1 Safe-and-Steady Stock for Long-Term Investors and 2 We Ignore

Stability is great, but low-volatility stocks may struggle to deliver market-beating returns over time as they sometimes underperform during bull markets.

Choosing the wrong investments can cause you to fall behind, which is why we started StockStory - to separate the winners from the losers. That said, here is one low-volatility stock that could succeed under all market conditions and two stuck in limbo.

Two Stocks to Sell:

Strategy (MSTR)

Rolling One-Year Beta: 1.01

Once a traditional business intelligence software provider, Strategy (NASDAQ:MSTR) develops AI-powered enterprise analytics software while also functioning as a major corporate holder of Bitcoin cryptocurrency.

Why Do We Think MSTR Will Underperform?

1. MicroStrategy’s core analytics software has been eclipsed by its all-in Bitcoin strategy, leaving product innovation and enterprise deals starved for attention
2. The company’s debt-financed Bitcoin buying ties shareholder fortunes to crypto swings and interest rates, amplifying downside risk and uncertainty
3. On the bright side, its vast Bitcoin treasury gives Executive Chairman Michael Saylor a unique springboard to capture crypto upside and court investors seeking leveraged exposure to digital assets

Strategy’s stock price of $170.32 implies a valuation ratio of 113.4x forward price-to-sales. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than MSTR.

Avantor (AVTR)

Rolling One-Year Beta: 0.82

With roots dating back to 1904 and embedded in virtually every stage of scientific research and production, Avantor (NYSE:AVTR) provides mission-critical products, materials, and services to customers in biopharma, healthcare, education, and advanced technology industries.

Why Are We Hesitant About AVTR?

1. Absence of organic revenue growth over the past two years suggests it may have to lean into acquisitions to drive its expansion
2. Projected sales for the next 12 months are flat and suggest demand will be subdued
3. Eroding returns on capital from an already low base indicate that management’s recent investments are destroying value

Avantor is trading at $11.75 per share, or 13.3x forward P/E. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why AVTR doesn’t pass our bar.

One Stock to Buy:

RBC Bearings (RBC)

Rolling One-Year Beta: 0.94

With a Guinness World Record for engineering the largest spherical plain bearing, RBC Bearings (NYSE:RBC) is a manufacturer of bearings and related components for the aerospace & defense, industrial, and transportation industries.

Why Do We Love RBC?

1. Impressive 21% annual revenue growth over the last five years indicates it’s winning market share this cycle
2. Earnings per share grew by 19.7% annually over the last five years, massively outpacing its peers
3. Robust free cash flow margin of 15.6% gives it many options for capital deployment

At $444.97 per share, RBC Bearings trades at 35.3x forward P/E. Is now the time to initiate a position? Find out in our full research report, it’s free for active Edge members.

Stocks We Like Even More

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 6 Stocks for this week. 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-small-cap company Comfort Systems (+782% 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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