A stock with low volatility can be reassuring, but it doesn’t always mean strong long-term performance. Investors who prioritize stability may miss out on higher-reward opportunities elsewhere.

Finding the right balance between safety and returns isn’t easy, which is why StockStory is here to help. That said, here are three low-volatility stocks to steer clear of and a few better alternatives.

Packaging Corporation of America (PKG)

Rolling One-Year Beta: 0.66

Founded in 1959, Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE: PKG) produces containerboard and corrugated packaging products as well as displays and package protection.

Why Are We Out on PKG?

1. Annual revenue growth of 1.4% over the last two years was below our standards for the industrials sector
2. Gross margin of 22.7% is below its competitors, leaving less money to invest in areas like marketing and R&D
3. Earnings per share have contracted by 4.2% annually over the last two years, a headwind for returns as stock prices often echo long-term EPS performance

At $188.70 per share, Packaging Corporation of America trades at 11.5x forward EV-to-EBITDA. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including PKG in your portfolio.

STAAR Surgical (STAA)

Rolling One-Year Beta: 0.71

With over 2.5 million implants performed worldwide, STAAR Surgical (NASDAQ: STAA) designs and manufactures implantable lenses that correct vision problems without removing the eye's natural lens.

Why Should You Sell STAA?

1. Underwhelming constant currency revenue performance over the past two years suggests its product offering at current prices doesn’t resonate with customers
2. Free cash flow margin shrank by 26.6 percentage points over the last five years, suggesting the company is consuming more capital to stay competitive
3. Waning returns on capital imply its previous profit engines are losing steam

STAAR Surgical’s stock price of $16.20 implies a valuation ratio of 2.9x forward price-to-sales. If you’re considering STAA for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.

UL Solutions (ULS)

Rolling One-Year Beta: 0.59

Founded in 1894 as a response to the growing dangers of electricity in American homes and businesses, UL Solutions (NYSE: ULS) provides testing, inspection, and certification services that help companies ensure their products meet safety, security, and sustainability standards.

Why Are We Hesitant About ULS?

1. Annual revenue growth of 4.3% over the last three years was below our standards for the business services sector

UL Solutions is trading at $70.40 per share, or 40.9x forward P/E. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than ULS.

High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions

The market surged in 2024 and reached record highs after Donald Trump’s presidential victory in November, but questions about new economic policies are adding much uncertainty for 2025.

While the crowd speculates what might happen next, we’re homing in on the companies that can succeed regardless of the political or macroeconomic environment. Put yourself in the driver’s seat and build a durable portfolio by checking 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 183% over the last five years (as of March 31st 2025).

Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-micro-cap company Tecnoglass (+1,754% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today for free. Find your next big winner with StockStory today. Find your next big winner with StockStory today