Volatility cuts both ways - while it creates opportunities, it also increases risk, making sharp declines just as likely as big gains. This unpredictability can shake out even the most experienced investors.

At StockStory, our job is to help you avoid costly mistakes and stay on the right side of the trade. Keeping that in mind, here are three volatile stocks best left to the gamblers and some better opportunities instead.

Getty Images (GETY)

Rolling One-Year Beta: 1.74

With a vast library of over 562 million visual assets documenting everything from breaking news to iconic historical moments, Getty Images (NYSE: GETY) is a global visual content marketplace that licenses photos, videos, illustrations, and music to businesses, media outlets, and creative professionals.

Why Are We Cautious About GETY?

1. Annual revenue growth of 1.3% over the last two years was below our standards for the business services sector
2. Capital intensity has ramped up over the last five years as its free cash flow margin decreased by 11.2 percentage points
3. Shrinking returns on capital suggest that increasing competition is eating into the company’s profitability

At $1.30 per share, Getty Images trades at 18.9x forward P/E. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why GETY doesn’t pass our bar.

JLL (JLL)

Rolling One-Year Beta: 1.21

Founded in 1999 through the merger of Jones Lang Wootton and LaSalle Partners, JLL (NYSE: JLL) is a company specializing in real estate advisory and investment management services.

Why Should You Dump JLL?

1. Sizable revenue base leads to growth challenges as its 8.1% annual revenue increases over the last five years fell short of other consumer discretionary companies
2. Lacking free cash flow generation means it has few chances to reinvest for growth, repurchase shares, or distribute capital
3. Waning returns on capital from an already weak starting point displays the inefficacy of management’s past and current investment decisions

JLL’s stock price of $353.92 implies a valuation ratio of 18.2x forward P/E. To fully understand why you should be careful with JLL, check out our full research report (it’s free).

Repligen (RGEN)

Rolling One-Year Beta: 1.26

With over 13 strategic acquisitions since 2012 to build its comprehensive bioprocessing portfolio, Repligen (NASDAQ: RGEN) develops and manufactures specialized technologies that improve the efficiency and flexibility of biological drug manufacturing processes.

Why Do We Pass on RGEN?

1. Core business is underperforming as its organic revenue has disappointed over the past two years, suggesting it might need acquisitions to stimulate growth
2. Day-to-day expenses have swelled relative to revenue over the last five years as its adjusted operating margin fell by 17.8 percentage points
3. Diminishing returns on capital from an already low starting point show that neither management’s prior nor current bets are going as planned

Repligen is trading at $151.09 per share, or 77.6x forward P/E. If you’re considering RGEN 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-micro-cap company Kadant (+351% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.