Stocks trading between $10 and $50 can be particularly interesting as they frequently represent businesses that have survived their early challenges. However, investors should remain vigilant as some may still have unproven business models, leaving them vulnerable to the ebbs and flows of the broader market.
This is precisely where StockStory comes in - we do the heavy lifting to identify companies with solid fundamentals so you can invest with confidence. Keeping that in mind, here are three stocks under $50 to swipe left on and some alternatives you should look into instead.
Jack in the Box (JACK)
Share Price: $22.59
Delighting customers since its inception in 1951, Jack in the Box (NASDAQ: JACK) is a distinctive fast-food chain known for its bold flavors, innovative menu items, and quirky marketing.
Why Are We Out on JACK?
- Poor same-store sales performance over the past two years indicates it’s having trouble bringing new diners into its restaurants
- Day-to-day expenses have swelled relative to revenue over the last year as its operating margin fell by 6.5 percentage points
- High net-debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 11× could force the company to raise capital at unfavorable terms if market conditions deteriorate
Jack in the Box is trading at $22.59 per share, or 5.6x forward P/E. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including JACK in your portfolio.
The Pennant Group (PNTG)
Share Price: $28.83
Spun off from The Ensign Group in 2019 to focus on non-skilled nursing healthcare services, Pennant Group (NASDAQ: PNTG) operates home health, hospice, and senior living facilities across 13 western and midwestern states, serving patients of all ages including seniors.
Why Are We Cautious About PNTG?
- Modest revenue base of $842.2 million gives it less fixed cost leverage and fewer distribution channels than larger companies
- Low free cash flow margin of 1.4% for the last five years gives it little breathing room, constraining its ability to self-fund growth or return capital to shareholders
- Low returns on capital reflect management’s struggle to allocate funds effectively
The Pennant Group’s stock price of $28.83 implies a valuation ratio of 22.5x forward P/E. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why PNTG doesn’t pass our bar.
Corebridge Financial (CRBG)
Share Price: $30.52
Spun off from insurance giant AIG in 2022 to focus on the growing retirement market, Corebridge Financial (NYSE: CRBG) provides retirement solutions, annuities, life insurance, and institutional risk management products in the United States.
Why Do We Think Twice About CRBG?
- 15.4% annual declines in net premiums earned for the past two years indicates policy sales struggled this cycle
- Expenses have increased as a percentage of revenue over the last four years as its pre-tax profit margin fell by 22.4 percentage points
- Debt-to-equity ratio of 1.1× shows the firm has taken on excessive debt, leaving little room for error
At $30.52 per share, Corebridge Financial trades at 1.1x forward P/B. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than CRBG.
Stocks We Like More
Your portfolio can’t afford to be based on yesterday’s story. The risk in a handful of heavily crowded stocks is rising daily.
The names generating the next wave of massive growth are right here in our Top 6 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 Comfort Systems (+782% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.
