A company with profits isn’t always a great investment. Some struggle to maintain growth, face looming threats, or fail to reinvest wisely, limiting their future potential.
Not all profitable companies are created equal, and that’s why we built StockStory - to help you find the ones that truly shine bright. Keeping that in mind, here are three profitable companies to steer clear of and a few better alternatives.
Moog (MOG.A)
Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 9.2%
Responsible for the flight control actuation system integrated in the B-2 stealth bomber, Moog (NYSE: MOG.A) provides precision motion control solutions used in aerospace and defense applications
Why Does MOG.A Worry Us?
- 4.2% annual revenue growth over the last five years was slower than its industrials peers
- Estimated sales growth of 1.7% for the next 12 months implies demand will slow from its two-year trend
- 12.8 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
Moog is trading at $188.83 per share, or 21.4x forward P/E. To fully understand why you should be careful with MOG.A, check out our full research report (it’s free).
Union Pacific (UNP)
Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 40.1%
Part of the transcontinental railroad project, Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) is a freight transportation company that operates a major railroad network.
Why Do We Think UNP Will Underperform?
- Underwhelming unit sales over the past two years indicate demand is soft and that the company may need to revise its strategy
- Flat earnings per share over the last two years underperformed the sector average
- Capital intensity has ramped up over the last five years as its free cash flow margin decreased by 6 percentage points
Union Pacific’s stock price of $229.50 implies a valuation ratio of 19.1x forward P/E. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why UNP doesn’t pass our bar.
ICU Medical (ICUI)
Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 5%
Founded in 1984 and named for its initial focus on intensive care units, ICU Medical (NASDAQ: ICUI) develops and manufactures medical products for infusion therapy, vascular access, and vital care applications used in hospitals and other healthcare settings.
Why Are We Out on ICUI?
- Muted 2.2% annual revenue growth over the last two years shows its demand lagged behind its healthcare peers
- Sales are projected to tank by 12.3% over the next 12 months as demand evaporates
- Incremental sales over the last five years were much less profitable as its earnings per share fell by 1.1% annually while its revenue grew
At $138 per share, ICU Medical trades at 19.2x forward P/E. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including ICUI in your portfolio.
High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions
Market indices reached historic highs following Donald Trump’s presidential victory in November 2024, but the outlook for 2025 is clouded by new trade policies that could impact business confidence and growth.
While this has caused many investors to adopt a "fearful" wait-and-see approach, we’re leaning into our best ideas that can grow regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate. Take advantage of Mr. Market by checking out our Top 5 Strong Momentum Stocks for this week. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 176% over the last five years.
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 Kadant (+351% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today for free.
