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.
Luckily for you, our mission at StockStory is to help you make money and avoid losses by sorting the winners from the losers. Keeping that in mind, here are three stocks under $50 to swipe left on and some alternatives you should look into instead.
Energizer (ENR)
Share Price: $22.50
Masterminds behind the viral Energizer Bunny mascot, Energizer (NYSE: ENR) is one of the world's largest manufacturers of batteries.
Why Are We Cautious About ENR?
- Core business is underperforming as its organic revenue has disappointed over the past two years, suggesting it might need acquisitions to stimulate growth
- Estimated sales growth of 2.1% for the next 12 months is soft and implies weaker demand
- High net-debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 5× could force the company to raise capital at unfavorable terms if market conditions deteriorate
At $22.50 per share, Energizer trades at 6.7x forward P/E. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including ENR in your portfolio.
LKQ (LKQ)
Share Price: $33.99
A global distributor of vehicle parts and accessories, LKQ (NASDAQ: LKQ) offers its customers a comprehensive selection of high-quality, affordably priced automobile products.
Why Do We Think LKQ Will Underperform?
- Organic sales performance over the past two years indicates the company may need to make strategic adjustments or rely on M&A to catalyze faster growth
- Free cash flow margin is projected to show no improvement next year
- Eroding returns on capital from an already low base indicate that management’s recent investments are destroying value
LKQ is trading at $33.99 per share, or 10.8x forward P/E. If you’re considering LKQ for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.
S&T Bancorp (STBA)
Share Price: $44.28
Tracing its roots back to 1902 in western Pennsylvania's industrial heartland, S&T Bancorp (NASDAQ: STBA) is a Pennsylvania-based bank holding company that provides retail and commercial banking services, cash management, trust services, and investment advisory solutions.
Why Does STBA Fall Short?
- Muted 4.6% annual net interest income growth over the last five years shows its demand lagged behind its banking peers
- Concessions to defend its market share have ramped up over the last two years as its net interest margin decreased by 30.8 basis points (100 basis points = 1 percentage point)
- Sales over the last two years were less profitable as its earnings per share fell by 3.3% annually while its revenue was flat
S&T Bancorp’s stock price of $44.28 implies a valuation ratio of 1.1x forward P/B. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why STBA doesn’t pass our bar.
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 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-micro-cap company Kadant (+351% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.
