Mid-cap stocks often strike the right balance between having proven business models and market opportunities that can support $100 billion corporations.
However, they face intense competition from scaled industry giants and can be disrupted by new innovative players vying for a slice of the pie.
These dynamics can rattle even the most seasoned professionals, which is why we started StockStory - to help you separate the good companies from the bad. That said, here is one mid-cap stock with massive growth potential and two that could be down big.
Two Mid-Cap Stocks to Sell:
Labcorp (LH)
Market Cap: $21.92 billion
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?
- Core business is underperforming as its organic revenue has disappointed over the past two years, suggesting it might need acquisitions to stimulate growth
- Expenses have increased as a percentage of revenue over the last five years as its adjusted operating margin fell by 13.3 percentage points
- Waning returns on capital imply its previous profit engines are losing steam
Labcorp is trading at $261.88 per share, or 15.9x forward P/E. If you’re considering LH for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.
Waters Corporation (WAT)
Market Cap: $20.39 billion
Founded in 1958 and pioneering innovations in laboratory analysis for over six decades, Waters (NYSE:WAT) develops and manufactures analytical instruments, software, and consumables for liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, and thermal analysis used in scientific research and quality testing.
Why Does WAT Fall Short?
- Flat sales over the last two years suggest it must find different ways to grow during this cycle
- Organic sales performance over the past two years indicates the company may need to make strategic adjustments or rely on M&A to catalyze faster growth
- Waning returns on capital imply its previous profit engines are losing steam
At $342.63 per share, Waters Corporation trades at 25.9x forward P/E. To fully understand why you should be careful with WAT, check out our full research report (it’s free).
One Mid-Cap Stock to Buy:
EMCOR (EME)
Market Cap: $21.71 billion
Through its network of over 70 subsidiaries, EMCOR (NYSE:EME) provides electrical, mechanical, and building construction and services
Why Are We Backing EME?
- Impressive 14.8% annual revenue growth over the last two years indicates it’s winning market share this cycle
- Share repurchases over the last two years enabled its annual earnings per share growth of 57.7% to outpace its revenue gains
- Returns on capital are growing as management capitalizes on its market opportunities
EMCOR’s stock price of $485.03 implies a valuation ratio of 20.7x forward P/E. Is now a good time to buy? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.
High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions
Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election sent major indices to all-time highs, but stocks have retraced as investors debate the health of the economy and the potential impact of tariffs.
While this leaves much uncertainty around 2025, a few companies are poised for long-term gains regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate, like 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 183% over the last five years (as of March 31st 2025).
Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 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 for free. Find your next big winner with StockStory today. Find your next big winner with StockStory today