Large-cap stocks usually command their industries because they have the scale to drive market trends. The flip side though is that their sheer size can limit growth as expanding further becomes an increasingly challenging task.

This is precisely where StockStory comes in - our job is to find you high-quality companies that can win regardless of the conditions. That said, here are three large-cap stocks that may face near-term headwinds and some other investments you should consider instead.

Salesforce (CRM)

Market Cap: $180.8 billion

With its cloud-based platform named after its stock ticker symbol CRM (Customer Relationship Management), Salesforce (NYSE: CRM) provides customer relationship management software that helps businesses connect with their customers across sales, service, marketing, and commerce.

Why Does CRM Give Us Pause?

1. Underwhelming ARR growth of 10.3% over the last year suggests the company faced challenges in acquiring and retaining long-term customers
2. Projected sales growth of 11.1% for the next 12 months suggests sluggish demand
3. Operating margin improvement of 1 percentage points over the last year demonstrates its ability to scale efficiently

Salesforce is trading at $192.25 per share, or 4x forward price-to-sales. To fully understand why you should be careful with CRM, check out our full research report (it’s free).

Strategy (MSTR)

Market Cap: $45.98 billion

Once a traditional business intelligence software provider, Strategy (NASDAQ: MSTR) develops AI-powered enterprise analytics software while also functioning as a major corporate holder of Bitcoin cryptocurrency.

Why Do We Avoid MSTR?

1. MicroStrategy’s core analytics software has been eclipsed by its all-in Bitcoin strategy, leaving product innovation and enterprise deals starved for attention
2. The company’s debt-financed Bitcoin buying ties shareholder fortunes to crypto swings and interest rates, amplifying downside risk and uncertainty
3. On the bright side, its vast Bitcoin treasury gives Executive Chairman Michael Saylor a unique springboard to capture crypto upside and court investors seeking leveraged exposure to digital assets

At $137.20 per share, Strategy trades at 77x forward price-to-sales. If you’re considering MSTR for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.

Aflac (AFL)

Market Cap: $58.53 billion

Known for its iconic duck mascot that has quacked "Aflac!" in commercials since 2000, Aflac (NYSE: AFL) provides supplemental health and life insurance policies that pay cash benefits directly to policyholders for expenses not covered by their primary insurance.

Why Should You Sell AFL?

1. 6.2% annual declines in net premiums earned for the past five years indicates policy sales struggled this cycle
2. Estimated sales decline of 1.1% for the next 12 months implies an even more challenging demand environment
3. Projected book value per share decline of 2.7% for the next 12 months points to tough credit quality challenges ahead

Aflac’s stock price of $113.15 implies a valuation ratio of 1.9x forward P/B. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than AFL.

High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions

WHILE YOU’RE HERE: Top 9 Market-Beating Stocks. The best stocks don't just beat the market once. They do it again. And again. Robust revenue growth, rising free cash flow, returns on capital that leave their competition in the dust. The market has already rewarded these businesses.

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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.