1 Stock Under $50 to Own for Decades and 2 We Avoid

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.

These dynamics can cause headaches for even the most seasoned professionals, which is why we started StockStory - to help you separate the good companies from the bad. That said, here is one stock under $50 with massive upside potential and two that could be down big.

Two Stocks Under $50 to Sell:

Stratasys (SSYS)

Share Price: $10.20

Born from the Founder’s idea of making a toy frog with a glue gun, Stratasys (NASDAQ:SSYS) offers 3D printers and related materials, software, and services to many industries.

Why Are We Out on SSYS?

1. Sales were flat over the last five years, indicating it’s failed to expand this cycle
2. Suboptimal cost structure is highlighted by its history of operating margin losses
3. Cash-burning tendencies make us wonder if it can sustainably generate shareholder value

Stratasys’s stock price of $10.20 implies a valuation ratio of 27.5x forward P/E. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than SSYS.

Telephone and Data Systems (TDS)

Share Price: $39.47

Operating primarily through its majority-owned subsidiary UScellular and wholly-owned TDS Telecom, Telephone and Data Systems (NYSE:TDS) provides wireless, broadband, video, and voice communications services to 4.6 million wireless and 1.2 million broadband customers across the United States.

Why Do We Avoid TDS?

1. Products and services are facing significant end-market challenges during this cycle as sales have declined by 1.5% annually over the last five years
2. Falling earnings per share over the last five years has some investors worried as stock prices ultimately follow EPS over the long term

At $39.47 per share, Telephone and Data Systems trades at 3.9x forward EV-to-EBITDA. To fully understand why you should be careful with TDS, check out our full research report (it’s free).

One Stock Under $50 to Buy:

American Superconductor (AMSC)

Share Price: $48.81

Founded in 1987, American Superconductor (NASDAQ:AMSC) has shifted from superconductor research to developing power systems, adapting to changing energy grid needs and naval technology requirements.

Why Are We Backing AMSC?

1. Impressive 49.8% annual revenue growth over the last two years indicates it’s winning market share this cycle
2. Free cash flow margin is now positive, indicating the company has achieved financial self-sustainability
3. Historical investments are beginning to pay off as its returns on capital are growing

American Superconductor is trading at $48.81 per share, or 85.1x forward P/E. Is now the right time to buy? Find out 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-small-cap company Exlservice (+354% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today for free.

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