Stocks in the $10-50 range offer a sweet spot between affordability and stability as they’re typically more established than penny stocks. But their headline prices don’t guarantee quality, and investors should exercise caution as some have shaky business models.
These dynamics can cause headaches for even the most seasoned professionals, which is why we started StockStory - to help you separate the good companies from the bad. That said, here is one stock under $50 with massive upside potential and two best left ignored.
Two Stocks Under $50 to Sell:
ACV Auctions (ACVA)
Share Price: $10.50
Founded in 2014, ACV Auctions (NASDAQ: ACVA) is an online auction marketplace for car dealers and wholesalers to buy and sell used cars.
Why Are We Cautious About ACVA?
- Bad unit economics and steep infrastructure costs are reflected in its low gross margin of 26.2%
- High marketing expenses suggest it needs to spend heavily on new customer acquisition to sustain momentum
- Low free cash flow margin of 2.7% for the last two years gives it little breathing room, constraining its ability to self-fund growth or return capital to shareholders
ACV Auctions is trading at $10.50 per share, or 17.1x forward EV/EBITDA. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including ACVA in your portfolio.
Cracker Barrel (CBRL)
Share Price: $46.10
Known for its country-themed food and merchandise, Cracker Barrel (NASDAQ: CBRL) is a beloved American restaurant and retail chain that celebrates the warmth and charm of Southern hospitality.
Why Do We Think CBRL Will Underperform?
- Poor same-store sales performance over the past two years indicates it’s having trouble bringing new diners into its restaurants
- Sales are projected to tank by 2% over the next 12 months as demand evaporates
- Subpar operating margin of 1.4% constrains its ability to invest in process improvements or effectively respond to new competitive threats
Cracker Barrel’s stock price of $46.10 implies a valuation ratio of 13.4x forward P/E. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why CBRL doesn’t pass our bar.
One Stock Under $50 to Buy:
Merchants Bancorp (MBIN)
Share Price: $33
With a strategic focus on low-risk, government-backed lending programs, Merchants Bancorp (NASDAQCM:MBIN) is an Indiana-based bank holding company specializing in multi-family mortgage banking, mortgage warehousing, and traditional banking services.
Why Should You Buy MBIN?
- Market share has increased this cycle as its 22.9% annual net interest income growth over the last five years was exceptional
- Earnings per share grew by 13.9% annually over the last five years, massively outpacing its peers
- Impressive 21.1% annual tangible book value per share growth over the last two years indicates it’s building equity value this cycle
At $33 per share, Merchants Bancorp trades at 0.8x forward P/B. Is now the time to initiate a position? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.
Stocks We Like Even More
When Trump unveiled his aggressive tariff plan in April 2025, markets tanked as investors feared a full-blown trade war. But those who panicked and sold missed the subsequent rebound that’s already erased most losses.
Don’t let fear keep you from great opportunities and take a look at Top 5 Growth Stocks for this month. 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-micro-cap company Tecnoglass (+1,754% 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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