Value stocks typically trade at discounts to the broader market, offering patient investors the opportunity to buy businesses when they’re out of favor. The key risk, however, is that these stocks are usually cheap for a reason, and a low valuation can reflect underlying business challenges rather than a genuine bargain.
This distinction between true value and value traps can challenge even the most skilled investors. Luckily for you, we started StockStory to help you uncover exceptional companies. Keeping that in mind, here is one value stock offering a compelling risk-reward profile and two facing an uphill battle.
Two value stocks to sell:
CVS Health (CVS)
Forward P/E ratio: 11.1x
With over 9,000 retail pharmacy locations serving as neighborhood health destinations across America, CVS Health (NYSE:CVS) operates retail pharmacies, provides pharmacy benefit management services, and offers health insurance through its Aetna subsidiary.
Why Do We Think Twice About CVS?
- Large revenue base makes it harder to increase sales quickly, and its annual revenue growth of 6.9% over the last two years was below our standards for the healthcare sector
- Estimated sales growth of 1.7% for the next 12 months implies demand will slow from its two-year trend
- Performance over the past five years shows its incremental sales were less profitable, as its 1.1% annual earnings per share growth trailed its revenue gains
At $90.91 per share, CVS Health trades at 11.1x forward P/E. To fully understand why you should be careful with CVS, check out our full research report (it’s free).
PennyMac Financial Services (PFSI)
Forward P/B ratio: 0.8x
Founded during the 2008 financial crisis to help address the mortgage market meltdown, PennyMac Financial Services (NYSE:PFSI) is a specialty financial services company that originates, services, and manages investments related to residential mortgage loans in the United States.
Why Are We Out on PFSI?
- Customers borrowed less money this cycle as its net interest income declined by 3,338% annually over the last five years
- Forecasted net interest income decline of 8.1% for the upcoming 12 months implies demand will fall even further
- Performance over the past five years shows each sale was less profitable as its earnings per share dropped by 21.9% annually, worse than its revenue
PennyMac Financial Services’s stock price of $59.43 implies a valuation ratio of 0.8x forward P/B. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why PFSI doesn’t pass our bar.
One value stock to buy:
APA Corporation (APA)
Forward P/E ratio: 8.2x
Operating in three continents with a history stretching back to 1954, APA Corporation (NASDAQ:APA) explores for, develops, and produces crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in the U.S., Egypt, and the U.K. North Sea.
Why Should You Buy APA?
- Annual revenue growth of 4.9% over the last ten years beat the sector average and underscores the unique value of its offerings
- Enormous revenue base of $8.37 billion provides significant leverage in supplier negotiations
- Highly-profitable operating model results in strong unit economics and a top-tier gross margin of 67.7%
APA Corporation is trading at $51.61 per share, or 8.2x 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
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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 Exlservice (+271% between June 2020 and June 2025). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.