Wall Street has issued downbeat forecasts for the stocks in this article. These predictions are rare - financial institutions typically hesitate to say bad things about a company because it can jeopardize their other revenue-generating business lines like M&A advisory.

At StockStory, we look beyond the headlines with our independent analysis to determine whether these bearish calls are justified. That said, here are three stocks where the skepticism is well-placed and some better opportunities to consider.

Intel (INTC)

Consensus Price Target: $37.27 (4.1% implied return)

Inventor of the x86 processor that powered decades of technological innovation in PCs, data centers, and numerous other markets, Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) is a leading manufacturer of computer processors and graphics chips.

Why Do We Pass on INTC?

1. Sales tumbled by 7.3% annually over the last five years, showing market trends are working against its favor during this cycle
2. Earnings per share decreased by more than its revenue over the last five years, showing each sale was less profitable
3. Free cash flow margin dropped by 34.9 percentage points over the last five years, implying the company became more capital intensive as competition picked up

At $35.79 per share, Intel trades at 83.4x forward P/E. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including INTC in your portfolio.

Principal Financial Group (PFG)

Consensus Price Target: $88.75 (4.6% implied return)

Founded in 1879 by a Civil War veteran seeking to provide financial security for families, Principal Financial Group (NASDAQGS:PFG) provides retirement solutions, asset management, and employee benefits to businesses, individuals, and institutional clients globally.

Why Does PFG Fall Short?

1. Products and services are facing end-market challenges during this cycle, as seen in its flat sales over the last five years
2. Net premiums earned remained stagnant over the last five years, indicating expansion challenges this cycle
3. Policy losses and capital returns have eroded its book value per share this cycle as its book value per share declined by 1.5% annually over the last five years

Principal Financial Group is trading at $84.82 per share, or 1.6x forward P/B. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than PFG.

AGNC Investment (AGNC)

Consensus Price Target: $10.16 (-0.5% implied return)

Born during the 2008 financial crisis when mortgage markets were in turmoil, AGNC Investment (NASDAQ: AGNC) is a real estate investment trust that primarily invests in mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by U.S. government agencies or enterprises.

Why Should You Sell AGNC?

1. Sales tumbled by 51.9% annually over the last five years, showing market trends are working against its favor during this cycle
2. Earnings per share have dipped by 9.5% annually over the past five years, which is concerning because stock prices follow EPS over the long term
3. Products and services are facing significant credit quality challenges during this cycle as tangible book value per share has declined by 12.2% annually over the last five years

AGNC Investment’s stock price of $10.22 implies a valuation ratio of 1.1x forward P/B. To fully understand why you should be careful with AGNC, check out our full research report (it’s free for active Edge members).

High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions

The market’s up big this year - but there’s a catch. Just 4 stocks account for half the S&P 500’s entire gain. That kind of concentration makes investors nervous, and for good reason. While everyone piles into the same crowded names, smart investors are hunting quality where no one’s looking - and paying a fraction of the price. Check out the high-quality names we’ve flagged in our 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 244% over the last five years (as of June 30, 2025).

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-small-cap company Exlservice (+354% 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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