The $10-50 price range often includes mid-sized businesses with proven track records and plenty of growth runway ahead. They also usually carry less risk than penny stocks, though they’re not immune to volatility as many lack the scale advantages of their larger peers.
Luckily for you, our mission at StockStory is to help you make money and avoid losses by sorting the winners from the losers. That said, here are three stocks under $50 to swipe left on and some alternatives you should look into instead.
Wabash (WNC)
Share Price: $11.09
With its first trailer reportedly built on two sawhorses, Wabash (NYSE:WNC) offers semi trailers, liquid transportation containers, truck bodies, and equipment for moving goods.
Why Should You Dump WNC?
- Product roadmap and go-to-market strategy need to be reconsidered as its backlog has averaged 36.2% declines over the past two years
- Sales were less profitable over the last five years as its earnings per share fell by 22.3% annually, worse than its revenue declines
- High net-debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 8× increases the risk of forced asset sales or dilutive financing if operational performance weakens
Wabash is trading at $11.09 per share, or 14.8x forward P/E. To fully understand why you should be careful with WNC, check out our full research report (it’s free).
Mayville Engineering (MEC)
Share Price: $14.60
Originally founded solely on tool and die manufacturing, Mayville Engineering Company (NYSE:MEC) specializes in metal fabrication, tube bending, and welding to be used in various industries.
Why Does MEC Worry Us?
- Products and services are facing significant end-market challenges during this cycle as sales have declined by 2% annually over the last two years
- Gross margin of 12.8% is below its competitors, leaving less money to invest in areas like marketing and R&D
- Earnings per share have contracted by 43.3% annually over the last two years, a headwind for returns as stock prices often echo long-term EPS performance
At $14.60 per share, Mayville Engineering trades at 15.3x forward P/E. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than MEC.
Dave & Buster's (PLAY)
Share Price: $25.66
Founded by a former game parlor and bar operator, Dave & Buster’s (NASDAQ:PLAY) operates a chain of arcades providing immersive entertainment experiences.
Why Are We Cautious About PLAY?
- Poor same-store sales performance over the past two years indicates it’s having trouble bringing new shoppers into its stores
- Cash-burning history makes us doubt the long-term viability of its business model
- Short cash runway increases the probability of a capital raise that dilutes existing shareholders
Dave & Buster’s stock price of $25.66 implies a valuation ratio of 12.1x forward P/E. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why PLAY doesn’t pass our bar.
High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions
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