While strong cash flow is a key indicator of stability, it doesn’t always translate to superior returns.
Some cash-heavy businesses struggle with inefficient spending, slowing demand, or weak competitive positioning.
Cash flow is valuable, but it’s not everything - StockStory helps you identify the companies that truly put it to work. Keeping that in mind, here is one cash-producing company that leverages its financial strength to beat its competitors and two that may struggle to keep up.
Two Stocks to Sell:
Red Rock Resorts (RRR)
Trailing 12-Month Free Cash Flow Margin: 15.1%
Founded in 1976, Red Rock Resorts (NASDAQ:RRR) operates a range of casino resorts and entertainment properties, primarily in the Las Vegas metropolitan area.
Why Do We Avoid RRR?
- Lackluster 1.7% annual revenue growth over the last five years indicates the company is losing ground to competitors
- Projected sales are flat for the next 12 months, implying demand will slow from its two-year trend
- Shrinking returns on capital suggest that increasing competition is eating into the company’s profitability
Red Rock Resorts is trading at $51.85 per share, or 31.6x forward P/E. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including RRR in your portfolio.
ASGN (ASGN)
Trailing 12-Month Free Cash Flow Margin: 7.7%
Evolving from its roots in IT staffing to become a high-end technology consulting powerhouse, ASGN (NYSE:ASGN) provides specialized IT consulting services and staffing solutions to Fortune 1000 companies and U.S. federal government agencies.
Why Are We Out on ASGN?
- Products and services are facing significant end-market challenges during this cycle as sales have declined by 6.7% annually over the last two years
- Performance over the past two years shows each sale was less profitable as its earnings per share dropped by 11.6% annually, worse than its revenue
- 5.1 percentage point decline in its free cash flow margin over the last five years reflects the company’s increased investments to defend its market position
At $50.16 per share, ASGN trades at 9.9x forward P/E. To fully understand why you should be careful with ASGN, check out our full research report (it’s free).
One Stock to Buy:
Molina Healthcare (MOH)
Trailing 12-Month Free Cash Flow Margin: 1.3%
Founded in 1980 as a provider for underserved communities in Southern California, Molina Healthcare (NYSE:MOH) provides managed healthcare services primarily to low-income individuals through Medicaid, Medicare, and Marketplace insurance programs across 21 states.
Why Will MOH Beat the Market?
- Annual revenue growth of 19.4% over the past five years was outstanding, reflecting market share gains this cycle
- Scale advantages are evident in its $41.87 billion revenue base, which provides operating leverage when demand is strong
- Earnings growth has massively outpaced its peers over the last five years as its EPS has compounded at 14.5% annually
Molina Healthcare’s stock price of $297.05 implies a valuation ratio of 11.6x forward P/E. Is now a good time to buy? See for yourself in our in-depth 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-micro-cap company Tecnoglass (+1,754% 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