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. Keeping that in mind, here are two value stocks offering compelling risk-reward profiles and one with little support.

One Value Stock to Sell:

Caleres (CAL)

Forward P/E Ratio: 4.9x

The owner of Dr. Scholl's, Caleres (NYSE: CAL) is a footwear company offering a range of styles.

Why Do We Think CAL Will Underperform?

1. Sales tumbled by 1.4% annually over the last five years, showing consumer trends are working against its favor
2. Estimated sales for the next 12 months are flat and imply a softer demand environment
3. Below-average returns on capital indicate management struggled to find compelling investment opportunities

Caleres is trading at $15.26 per share, or 4.9x forward P/E. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than CAL.

Two Value Stocks to Watch:

Napco (NSSC)

Forward P/E Ratio: 21.1x

Protecting everything from schools to government facilities since 1969, Napco Security Technologies (NASDAQ: NSSC) manufactures electronic security devices, access control systems, and communication services for intrusion and fire alarm systems.

Why Is NSSC a Good Business?

1. Market share has increased this cycle as its 10.9% annual revenue growth over the last five years was exceptional
2. Impressive free cash flow profitability enables the company to fund new investments or reward investors with share buybacks/dividends, and its improved cash conversion implies it’s becoming a less capital-intensive business
3. Returns on capital are climbing as management makes more lucrative bets

Napco’s stock price of $24.95 implies a valuation ratio of 21.1x forward P/E. Is now a good time to buy? See for yourself in our full research report, it’s free.

Thermon (THR)

Forward P/E Ratio: 14x

Creating the first packaged tracing systems, Thermon (NYSE: THR) is a leading provider of engineered industrial process heating solutions for process industries.

Why Are We Fans of THR?

1. Offerings are mission-critical for businesses and result in a premier gross margin of 42.3%
2. Operating profits increased over the last five years as the company gained some leverage on its fixed costs and became more efficient
3. Free cash flow margin expanded by 3.2 percentage points over the last five years, providing additional flexibility for investments and share buybacks/dividends

At $27.52 per share, Thermon trades at 14x forward P/E. Is now the time to initiate a position? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.

Stocks That Overcame Trump’s 2018 Tariffs

Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election sent major indices to all-time highs, but stocks have retraced as investors debate the health of the economy and the potential impact of tariffs.

While this leaves much uncertainty around 2025, a few companies are poised for long-term gains regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate, like our Top 5 Strong Momentum Stocks for this week. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 175% over the last five years.

Stocks that made our list in 2019 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+2,183% between December 2019 and December 2024) as well as under-the-radar businesses like Sterling Infrastructure (+1,096% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today for free.