While profitability is essential, it doesn’t guarantee long-term success. Some companies that rest on their margins will lose ground as competition intensifies - as Jeff Bezos said, "Your margin is my opportunity".

A business making money today isn’t necessarily a winner, which is why we analyze companies across multiple dimensions at StockStory. That said, here are three profitable companies to steer clear of and a few better alternatives.

Insight Enterprises (NSIT)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 3.7%

With over 35 years of IT expertise and partnerships with more than 8,000 technology providers, Insight Enterprises (NASDAQ: NSIT) provides end-to-end digital transformation solutions that help businesses modernize their IT infrastructure and maximize the value of technology.

Why Do We Pass on NSIT?

1. Flat sales over the last five years suggest it must find different ways to grow during this cycle
2. Demand will likely be soft over the next 12 months as Wall Street’s estimates imply tepid growth of 1.1%
3. Earnings growth over the last two years fell short of the peer group average as its EPS only increased by 1.9% annually

Insight Enterprises is trading at $87.52 per share, or 8.5x forward P/E. To fully understand why you should be careful with NSIT, check out our full research report (it’s free).

Franklin Resources (BEN)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 8.4%

Operating under the widely recognized Franklin Templeton brand since 1947, Franklin Resources (NYSE: BEN) is a global investment management organization that offers financial services and solutions to individuals, institutions, and wealth advisors worldwide.

Why Should You Dump BEN?

1. Incremental sales over the last five years were much less profitable as its earnings per share fell by 3.3% annually while its revenue grew
2. ROE of 8.5% reflects management’s challenges in identifying attractive investment opportunities

Franklin Resources’s stock price of $25.62 implies a valuation ratio of 9.9x forward P/E. If you’re considering BEN for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.

Essent Group (ESNT)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 65.9%

Serving as a crucial bridge between homebuyers and the American dream of homeownership, Essent Group (NYSE: ESNT) provides private mortgage insurance and title services that enable lenders to offer home loans with down payments of less than 20%.

Why Are We Hesitant About ESNT?

1. Growth in insurance policies was lackluster over the last five years as its 3.1% annual growth underperformed the typical financial institution
2. Expenses have increased as a percentage of revenue over the last two years as its pre-tax profit margin fell by 10.2 percentage points
3. Incremental sales over the last two years were less profitable as its 5% annual earnings per share growth lagged its revenue gains

At $64.66 per share, Essent Group trades at 1.1x forward P/B. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why ESNT doesn’t pass our bar.

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