Not all profitable companies are built to last - some rely on outdated models or unsustainable advantages.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.
Profits are valuable, but they’re not everything. At StockStory, we help you identify the companies that have real staying power. That said, here is one profitable company that balances growth and profitability and two best left off your watchlist.
Two Stocks to Sell:
Paychex (PAYX)
Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 37.1%
Once known as the go-to service for small business payroll needs, Paychex (NASDAQ: PAYX) provides payroll processing, HR services, employee benefits administration, and insurance solutions to small and medium-sized businesses.
Why Are We Hesitant About PAYX?
- Muted 8.7% annual revenue growth over the last five years shows its demand lagged behind its software peers
- Demand will likely be soft over the next 12 months as Wall Street’s estimates imply tepid growth of 10.5%
- Expenses have increased as a percentage of revenue over the last year as its operating margin fell by 4.2 percentage points
Paychex is trading at $91.37 per share, or 5x forward price-to-sales. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than PAYX.
Benchmark (BHE)
Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 3.6%
Operating as a critical behind-the-scenes partner for complex technology products since 1979, Benchmark Electronics (NYSE: BHE) provides advanced manufacturing, engineering, and technology solutions for original equipment manufacturers across aerospace, medical, industrial, and technology sectors.
Why Does BHE Worry Us?
- Annual sales declines of 3.2% for the past two years show its products and services struggled to connect with the market during this cycle
- Lacking free cash flow generation means it has few chances to reinvest for growth, repurchase shares, or distribute capital
- ROIC of 7.2% reflects management’s challenges in identifying attractive investment opportunities
At $58.38 per share, Benchmark trades at 22.5x forward P/E. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including BHE in your portfolio.
One Stock to Watch:
Celsius (CELH)
Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 4.5%
With its proprietary MetaPlus formula as the basis for key products, Celsius (NASDAQ: CELH) offers energy drinks that feature natural ingredients to help in fitness and weight management.
Why Does CELH Catch Our Eye?
- Market share has increased over the last three years as its 54.2% annual revenue growth was exceptional
- Earnings per share grew by 321% annually over the last three years and trumped its peers
- CELH is a free cash flow machine with the flexibility to invest in growth initiatives or return capital to shareholders, and its improved cash conversion implies it’s becoming a less capital-intensive business
Celsius’s stock price of $48.20 implies a valuation ratio of 30.9x forward P/E. Is now a good time to buy? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.
Stocks We Like Even More
If your portfolio success hinges on just 4 stocks, your wealth is built on fragile ground. You have a small window to secure high-quality assets before the market widens and these prices disappear.
Don’t wait for the next volatility shock. 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 244% over the last five years (as of June 30, 2025).
Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,326% between June 2020 and June 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-small-cap company Exlservice (+354% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.
