2 Stocks Under $50 to Own for Decades and 1 We Brush Off

Stocks trading between $10 and $50 can be particularly interesting as they frequently represent businesses that have survived their early challenges. However, investors should remain vigilant as some may still have unproven business models, leaving them vulnerable to the ebbs and flows of the broader market.

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 two stocks under $50 with massive upside potential and one best left ignored.

One Stock Under $50 to Sell:

Northwest Bancshares (NWBI)

Share Price: $12.23

Founded in 1896 and operating across Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, and Indiana, Northwest Bancshares (NASDAQ:NWBI) is a bank holding company that operates Northwest Bank, providing personal and business banking, investment management, and trust services.

Why Are We Out on NWBI?

1. Annual net interest income growth of 5.7% over the last five years was below our standards for the banking sector
2. Incremental sales over the last two years were less profitable as its 2.5% annual earnings per share growth lagged its revenue gains
3. Muted 1% annual tangible book value per share growth over the last five years shows its capital generation lagged behind its banking peers

Northwest Bancshares’s stock price of $12.23 implies a valuation ratio of 1x forward P/B. If you’re considering NWBI for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.

Two Stocks Under $50 to Buy:

QuinStreet (QNST)

Share Price: $15.29

Founded during the dot-com era in 1999 and specializing in high-intent consumer traffic, QuinStreet (NASDAQ:QNST) operates digital performance marketplaces that connect clients in financial and home services with consumers actively searching for their products.

Why Do We Love QNST?

1. Annual revenue growth of 40.1% over the last two years was superb and indicates its market share increased during this cycle
2. Performance over the past two years shows its incremental sales were extremely profitable, as its annual earnings per share growth of 320% outpaced its revenue gains
3. Free cash flow margin increased by 4 percentage points over the last five years, giving the company more capital to invest or return to shareholders

At $15.29 per share, QuinStreet trades at 12.6x forward P/E. Is now the time to initiate a position? See for yourself in our comprehensive research report, it’s free.

Bowhead Specialty (BOW)

Share Price: $24.95

Named after the Arctic bowhead whale known for navigating challenging waters, Bowhead Specialty Holdings (NYSE:BOW) is a specialty insurance company that provides customized coverage for complex and high-risk commercial sectors.

Why Are We Bullish on BOW?

1. Strong 37.9% annualized net premiums earned expansion over the last two years shows it’s capturing market share this cycle
2. Notable projected revenue growth of 20.5% for the next 12 months hints at market share gains
3. Annual book value per share growth of 74.5% over the last two years was superb and indicates its capital strength increased during this cycle

Bowhead Specialty is trading at $24.95 per share, or 1.9x forward P/B. Is now a good time to buy? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.

High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions

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-small-cap company Exlservice (+354% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.