Stocks in the $10-50 range offer a sweet spot between affordability and stability as they’re typically more established than penny stocks. But their headline prices don’t guarantee quality, and investors should exercise caution as some have shaky business models.
Luckily for you, our mission at StockStory is to help you make money and avoid losses by sorting the winners from the losers. That said, here are three stocks under $50 to swipe left on and some alternatives you should look into instead.
Jamf (JAMF)
Share Price: $10.25
Founded in 2002 by Zach Halmstad and Chip Pearson, right around the time when Apple began to dominate the personal computing market, Jamf (NASDAQ: JAMF) provides software for companies to manage Apple devices such as Macs, iPads, and iPhones.
Why Are We Cautious About JAMF?
- Sales trends were unexciting over the last three years as its 17.7% annual growth was below the typical software company
- Products, pricing, or go-to-market strategy may need some adjustments as its 8.9% average billings growth over the last year was weak
- Historical operating margin losses point to an inefficient cost structure
Jamf’s stock price of $10.25 implies a valuation ratio of 2.1x forward price-to-sales. To fully understand why you should be careful with JAMF, check out our full research report (it’s free).
Monro (MNRO)
Share Price: $15.84
Started as a single location in Rochester, New York, Monro (NASDAQ: MNRO) provides common auto services such as brake repairs, tire replacements, and oil changes.
Why Should You Dump MNRO?
- Disappointing same-store sales over the past two years show customers aren’t responding well to its product selection and store experience
- Modest revenue base of $1.20 billion gives it less fixed cost leverage and fewer distribution channels than larger companies
- Earnings per share have dipped by 24.4% annually over the past five years, which is concerning because stock prices follow EPS over the long term
Monro is trading at $15.84 per share, or 19.3x forward P/E. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why MNRO doesn’t pass our bar.
Central Garden & Pet (CENT)
Share Price: $35.71
Enhancing the lives of both pets and homeowners, Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ: CENT) is a leading producer and distributor of essential products for pet care, lawn and garden maintenance, and pest control.
Why Is CENT Risky?
- Organic revenue growth fell short of our benchmarks over the past two years and implies it may need to improve its products, pricing, or go-to-market strategy
- Demand will likely be weak over the next 12 months as Wall Street expects flat revenue
- Low returns on capital reflect management’s struggle to allocate funds effectively, and its shrinking returns suggest its past profit sources are losing steam
At $35.71 per share, Central Garden & Pet trades at 15.5x forward P/E. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including CENT in your portfolio.
High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions
The market surged in 2024 and reached record highs after Donald Trump’s presidential victory in November, but questions about new economic policies are adding much uncertainty for 2025.
While the crowd speculates what might happen next, we’re homing in on the companies that can succeed regardless of the political or macroeconomic environment. Put yourself in the driver’s seat and build a durable portfolio by checking out our Top 5 Growth Stocks for this month. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 183% over the last five years (as of March 31st 2025).
Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 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 for free.
