Even if a company is profitable, it doesn’t always mean it’s a great investment. Some struggle to maintain growth, face looming threats, or fail to reinvest wisely, limiting their future potential.

Profits are valuable, but they’re not everything. At StockStory, we help you identify the companies that have real staying power. Keeping that in mind, here are three profitable companies to steer clear of and a few better alternatives.

Leggett & Platt (LEG)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 8.8%

Founded in 1883, Leggett & Platt (NYSE: LEG) is a diversified manufacturer of products and components for various industries.

Why Are We Out on LEG?

1. Sales stagnated over the last five years and signal the need for new growth strategies
2. Sales over the last five years were less profitable as its earnings per share fell by 12.7% annually while its revenue was flat
3. Eroding returns on capital from an already low base indicate that management’s recent investments are destroying value

At $8.91 per share, Leggett & Platt trades at 8.3x forward P/E. To fully understand why you should be careful with LEG, check out our full research report (it’s free for active Edge members).

RE/MAX (RMAX)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 14.3%

Short for Real Estate Maximums, RE/MAX (NYSE: RMAX) operates a real estate franchise network spanning over 100 countries and territories.

Why Do We Think RMAX Will Underperform?

1. Demand for its offerings was relatively low as its number of agents has underwhelmed
2. Earnings per share fell by 7.1% 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

RE/MAX is trading at $7.91 per share, or 6x forward P/E. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than RMAX.

GE HealthCare (GEHC)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 13.5%

Spun off from industrial giant General Electric in 2023 after over a century as its healthcare division, GE HealthCare (NASDAQ: GEHC) provides medical imaging equipment, patient monitoring systems, diagnostic pharmaceuticals, and AI-enabled healthcare solutions to hospitals and clinics worldwide.

Why Does GEHC Give Us Pause?

1. Organic revenue growth fell short of our benchmarks over the past two years and implies it may need to improve its products, pricing, or go-to-market strategy
2. Performance over the past four years shows its incremental sales were much less profitable, as its earnings per share fell by 3.8% annually
3. Capital intensity has ramped up over the last five years as its free cash flow margin decreased by 7.2 percentage points

GE HealthCare’s stock price of $74.83 implies a valuation ratio of 15.4x forward P/E. If you’re considering GEHC for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.

Stocks We Like More

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