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2 profitable stocks on our watchlist and 1 we question
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 are two profitable companies that generate reliable profits without sacrificing growth and one that may face some trouble.
One stock to sell:
PayPal (PYPL)
Trailing 12-month GAAP operating margin: 17%
Originally spun off from eBay in 2015 after being acquired by the auction giant in 2002, PayPal (NASDAQ:PYPL) operates a global digital payments platform that enables consumers and merchants to send, receive, and process payments online and in person.
Why Is PYPL Not Exciting?
- Large revenue base makes it harder to increase sales quickly, and its annual revenue growth of 4.4% over the last two years was below our standards for the financials sector
- Incremental sales over the last five years were less profitable as its 3.4% annual earnings per share growth lagged its revenue gains
At $56.43 per share, PayPal trades at 9.6x forward P/E. To fully understand why you should be careful with PYPL, check out our full research report (it’s free).
Two stocks to watch:
CAVA (CAVA)
Trailing 12-month GAAP operating margin: 5.2%
Starting from a single Washington, D.C. location, CAVA (NYSE:CAVA) operates a fast-casual restaurant chain offering customizable Mediterranean-inspired dishes.
Why Should CAVA Be on Your Watchlist?
- Aggressive strategy of rolling out new restaurants to gobble up whitespace is prudent given its same-store sales growth
- Average same-store sales growth of 9.2% over the past two years indicates its restaurants are resonating with diners
- Expected revenue growth of 21.4% for the next year suggests its market share will rise
CAVA is trading at $54.67 per share, or 78.3x forward P/E. Is now the right time to buy? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.
United Rentals (URI)
Trailing 12-month GAAP operating margin: 25.5%
Owning the largest rental fleet in the world, United Rentals (NYSE:URI) provides equipment rental and related services to construction, industrial, and infrastructure industries.
Why Could URI Be a Winner?
- Annual revenue growth of 13.7% over the last five years was superb and indicates its market share increased during this cycle
- Healthy operating margin of 26.2% shows it’s a well-run company with efficient processes
- Share repurchases have amplified shareholder returns as its annual earnings per share growth of 20% exceeded its revenue gains over the last five years
United Rentals’s stock price of $1,176 implies a valuation ratio of 19.6x forward P/E. Is now a good time to buy? See for yourself in our full research report, it’s free.
High-quality stocks for all market conditions
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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-micro-cap company Kadant (+214% between June 2020 and June 2025). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.