A highly volatile stock can deliver big gains - or just as easily wipe out a portfolio if things go south. While some investors embrace risk, mistakes can be costly for those who aren’t prepared.
Navigating these stocks isn’t easy, which is why StockStory helps you find Comfort In Chaos. That said, here is one volatile stock with massive upside potential and two that might not be worth the risk.
Two Stocks to Sell:
Owens Corning (OC)
Rolling One-Year Beta: 1.38
Credited with the discovery of fiberglass, Owens Corning (NYSE:OC) supplies building and construction materials to the United States and international markets.
Why Are We Out on OC?
- The company has faced growth challenges as its 5.8% annual revenue increases over the last two years fell short of other industrials companies
- Efficiency has decreased over the last five years as its operating margin fell by 13.6 percentage points
- Eroding returns on capital suggest its historical profit centers are aging
Owens Corning’s stock price of $134.19 implies a valuation ratio of 13.8x forward P/E. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including OC in your portfolio.
First Citizens BancShares (FCNCA)
Rolling One-Year Beta: 1.18
With roots dating back to 1898 and a significant expansion through its 2023 acquisition of Silicon Valley Bank, First Citizens BancShares (NASDAQGS:FCNC.A) is a bank holding company that provides financial services to individuals and businesses through its First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company subsidiary.
Why Are We Wary of FCNCA?
- 2.6% annual revenue growth over the last two years was slower than its banking peers
- Forecasted net interest income decline of 1.8% for the upcoming 12 months implies demand will fall off a cliff
- Concessions to defend its market share have ramped up over the last two years as its net interest margin decreased by 61.8 basis points (100 basis points = 1 percentage point)
At $2,009 per share, First Citizens BancShares trades at 1.1x forward P/B. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why FCNCA doesn’t pass our bar.
One Stock to Buy:
Robinhood (HOOD)
Rolling One-Year Beta: 3.21
With a mission to democratize finance, Robinhood (NASDAQ:HOOD) is an online consumer finance platform known for its commission-free stock and crypto trading.
Why Should You Buy HOOD?
- Customer spending is rising as the company has focused on monetization over the last two years, leading to 198% annual growth in its average revenue per user
- Additional sales over the last three years increased its profitability as the 63.9% annual growth in its earnings per share outpaced its revenue
- Free cash flow margin jumped by 102.3 percentage points over the last few years, giving the company more resources to pursue growth initiatives, repurchase shares, or pay dividends
Robinhood is trading at $76.07 per share, or 22.4x forward EV/EBITDA. Is now a good time to buy? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.
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-small-cap company Comfort Systems (+782% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.