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. That said, here are three volatile stocks best left to the gamblers and some better opportunities instead.

CarGurus (CARG)

Rolling One-Year Beta: 1.10

Bringing transparency to a sometimes opaque process, CarGurus (NASDAQ: CARG) is a digital marketplace where auto dealers can connect with potential customers and where car buyers can browse, purchase, and obtain financing.

Why Does CARG Fall Short?

1. Sales tumbled by 15.1% annually over the last three years, showing consumer trends are working against its favor
2. Modest 1.7% annual growth in paying dealers over the last two years indicates potential challenges in customer acquisition and retention
3. Projected sales growth of 3.4% for the next 12 months suggests sluggish demand

CarGurus’s stock price of $37.88 implies a valuation ratio of 12.1x forward EV/EBITDA. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than CARG.

Boeing (BA)

Rolling One-Year Beta: 1.52

One of the companies that forms a duopoly in the commercial aircraft market, Boeing (NYSE: BA) develops, manufactures, and services commercial airplanes, defense products, and space systems.

Why Is BA Risky?

1. Flat unit sales over the past two years suggest it might have to lower prices to accelerate growth
2. Cash burn makes us question whether it can achieve sustainable long-term growth
3. Short cash runway increases the probability of a capital raise that dilutes existing shareholders

At $216.11 per share, Boeing trades at 155.3x forward P/E. If you’re considering BA for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.

Surgery Partners (SGRY)

Rolling One-Year Beta: 1.14

With more than 180 locations across 33 states serving as alternatives to traditional hospital settings, Surgery Partners (NASDAQ: SGRY) operates a national network of outpatient surgical facilities including ambulatory surgery centers and short-stay surgical hospitals.

Why Is SGRY Not Exciting?

1. Disappointing unit sales over the past two years imply it may need to invest in improvements to get back on track
2. Poor free cash flow margin of 4.3% for the last five years limits its freedom to invest in growth initiatives, execute share buybacks, or pay dividends
3. 6× net-debt-to-EBITDA ratio shows it’s overleveraged and increases the probability of shareholder dilution if things turn unexpectedly

Surgery Partners is trading at $21 per share, or 22.2x forward P/E. To fully understand why you should be careful with SGRY, check out our full research report (it’s free for active Edge members).

Stocks We Like More

When Trump unveiled his aggressive tariff plan in April 2025, markets tanked as investors feared a full-blown trade war. But those who panicked and sold missed the subsequent rebound that’s already erased most losses.

Don’t let fear keep you from great opportunities and take a look at Top 5 Strong Momentum 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

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