Stocks trading between $10 and $50 can be particularly interesting as they frequently represent businesses that have survived their early challenges. However, investors should remain vigilant as some may still have unproven business models, leaving them vulnerable to the ebbs and flows of the broader market.

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.

Match Group (MTCH)

Share Price: $30.21

Originally started as a dial-up service before widespread internet adoption, Match (NASDAQ: MTCH) was an early innovator in online dating and today has a portfolio of apps including Tinder, Hinge, Archer, and OkCupid.

Why Does MTCH Worry Us?

1. Payers have declined by 4.7% annually over the last two years, suggesting it may need to revamp its features or user experience to stay competitive
2. Key performance metrics have been flashing red recently as its average revenue per user dropped by 21% annually while engagement was weak
3. Sales are projected to remain flat over the next 12 months as demand decelerates from its three-year trend

Match Group is trading at $30.21 per share, or 8.2x forward EV/EBITDA. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than MTCH.

Gates Industrial Corporation (GTES)

Share Price: $27.35

Helping create one of the most memorable moments for the iconic “Jurassic Park” film, Gates (NYSE: GTES) offers power transmission and fluid transfer equipment for various industries.

Why Do We Think Twice About GTES?

1. Organic revenue growth fell short of our benchmarks over the past two years and implies it may need to improve its products, pricing, or go-to-market strategy
2. Demand will likely be soft over the next 12 months as Wall Street’s estimates imply tepid growth of 3.9%
3. Low returns on capital reflect management’s struggle to allocate funds effectively

Gates Industrial Corporation’s stock price of $27.35 implies a valuation ratio of 17.4x forward P/E. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why GTES doesn’t pass our bar.

Moderna (MRNA)

Share Price: $43.81

Rising to global prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic with one of the first effective vaccines, Moderna (NASDAQ: MRNA) develops messenger RNA (mRNA) medicines that direct the body's cells to produce proteins with therapeutic or preventive benefits for various diseases.

Why Should You Dump MRNA?

1. Sales tumbled by 46.7% annually over the last two years, showing market trends are working against its favor during this cycle
2. Performance over the past five years shows its incremental sales were much less profitable, as its earnings per share fell by 30.2% annually
3. Free cash flow margin dropped by 178.4 percentage points over the last five years, implying the company became more capital intensive as competition picked up

At $43.81 per share, Moderna trades at 8.4x forward price-to-sales. If you’re considering MRNA for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.

Stocks We Like More

If your portfolio success hinges on just 4 stocks, your wealth is built on fragile ground. You have a small window to secure high-quality assets before the market widens and these prices disappear.

Don’t wait for the next volatility shock. Check out our Top 6 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.