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. That said, here are three profitable companies to avoid and some better opportunities instead.

Freshpet (FRPT)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 3.6%

Standing out from typical processed pet foods, Freshpet (NASDAQ: FRPT) is a pet food company whose product portfolio includes natural meals and treats for dogs and cats.

Why Is FRPT Not Exciting?

1. Revenue base of $1.04 billion puts it at a disadvantage compared to larger competitors exhibiting economies of scale
2. Cash-burning history makes us doubt the long-term viability of its business model
3. Negative returns on capital show management lost money while trying to expand the business

Freshpet’s stock price of $53.56 implies a valuation ratio of 34.5x forward P/E. If you’re considering FRPT for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.

Tesla (TSLA)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 6.1%

Originally founded by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning in 2003, Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) is an electric vehicle company accelerating the world’s transition to sustainable energy.

Why Do We Avoid TSLA?

1. Tesla's scale advantage in EV production leads to gross margins that exceed incumbents such as General Motors and Ford. However, a softer macroeconomic backdrop and tariff pressures have weighed on automobile sales, which are highly cyclical.
2. The company's execution ability is a question mark given its long history of delays, such as the Cybertruck and Robotaxi launches. Its sizeable investments in projects with uncertain return timelines, like Optimus, also raise skepticism from investors.
3. On the bright side, Tesla's Megapack product solves a critical problem for utilities needing renewable energy storage solutions. This innovation has made the energy segment the most profitable and fastest-growing business line for the company.

At $339.27 per share, Tesla trades at 160.9x forward price-to-earnings. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including TSLA in your portfolio.

Vimeo (VMEO)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 1.5%

Originally launched in 2004 as a platform for filmmakers seeking a high-quality alternative to YouTube, Vimeo (NASDAQ: VMEO) provides cloud-based video creation, editing, hosting, and distribution software that helps businesses and creators make, manage, and share professional-quality videos.

Why Does VMEO Give Us Pause?

1. Sales were flat over the last two years, indicating it’s failed to expand this cycle
2. Smaller revenue base of $415.4 million means it hasn’t achieved the economies of scale that some industry juggernauts enjoy
3. Push for growth has led to negative returns on capital, signaling value destruction

Vimeo is trading at $4.30 per share, or 22.9x forward EV-to-EBITDA. To fully understand why you should be careful with VMEO, check out our full research report (it’s free).

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