Wall Street has issued downbeat forecasts for the stocks in this article. These predictions are rare - financial institutions typically hesitate to say bad things about a company because it can jeopardize their other revenue-generating business lines like M&A advisory.
At StockStory, we look beyond the headlines with our independent analysis to determine whether these bearish calls are justified. That said, here are two stocks where you should be greedy instead of fearful and one where the outlook is warranted.
One Stock to Sell:
Sallie Mae (SLM)
Consensus Price Target: $28.55 (8.6% implied return)
Originally created as a government-sponsored enterprise before privatizing in 2004, Sallie Mae (NASDAQ: SLM) is a financial services company that provides private education loans, savings products, and educational resources to help students and families pay for college.
Why Is SLM Risky?
- Flat sales over the last five years suggest it must find different ways to grow during this cycle
- Performance over the past five years shows each sale was less profitable, as its earnings per share fell by 1.5% annually
Sallie Mae’s stock price of $26.28 implies a valuation ratio of 9.1x forward P/E. If you’re considering SLM for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.
Two Stocks to Watch:
HEICO (HEI)
Consensus Price Target: $388.32 (1.7% implied return)
Founded in 1957, HEICO (NYSE: HEI) manufactures and services aerospace and electronic components for commercial aviation, defense, space, and other industries.
Why Do We Love HEI?
- Annual revenue growth of 18.3% over the past two years was outstanding, reflecting market share gains this cycle
- Earnings growth has trumped its peers over the last two years as its EPS has compounded at 32.7% annually
- Impressive free cash flow profitability enables the company to fund new investments or reward investors with share buybacks/dividends
At $382 per share, HEICO trades at 58.4x forward P/E. Is now the time to initiate a position? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.
BNY (BNY)
Consensus Price Target: $167.33 (1.7% implied return)
Tracing its roots back to 1784 when it was founded by Alexander Hamilton, BNY (NYSE: BNY) is a global financial institution that provides asset servicing, wealth management, and investment services to institutions, corporations, and high-net-worth individuals.
Why Is BNY on Our Radar?
- Share buybacks catapulted its annual earnings per share growth to 27.5%, which outperformed its revenue gains over the last two years
- Annual tangible book value per share growth of 13.3% over the past two years was outstanding, reflecting strong capital accumulation this cycle
BNY is trading at $164.55 per share, or 17x forward P/E. Is now the right time to buy? See for yourself in our full research report, it’s free.
High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions
ALSO WORTH WATCHING: Top 5 Momentum Stocks. The best time to own a great stock is when the market is finally noticing it. These aren’t just high-quality businesses. Something is happening with them right now. Elite fundamentals meet near-term momentum — both boxes checked at the same time.
Find out which stocks our AI platform is flagging this week. See this week’s Strong Momentum stocks — FREE. Get Our Strong Momentum Stocks for Free HERE.
Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,460% between June 2020 and June 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-small-cap company Exlservice (+271% between June 2020 and June 2025). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.
