Not all profitable companies are built to last - some rely on outdated models or unsustainable advantages. Just because a business is in the green today doesn’t mean it will thrive tomorrow.
Not all profitable companies are created equal, and that’s why we built StockStory - to help you find the ones that truly shine bright. That said, here is one profitable company that balances growth and profitability and two that may struggle to keep up.
Two Stocks to Sell:
Surgery Partners (SGRY)
Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 11.2%
With more than 180 locations across 33 states serving as alternatives to traditional hospital settings, Surgery Partners (NASDAQ:SGRY) operates a national network of outpatient surgical facilities including ambulatory surgery centers and short-stay surgical hospitals.
Why Are We Cautious About SGRY?
- Underwhelming unit sales over the past two years imply it may need to invest in improvements to get back on track
- Poor free cash flow margin of 4.3% for the last five years limits its freedom to invest in growth initiatives, execute share buybacks, or pay dividends
- High net-debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 6× could force the company to raise capital at unfavorable terms if market conditions deteriorate
Surgery Partners is trading at $22.22 per share, or 22.9x forward P/E. If you’re considering SGRY for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.
Barrett (BBSI)
Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 5.2%
Operating as a professional employer organization (PEO) that serves over 8,000 companies with more than 120,000 worksite employees, Barrett Business Services (NASDAQ:BBSI) provides management solutions that help small and mid-sized businesses handle human resources, payroll, workers' compensation, and other administrative functions.
Why Does BBSI Give Us Pause?
- Smaller revenue base of $1.20 billion means it hasn’t achieved the economies of scale that some industry juggernauts enjoy
- Capital intensity has ramped up over the last five years as its free cash flow margin decreased by 10.1 percentage points
- Diminishing returns on capital suggest its earlier profit pools are drying up
Barrett’s stock price of $46.48 implies a valuation ratio of 20.1x forward P/E. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including BBSI in your portfolio.
One Stock to Watch:
Match Group (MTCH)
Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 23.2%
Originally started as a dial-up service before widespread internet adoption, Match (NASDAQ:MTCH) was an early innovator in online dating and today has a portfolio of apps including Tinder, Hinge, Archer, and OkCupid.
Why Are We Positive On MTCH?
- Customers are spending more money on its platform as its average revenue per user has increased by 8.9% annually over the last two years
- Excellent EBITDA margin of 36.3% highlights the efficiency of its business model
- Strong free cash flow margin of 26.4% enables it to reinvest or return capital consistently, and its growing cash flow gives it even more resources to deploy
At $38.01 per share, Match Group trades at 7.7x forward EV/EBITDA. Is now the right time to buy? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.
High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions
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