

Kforce is trading at $40.61 per share, or 16x forward P/E. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including KFRC in your portfolio.

Stocks We Like More

The market surged in 2024 and reached record highs after Donald Trump’s presidential victory in November, but questions about new economic policies are adding much uncertainty for 2025.

While the crowd speculates what might happen next, we’re homing in on the companies that can succeed regardless of the political or macroeconomic environment. Put yourself in the driver’s seat and build a durable portfolio by checking out our 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-small-cap company Comfort Systems (+782% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today for free.