Even if a company is profitable, it doesn’t always mean it’s a great investment. Some struggle to maintain growth, face looming threats, or fail to reinvest wisely, limiting their future potential.
A business making money today isn’t necessarily a winner, which is why we analyze companies across multiple dimensions at StockStory. Keeping that in mind, here is one profitable company that generates reliable profits without sacrificing growth and two that may face some trouble.
Two Stocks to Sell:
Herbalife (HLF)
Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 9.5%
With the first products sold out of the trunk of the founder’s car, Herbalife (NYSE:HLF) today offers a portfolio of shakes, supplements, personal care products, and weight management programs to help customers reach their nutritional and fitness goals.
Why Does HLF Give Us Pause?
- 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
- Estimated sales growth of 2.1% for the next 12 months is soft and implies weaker demand
- Issuance of new shares over the last three years caused its earnings per share to fall by 8.3% annually while its revenue grew
At $14.62 per share, Herbalife trades at 5.3x forward P/E. To fully understand why you should be careful with HLF, check out our full research report (it’s free).
Atlanticus Holdings (ATLC)
Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 9.6%
Using data analytics to serve the millions of Americans with less-than-perfect credit scores, Atlanticus Holdings (NASDAQ:ATLC) provides technology and services that help lenders offer credit products to consumers often overlooked by traditional financing providers.
Why Is ATLC Not Exciting?
- Flat earnings per share over the last four years lagged its peers
Atlanticus Holdings is trading at $93.55 per share, or 7.9x forward P/E. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including ATLC in your portfolio.
One Stock to Buy:
Badger Meter (BMI)
Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 18.6%
The developer of the world’s first frost-proof water meter in 1905, Badger Meter (NYSE:BMI) provides water control and measure equipment to various industries.
Why Is BMI a Top Pick?
- Impressive 13.6% annual revenue growth over the last five years indicates it’s winning market share this cycle
- Additional sales over the last five years increased its profitability as the 17.5% annual growth in its earnings per share outpaced its revenue
- Strong free cash flow margin of 15.6% enables it to reinvest or return capital consistently, and its recently improved profitability means it has even more resources to invest or distribute
Badger Meter’s stock price of $126.93 implies a valuation ratio of 27x forward P/E. Is now a good time to buy? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.
Stocks We Like Even More
ONE MORE THING: Top 5 Growth Stocks. The biggest stock winners almost always had one thing in common before they ran. Revenue growing like crazy. Meta. CrowdStrike. Broadcom. Our AI flagged all three. They returned 315%, 314%, and 455%, respectively.
Find out which 5 stocks it’s flagging this month — FREE. Get Our Top 5 Growth Stocks for Free HERE.
Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,460% between June 2020 and June 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-small-cap company Comfort Systems (+1,154% between June 2020 and June 2025). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.