
Not all profitable companies are built to last - some rely on outdated models or unsustainable advantages.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.
A business making money today isn’t necessarily a winner, which is why we analyze companies across multiple dimensions at StockStory. Keeping that in mind, here is one profitable company that balances growth and profitability and two best left off your watchlist.
Two Stocks to Sell:
Vail Resorts (MTN)
Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 18.6%
Founded by two Aspen, Colorado ski patrol guides, Vail Resorts (NYSE: MTN) is a mountain resort company offering luxury experiences in over 30 locations across the globe.
Why Should You Sell MTN?
- Number of skier visits has disappointed over the past two years, indicating weak demand for its offerings
- Lacking free cash flow generation means it has few chances to reinvest for growth, repurchase shares, or distribute capital
- Improving returns on capital suggest management is identifying more profitable investments
Vail Resorts’s stock price of $138.27 implies a valuation ratio of 19.5x forward P/E. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why MTN doesn’t pass our bar.
Ryder (R)
Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 8.4%
As one of the first companies to introduce the idea of leasing trucks, Ryder (NYSE: R) provides rental vehicles to businesses and delivers packages directly to homes or businesses.
Why Are We Out on R?
- Scale is a double-edged sword because it limits the company’s growth potential compared to its smaller competitors, as reflected in its below-average annual revenue increases of 3.5% for the last two years
- Earnings per share have dipped by 4% annually over the past two years, which is concerning because stock prices follow EPS over the long term
- Capital intensity has ramped up over the last five years as its free cash flow margin decreased by 5.8 percentage points
Ryder is trading at $187.77 per share, or 13.3x forward P/E. If you’re considering R for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.
One Stock to Buy:
Motorola Solutions (MSI)
Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 25.3%
Born from the company that invented the first portable handheld police radio in 1940, Motorola Solutions (NYSE: MSI) provides mission-critical communications, video security, and command center software solutions for public safety agencies and enterprise customers.
Why Are We Backing MSI?
- Offerings and unique value proposition resonate with customers, as seen in its above-market 8.5% annual sales growth over the last five years
- Sizeable revenue base of $11.31 billion gives it economies of scale and distribution advantages
- Impressive free cash flow profitability enables the company to fund new investments or reward investors with share buybacks/dividends, and its recently improved profitability means it has even more resources to invest or distribute
At $382.18 per share, Motorola Solutions trades at 24x forward P/E. Is now the time to initiate a position? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.
Stocks We Like Even More
Check out the high-quality names we’ve flagged in our Top 5 Strong Momentum Stocks for this week. 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.