1 Profitable Stock That Stand Out and 2 to Turn Down

Not all profitable companies are built to last - some rely on outdated models or unsustainable advantages. Just because a business is in the green today doesn’t mean it will thrive tomorrow.

Not all profitable companies are created equal, and that’s why we built StockStory - to help you find the ones that truly shine bright. Keeping that in mind, here is one profitable company that generates reliable profits without sacrificing growth and two that may struggle to keep up.

Two Stocks to Sell:

Labcorp (LH)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 8.3%

With over 600 million tests performed annually and involvement in 90% of FDA-approved drugs in 2023, Labcorp (NYSE:LH) provides laboratory testing services and drug development solutions to doctors, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and patients worldwide.

Why Does LH Worry Us?

1. Core business is underperforming as its organic revenue has disappointed over the past two years, suggesting it might need acquisitions to stimulate growth
2. Efficiency has decreased over the last five years as its adjusted operating margin fell by 13.3 percentage points
3. Waning returns on capital imply its previous profit engines are losing steam

Labcorp is trading at $245.90 per share, or 14.9x forward P/E. If you’re considering LH for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.

Agilent (A)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 22.7%

Originally spun off from Hewlett-Packard in 1999 as its measurement and analytical division, Agilent Technologies (NYSE:A) provides analytical instruments, software, services, and consumables for laboratory workflows in life sciences, diagnostics, and applied chemical markets.

Why Are We Wary of A?

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. Estimated sales growth of 4.1% for the next 12 months is soft and implies weaker demand
3. Overall productivity fell over the last two years as its plummeting sales were accompanied by a decline in its adjusted operating margin

At $107 per share, Agilent trades at 18.8x forward P/E. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than A.

One Stock to Buy:

Costco (COST)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 3.7%

Designed to be a one-stop shop for the suburban consumer, Costco (NASDAQ:COST) is a membership-only retail chain that sells groceries, apparel, toys, and household items, often in bulk quantities.

Why Will COST Outperform?

1. Same-store sales growth averaged 4.4% over the past two years, showing it’s bringing new and repeat shoppers into its stores
2. Dominant market position is represented by its $264.1 billion in revenue, which compensates for its subpar gross margin
3. Market-beating returns on capital illustrate that management has a knack for investing in profitable ventures

Costco’s stock price of $1,010 implies a valuation ratio of 53x forward P/E. Is now the time to initiate a position? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.

Stocks That Overcame Trump’s 2018 Tariffs

Market indices reached historic highs following Donald Trump’s presidential victory in November 2024, but the outlook for 2025 is clouded by new trade policies that could impact business confidence and growth.

While this has caused many investors to adopt a "fearful" wait-and-see approach, we’re leaning into our best ideas that can grow regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate. Take advantage of Mr. Market by checking out 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 175% over the last five years.

Stocks that made our list in 2019 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+2,183% between December 2019 and December 2024) as well as under-the-radar businesses like Axon (+711% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today for free.