The stocks in this article are all trading near their 52-week highs. This strength often reflects positive developments such as new product launches, favorable industry trends, or improved financial performance.
But not every company with momentum is a long-term winner, and plenty of investors have lost money betting on short-term fads. All that said, here are two stocks we think live up to the hype and one that may correct.
One Stock to Sell:
FirstCash (FCFS)
One-Month Return: -1.4%
Offering a financial lifeline to the unbanked and credit-constrained since 1988, FirstCash (NASDAQ: FCFS) operates pawn stores across the U.S. and Latin America while also providing retail point-of-sale payment solutions for credit-constrained consumers.
Why Do We Think Twice About FCFS?
- 7.4% annual revenue growth over the last two years was slower than its financials peers
- Loan losses and capital returns have eroded its tangible book value per share this cycle as its tangible book value per share declined by 14.1% annually over the last five years
FirstCash’s stock price of $145.50 implies a valuation ratio of 16.7x forward P/E. If you’re considering FCFS for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.
Two Stocks to Watch:
Ulta (ULTA)
One-Month Return: -1.2%
Offering high-end prestige brands as well as lower-priced, mass-market ones, Ulta Beauty (NASDAQ: ULTA) is an American retailer that sells makeup, skincare, haircare, and fragrance products.
Why Do We Like ULTA?
- Offensive push to build new stores and attack its untapped market opportunities is backed by its same-store sales growth
- Robust free cash flow margin of 8.5% gives it many options for capital deployment
- Industry-leading 32.1% return on capital demonstrates management’s skill in finding high-return investments
At $518 per share, Ulta trades at 20.9x forward P/E. Is now the time to initiate a position? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.
Monster (MNST)
One-Month Return: +2.2%
Founded in 2002 as a natural soda and juice company, Monster Beverage (NASDAQ: MNST) is a pioneer of the energy drink category, and its Monster Energy brand targets a young, active demographic.
Why Should You Buy MNST?
- Healthy operating margin of 27.5% shows it’s a well-run company with efficient processes
- MNST is a free cash flow machine with the flexibility to invest in growth initiatives or return capital to shareholders, and its recently improved profitability means it has even more resources to invest or distribute
- ROIC punches in at 37.6%, illustrating management’s expertise in identifying profitable investments
Monster is trading at $63.69 per share, or 32.8x forward P/E. Is now a good time to buy? See for yourself in our full research report, it’s free.
Stocks We Like Even 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 Growth Stocks for this month. 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 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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