3 Cash-Burning Stocks Walking a Fine Line

While some companies burn cash to fuel expansion, others struggle to turn spending into sustainable growth. A high cash burn rate without a strong balance sheet can leave investors exposed to significant downside.

Just because a company is spending heavily doesn’t mean it’s on the right track, and StockStory is here to separate the winners from the losers. That said, here are three cash-burning companies that don’t make the cut and some better opportunities instead.

Health Catalyst (HCAT)

Trailing 12-Month Free Cash Flow Margin: -10.4%

Built on its "Health Catalyst Flywheel" methodology that emphasizes measurable outcomes, Health Catalyst (NASDAQ:HCAT) provides data and analytics technology and services that help healthcare organizations manage their data and drive measurable clinical, financial, and operational improvements.

Why Do We Avoid HCAT?

1. 4.4% annual revenue growth over the last two years was slower than its software peers
2. Extended payback periods on sales investments suggest the company’s platform isn’t resonating enough to drive efficient sales conversions
3. Cash-burning history makes us doubt the long-term viability of its business model

Health Catalyst’s stock price of $1.99 implies a valuation ratio of 0.5x forward price-to-sales. To fully understand why you should be careful with HCAT, check out our full research report (it’s free).

Kura Sushi (KRUS)

Trailing 12-Month Free Cash Flow Margin: -9.4%

Known for its conveyor belt that transports dishes to diners, Kura Sushi (NASDAQ:KRUS) is a chain of sushi restaurants serving traditional Japanese fare with a touch of modernity and technology.

Why Does KRUS Fall Short?

1. Poor same-store sales performance over the past two years indicates it’s having trouble bringing new diners into its restaurants
2. Cash burn makes us question whether it can achieve sustainable long-term growth
3. Short cash runway increases the probability of a capital raise that dilutes existing shareholders

Kura Sushi is trading at $73.10 per share, or 43.7x forward EV-to-EBITDA. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including KRUS in your portfolio.

Bark (BARK)

Trailing 12-Month Free Cash Flow Margin: -8.6%

Making a name for itself with the BarkBox, Bark (NYSE:BARK) specializes in subscription-based, personalized pet products.

Why Are We Out on BARK?

1. Lackluster 5.2% annual revenue growth over the last five years indicates the company is losing ground to competitors
2. Negative free cash flow raises questions about the return timeline for its investments
3. Unfavorable liquidity position could lead to additional equity financing that dilutes shareholders

At $0.79 per share, Bark trades at 40.2x forward EV-to-EBITDA. If you’re considering BARK for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.

Stocks We Like 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 5 Growth Stocks for this month. 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.