The Russell 2000 (^RUT) is packed with potential breakout stocks, thanks to its focus on smaller companies with high growth potential. However, smaller size also means these businesses often lack the resilience and financial flexibility of large-cap firms, making careful selection crucial.

The high-risk, high-reward nature of the Russell 2000 makes stock selection critical, and we’re here to guide you toward the right ones. That said, here are three Russell 2000 stocks to steer clear of and some alternatives to watch instead.

Global Business Travel (GBTG)

Market Cap: $3.08 billion

Holding close ties to American Express, Global Business Travel (NYSE: GBTG) is a comprehensive travel and expense management services provider to corporations worldwide.

Why Does GBTG Fall Short?

1. Estimated sales growth of 1.9% for the next 12 months implies demand will slow from its three-year trend
2. Gross margin of 60.8% reflects its relatively high servicing costs
3. Ability to fund investments or reward shareholders with increased buybacks or dividends is restricted by its weak free cash flow margin of 6.9% for the last year

Global Business Travel’s stock price of $6.43 implies a valuation ratio of 1.2x forward price-to-sales. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why GBTG doesn’t pass our bar.

Manitowoc (MTW)

Market Cap: $448 million

Contracted by the United States Navy during WWII, Manitowoc (NYSE: MTW) provides cranes and lifting equipment.

Why Should You Dump MTW?

1. Backlog has dropped by 12.4% on average over the past two years, suggesting it’s losing orders as competition picks up
2. Earnings per share fell by 17.1% annually over the last five years while its revenue grew, showing its incremental sales were much less profitable
3. Low returns on capital reflect management’s struggle to allocate funds effectively

At $12.64 per share, Manitowoc trades at 16.9x forward P/E. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than MTW.

Lemonade (LMND)

Market Cap: $2.98 billion

Built on the principle of giving back unused premiums to charitable causes selected by policyholders, Lemonade (NYSE: LMND) is a technology-driven insurance company that offers homeowners, renters, pet, car, and life insurance through an AI-powered digital platform.

Why Are We Hesitant About LMND?

1. Earnings growth underperformed the sector average over the last four years as its EPS grew by just 6.3% annually
2. Annual book value per share declines of 184% for the past five years show its capital management struggled during this cycle
3. Negative return on equity shows management lost money while trying to expand the business

Lemonade is trading at $40.76 per share, or 6.7x forward P/B. If you’re considering LMND for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.

High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions

Trump’s April 2024 tariff bombshell triggered a massive market selloff, but stocks have since staged an impressive recovery, leaving those who panic sold on the sidelines.

Take advantage of the rebound 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

StockStory is growing and hiring equity analyst and marketing roles. Are you a 0 to 1 builder passionate about the markets and AI? See the open roles here.