1 Stock Under $50 for Long-Term Investors and 2 Facing Challenges

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 is one stock under $50 with massive upside potential and two that may have trouble.

Two Stocks Under $50 to Sell:

Nature's Sunshine (NATR)

Share Price: $14.73

Started on a kitchen table in Utah, Nature’s Sunshine (NASDAQ:NATR) manufactures and sells nutritional and personal care products.

Why Do We Think Twice About NATR?

1. Sales were flat over the last three years, indicating it’s failed to expand its business
2. Modest revenue base of $460.8 million gives it less fixed cost leverage and fewer distribution channels than larger companies
3. Flat earnings per share over the last three years lagged its peers

At $14.73 per share, Nature's Sunshine trades at 19.6x forward P/E. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including NATR in your portfolio.

MGIC Investment (MTG)

Share Price: $27.66

Founded in 1957 when the modern mortgage insurance industry was in its infancy, MGIC Investment (NYSE:MTG) provides private mortgage insurance that protects lenders when homebuyers default on their loans, enabling borrowers to purchase homes with smaller down payments.

Why Are We Hesitant About MTG?

1. 1.3% annual declines in net premiums earned for the past five years indicates policy sales struggled this cycle
2. Costs have risen faster than its revenue over the last two years, causing its combined ratio to worsen by 10.7 percentage points
3. Earnings per share lagged its peers over the last two years as they only grew by 6.1% annually

MGIC Investment is trading at $27.66 per share, or 1.2x forward P/B. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why MTG doesn’t pass our bar.

One Stock Under $50 to Watch:

First Bancorp (FBNC)

Share Price: $51.19

Founded during the Great Depression in 1934 and originally known as Montgomery Bancorp, First Bancorp (NASDAQ:FBNC) is a community-oriented commercial bank providing a wide range of financial services to businesses and individuals in North and South Carolina.

Why Are We Fans of FBNC?

1. Impressive 12% annual net interest income growth over the last five years indicates it’s winning market share this cycle
2. Balance sheet strength has increased this cycle as its 15.5% annual tangible book value per share growth over the last two years was exceptional
3. Estimated tangible book value per share growth of 14.4% for the next 12 months implies its capital momentum over the last two years will continue

First Bancorp’s stock price of $51.19 implies a valuation ratio of 1.3x forward P/B. Is now a good time to buy? Find out in our full research report, it’s free for active Edge members.

Stocks We Like Even More

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