The stocks featured in this article have all approached their 52-week highs. When these price levels hit, it typically signals strong business execution, positive market sentiment, or significant industry tailwinds.

However, not all companies with momentum are long-term winners, and many investors have lost money by following short-term trends. All that said, here is one stock with the fundamentals to back up its performance and two best left ignored.

Two Stocks to Sell:

Clean Harbors (CLH)

One-Month Return: +10.8%

Established in 1980, Clean Harbors (NYSE: CLH) provides environmental and industrial services like hazardous and non-hazardous waste disposal and emergency spill cleanups.

Why Are We Cautious About CLH?

1. Core business is underperforming as its organic revenue has disappointed over the past two years, suggesting it might need acquisitions to stimulate growth
2. Estimated sales growth of 3.4% for the next 12 months implies demand will slow from its two-year trend
3. Earnings growth underperformed the sector average over the last two years as its EPS grew by just 5% annually

Clean Harbors’s stock price of $238.35 implies a valuation ratio of 30.6x forward P/E. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than CLH.

Markel Group (MKL)

One-Month Return: +7%

Often referred to as a "mini Berkshire Hathaway" for its three-engine business model of insurance, investments, and wholly-owned businesses, Markel Group (NYSE: MKL) is a specialty insurance company that underwrites complex risks, manages investment portfolios, and owns a diverse collection of operating businesses.

Why Does MKL Fall Short?

1. Large revenue base constrains its growth potential, as seen in its unexciting 2.4% annualized increases in net premiums earned over the last two years fell below our expectations for the insurance sector
2. Estimated sales growth of 1.4% for the next 12 months implies demand will slow from its two-year trend
3. Earnings growth underperformed the sector average over the last two years as its EPS grew by just 13.2% annually

Markel Group is trading at $2,189 per share, or 1.5x forward P/B. To fully understand why you should be careful with MKL, check out our full research report (it’s free for active Edge members).

One Stock to Buy:

Astronics (ATRO)

One-Month Return: +10.5%

Integrating power outlets into many Boeing aircraft, Astronics (NASDAQ: ATRO) is a provider of technologies and services to the global aerospace, defense, and electronics industries.

Why Will ATRO Beat the Market?

1. Market share has increased this cycle as its 12.9% annual revenue growth over the last two years was exceptional
2. Free cash flow margin jumped by 10.4 percentage points over the last five years, giving the company more resources to pursue growth initiatives, repurchase shares, or pay dividends
3. Returns on capital are increasing as management’s prior bets are starting to bear fruit

At $55.76 per share, Astronics trades at 23.7x forward P/E. Is now the right time to buy? See for yourself in our comprehensive research report, it’s free for active Edge members .

High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions

The market’s up big this year - but there’s a catch. Just 4 stocks account for half the S&P 500’s entire gain. That kind of concentration makes investors nervous, and for good reason. While everyone piles into the same crowded names, smart investors are hunting quality where no one’s looking - and paying a fraction of the price. Check out the high-quality names we’ve flagged in our Top 9 Market-Beating Stocks. 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-micro-cap company Kadant (+351% 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.