Value stocks typically trade at discounts to the broader market, offering patient investors the opportunity to buy businesses when they’re out of favor. The key risk, however, is that these stocks are usually cheap for a reason — five cents for a piece of fruit may seem like a great deal until you find out it’s rotten.

Identifying genuine bargains from value traps is something many investors struggle with, which is why we started StockStory - to help you find the best companies. That said, here are three value stocks facing an uphill battle and some other investments you should look into instead.

Chegg (CHGG)

Forward EV/EBITDA Ratio: 3.7x

Started as a physical textbook rental service, Chegg (NYSE: CHGG) is now a digital platform addressing student pain points by providing study and academic assistance.

Why Is CHGG Risky?

1. Services Subscribers have declined by 23.3% annually over the last two years, suggesting it may need to revamp its features or user experience to stay competitive
2. EBITDA profits fell over the last few years as its sales dropped and it struggled to adjust its fixed costs
3. Earnings per share decreased by more than its revenue over the last three years, showing each sale was less profitable

At $1.10 per share, Chegg trades at 3.7x forward EV/EBITDA. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than CHGG.

Progyny (PGNY)

Forward P/E Ratio: 13.1x

Pioneering a data-driven approach to family building that has achieved an industry-leading patient satisfaction score of +80, Progyny (NASDAQ: PGNY) provides comprehensive fertility and family building benefits solutions to employers, helping employees access quality fertility treatments and support services.

Why Do We Think Twice About PGNY?

1. Disappointing unit sales over the past two years indicate demand is soft and that the company may need to revise its strategy
2. Smaller revenue base of $1.29 billion means it hasn’t achieved the economies of scale that some industry juggernauts enjoy
3. Adjusted operating margin was unchanged over the last two years, suggesting it failed to gain leverage on its fixed costs

Progyny is trading at $27.97 per share, or 13.1x forward P/E. To fully understand why you should be careful with PGNY, check out our full research report (it’s free).

Forestar Group (FOR)

Forward P/E Ratio: 10.9x

As a majority-owned subsidiary of homebuilding giant D.R. Horton, Forestar Group (NYSE: FOR) develops and sells finished residential lots to homebuilders, focusing primarily on land acquisition and development for single-family homes.

Why Should You Sell FOR?

1. Annual revenue growth of 8.8% over the last five years was below our standards for the consumer discretionary sector
2. Cash-burning tendencies make us wonder if it can sustainably generate shareholder value
3. Eroding returns on capital from an already low base indicate that management’s recent investments are destroying value

Forestar Group’s stock price of $31.94 implies a valuation ratio of 10.9x forward P/E. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why FOR doesn’t pass our bar.

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