Stocks in the $10-50 range offer a sweet spot between affordability and stability as they’re typically more established than penny stocks. But their headline prices don’t guarantee quality, and investors should exercise caution as some have shaky business models.
This is precisely where StockStory comes in - we do the heavy lifting to identify companies with solid fundamentals so you can invest with confidence. That said, here are three stocks under $50 to swipe left on and some alternatives you should look into instead.
PENN Entertainment (PENN)
Share Price: $14.77
Established in 1982, PENN Entertainment (NASDAQ: PENN) is a diversified American operator of casinos, sports betting, and entertainment venues.
Why Are We Out on PENN?
- Muted 11.9% annual revenue growth over the last five years shows its demand lagged behind its consumer discretionary peers
- Diminishing returns on capital from an already low starting point show that neither management’s prior nor current bets are going as planned
- 6× net-debt-to-EBITDA ratio shows it’s overleveraged and increases the probability of shareholder dilution if things turn unexpectedly
PENN Entertainment’s stock price of $14.77 implies a valuation ratio of 14.8x forward P/E. If you’re considering PENN for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.
Matrix Service (MTRX)
Share Price: $11.69
Founded in Oklahoma, Matrix Service (NASDAQ: MTRX) provides engineering, fabrication, construction, and maintenance services primarily to the energy and industrial markets.
Why Is MTRX Not Exciting?
- Annual sales declines of 2.9% for the past five years show its products and services struggled to connect with the market during this cycle
- Gross margin of 3.8% reflects its high production costs
- Earnings per share decreased by more than its revenue over the last five years, partly because it diluted shareholders
At $11.69 per share, Matrix Service trades at 22.1x forward P/E. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than MTRX.
Silgan Holdings (SLGN)
Share Price: $39.64
Established in 1987, Silgan Holdings (NYSE: SLGN) is a supplier of rigid packaging for consumer goods products, specializing in metal containers, closures, and plastic packaging.
Why Do We Pass on SLGN?
- Core business is underperforming as its organic revenue has disappointed over the past two years, suggesting it might need acquisitions to stimulate growth
- High input costs result in an inferior gross margin of 16.8% that must be offset through higher volumes
- Ability to fund investments or reward shareholders with increased buybacks or dividends is restricted by its weak free cash flow margin of 1.5% for the last five years
Silgan Holdings is trading at $39.64 per share, or 10.6x forward P/E. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why SLGN doesn’t pass our bar.
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 9 Market-Beating Stocks. 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-micro-cap company Kadant (+351% 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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