Value investing has created more billionaires than any other strategy, like Warren Buffett, who built his fortune by purchasing wonderful businesses at reasonable prices. But these hidden gems are few and far between - many stocks that appear cheap often stay that way because they face structural issues.
Separating the winners from the value traps is a tough challenge, and that’s where StockStory comes in. Our job is to find you high-quality companies that will stand the test of time. Keeping that in mind, here are three value stocks with poor fundamentals and some alternatives you should consider instead.
European Wax Center (EWCZ)
Forward P/E Ratio: 7.4x
Founded by two siblings, European Wax Center (NASDAQ:EWCZ) is a beauty and waxing salon chain specializing in professional wax services and skincare products.
Why Does EWCZ Worry Us?
- Lagging same-store sales over the past two years suggest it might have to change its pricing and marketing strategy to stimulate demand
- Sales are projected to be flat over the next 12 months and imply weak demand
- ROIC of 10.5% reflects management’s challenges in identifying attractive investment opportunities
European Wax Center’s stock price of $4.08 implies a valuation ratio of 7.4x forward P/E. If you’re considering EWCZ for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.
Pfizer (PFE)
Forward P/E Ratio: 8.3x
With roots dating back to 1849 when two German immigrants opened a fine chemicals business in Brooklyn, Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) is a global biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells medicines and vaccines for a wide range of diseases and conditions.
Why Does PFE Fall Short?
- 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
- Capital intensity has ramped up over the last five years as its free cash flow margin decreased by 17.4 percentage points
- Waning returns on capital imply its previous profit engines are losing steam
Pfizer is trading at $23.94 per share, or 8.3x forward P/E. To fully understand why you should be careful with PFE, check out our full research report (it’s free).
Insight Enterprises (NSIT)
Forward P/E Ratio: 11.9x
With over 35 years of IT expertise and partnerships with more than 8,000 technology providers, Insight Enterprises (NASDAQ:NSIT) provides end-to-end digital transformation solutions that help businesses modernize their IT infrastructure and maximize the value of technology.
Why Should You Dump NSIT?
- Products and services are facing significant end-market challenges during this cycle as sales have declined by 7.2% annually over the last two years
- Earnings per share lagged its peers over the last two years as they only grew by 2.8% annually
- Ability to fund investments or reward shareholders with increased buybacks or dividends is restricted by its weak free cash flow margin of 2.3% for the last five years
At $120.49 per share, Insight Enterprises trades at 11.9x forward P/E. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why NSIT doesn’t pass our bar.
High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions
Donald Trump’s April 2025 "Liberation Day" tariffs sent markets into a tailspin, but stocks have since rebounded strongly, proving that knee-jerk reactions often create the best buying opportunities.
The smart money is already positioning for the next leg up. Don’t miss out on the recovery - check out 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
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