1 S&P 500 Stock with Promising Prospects and 2 We Avoid

While the S&P 500 (^GSPC) includes industry leaders, not every stock in the index is a winner. Some companies are past their prime, weighed down by poor execution, weak financials, or structural headwinds.

Picking the right S&P 500 stocks requires more than just buying big names, and that’s where StockStory comes in. That said, here is one S&P 500 stock that is leading the market forward and two that could be in trouble.

Two Stocks to Sell:

3M (MMM)

Market Cap: $84.74 billion

Producers of the first asthma inhaler, 3M Company (NYSE:MMM) is a global conglomerate known for products in industries like healthcare, safety, electronics, and consumer goods.

Why Do We Avoid MMM?

1. Organic revenue growth fell short of our benchmarks over the past two years and implies it may need to improve its products, pricing, or go-to-market strategy
2. Projected sales growth of 3.7% for the next 12 months suggests sluggish demand
3. Earnings per share have contracted by 1.6% annually over the last five years, a headwind for returns as stock prices often echo long-term EPS performance

At $161.26 per share, 3M trades at 18.8x forward P/E. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including MMM in your portfolio.

Ball (BALL)

Market Cap: $17.24 billion

Started with a $200 loan in 1880, Ball (NYSE:BLL) manufactures aluminum packaging for beverages, personal care, and household products as well as aerospace systems and other technologies.

Why Should You Sell BALL?

1. Customers postponed purchases of its products and services this cycle as its revenue declined by 3.1% annually over the last two years
2. Gross margin of 21.4% reflects its high production costs
3. Ability to fund investments or reward shareholders with increased buybacks or dividends is restricted by its weak free cash flow margin of -0.1% for the last five years

Ball’s stock price of $64.79 implies a valuation ratio of 16.3x forward P/E. If you’re considering BALL for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.

One Stock to Watch:

Goldman Sachs (GS)

Market Cap: $267.4 billion

Founded in 1869 as a small commercial paper business in New York City, Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) is a global financial institution that provides investment banking, securities, asset management, and consumer banking services to corporations, governments, and individuals.

Why Is GS on Our Radar?

1. Solid 12.3% annual revenue growth over the last two years indicates its offering’s solve complex business issues
2. Share repurchases have amplified shareholder returns as its annual earnings per share growth of 49.9% exceeded its revenue gains over the last two years
3. ROE of 12.7% shows management can invest its resources competently

Goldman Sachs is trading at $870.22 per share, or 14.7x forward P/E. Is now a good time to buy? See for yourself in our full research report, it’s free.

High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions

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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.