ETFOptimize | High-performance ETF-based Investment Strategies

Quantitative strategies, Wall Street-caliber research, and insightful market analysis since 1998.


ETFOptimize | HOME
Close Window

3 Small-Cap Stocks That Fall Short

PVH Cover Image

Investors looking for hidden gems should keep an eye on small-cap stocks because they’re frequently overlooked by Wall Street. Many opportunities exist in this part of the market, but it is also a high-risk, high-reward environment due to the lack of reliable analyst price targets.

Luckily for you, our mission at StockStory is to help you make money and avoid losses by sorting the winners from the losers. That said, here are three small-cap stocks to swipe left on and some alternatives you should look into instead.

PVH (PVH)

Market Cap: $3.11 billion

Founded in 1881 by a husband and wife duo, PVH (NYSE: PVH) is a global fashion conglomerate with iconic brands like Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger.

Why Are We Out on PVH?

  1. Constant currency revenue growth has disappointed over the past two years and shows demand was soft
  2. Low free cash flow margin of 6.6% for the last two years gives it little breathing room, constraining its ability to self-fund growth or return capital to shareholders
  3. Diminishing returns on capital from an already low starting point show that neither management’s prior nor current bets are going as planned

PVH’s stock price of $67.75 implies a valuation ratio of 5.7x forward P/E. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why PVH doesn’t pass our bar.

Lucid (LCID)

Market Cap: $3.61 billion

Founded by a former Tesla Vice President, Lucid Group (NASDAQ: LCID) designs, manufactures, and sells luxury electric vehicles with long-range capabilities.

Why Is LCID Not Exciting?

  1. Negative 148% gross margin means it loses money on every sale and must pivot or scale quickly to survive
  2. Cash burn makes us question whether it can achieve sustainable long-term growth
  3. Depletion of cash reserves could lead to a fundraising event that triggers shareholder dilution

Lucid is trading at $11.16 per share, or 1.5x forward price-to-sales. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including LCID in your portfolio.

Commercial Vehicle Group (CVGI)

Market Cap: $51.97 million

Formed from a partnership between two distinct companies, CVG (NASDAQ: CVGI) offers various components used in vehicles and systems used in warehouses.

Why Is CVGI Risky?

  1. Sales were flat over the last five years, indicating it’s failed to expand this cycle
  2. Ability to fund investments or reward shareholders with increased buybacks or dividends is restricted by its weak free cash flow margin of -0.1% for the last five years
  3. Waning returns on capital from an already weak starting point displays the inefficacy of management’s past and current investment decisions

At $1.50 per share, Commercial Vehicle Group trades at 7.9x forward EV-to-EBITDA. To fully understand why you should be careful with CVGI, check out our full research report (it’s free for active Edge members).

Stocks We Like More

Your portfolio can’t afford to be based on yesterday’s story. The risk in a handful of heavily crowded stocks is rising daily.

The names generating the next wave of massive growth are right here in 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 244% over the last five years (as of June 30, 2025).

Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,326% between June 2020 and June 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-small-cap company Exlservice (+354% 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.

Recent Quotes

View More
Symbol Price Change (%)
AMZN  247.38
+1.09 (0.44%)
AAPL  259.37
+0.33 (0.13%)
AMD  203.17
-1.51 (-0.74%)
BAC  55.85
-0.33 (-0.59%)
GOOG  329.14
+3.13 (0.96%)
META  653.06
+7.00 (1.08%)
MSFT  479.28
+1.17 (0.24%)
NVDA  184.86
-0.18 (-0.10%)
ORCL  198.52
+9.37 (4.95%)
TSLA  445.01
+9.21 (2.11%)
Stock Quote API & Stock News API supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service.


 

IntelligentValue Home
Close Window

DISCLAIMER

All content herein is issued solely for informational purposes and is not to be construed as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor should it be interpreted as a recommendation to buy, hold or sell (short or otherwise) any security.  All opinions, analyses, and information included herein are based on sources believed to be reliable, but no representation or warranty of any kind, expressed or implied, is made including but not limited to any representation or warranty concerning accuracy, completeness, correctness, timeliness or appropriateness. We undertake no obligation to update such opinions, analysis or information. You should independently verify all information contained on this website. Some information is based on analysis of past performance or hypothetical performance results, which have inherent limitations. We make no representation that any particular equity or strategy will or is likely to achieve profits or losses similar to those shown. Shareholders, employees, writers, contractors, and affiliates associated with ETFOptimize.com may have ownership positions in the securities that are mentioned. If you are not sure if ETFs, algorithmic investing, or a particular investment is right for you, you are urged to consult with a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA). Neither this website nor anyone associated with producing its content are Registered Investment Advisors, and no attempt is made herein to substitute for personalized, professional investment advice. Neither ETFOptimize.com, Global Alpha Investments, Inc., nor its employees, service providers, associates, or affiliates are responsible for any investment losses you may incur as a result of using the information provided herein. Remember that past investment returns may not be indicative of future returns.

Copyright © 1998-2017 ETFOptimize.com, a publication of Optimized Investments, Inc. All rights reserved.