A stock with low volatility can be reassuring, but it doesn’t always mean strong long-term performance. Investors who prioritize stability may miss out on higher-reward opportunities elsewhere.
Luckily for you, StockStory helps you navigate which companies are truly worth holding. Keeping that in mind, here is one low-volatility stock that could offer consistent gains and two that may not deliver the returns you need.
Two Stocks to Sell:
Lincoln Educational (LINC)
Rolling One-Year Beta: 0.89
Established in 1946, Lincoln Educational (NASDAQ: LINC) is a provider of specialized technical training in the United States, offering career-oriented programs to provide practical skills required in the workforce.
Why Should You Dump LINC?
- Performance surrounding its enrolled students has lagged its peers
- Cash-burning history makes us doubt the long-term viability of its business model
- Shrinking returns on capital from an already weak position reveal that neither previous nor ongoing investments are yielding the desired results
At $27.55 per share, Lincoln Educational trades at 35.1x forward P/E. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than LINC.
Fastenal (FAST)
Rolling One-Year Beta: 0.55
Founded in 1967, Fastenal (NASDAQ: FAST) provides industrial and construction supplies, including fasteners, tools, safety products, and many other product categories to businesses globally.
Why Are We Hesitant About FAST?
- Muted 5.7% annual revenue growth over the last two years shows its demand lagged behind its industrials peers
- Earnings growth over the last two years fell short of the peer group average as its EPS only increased by 4.4% annually
Fastenal is trading at $44.62 per share, or 36.7x forward P/E. If you’re considering FAST for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.
One Stock to Watch:
Maximus (MMS)
Rolling One-Year Beta: 0.13
With nearly 50 years of experience translating public policy into operational programs that serve millions of citizens, Maximus (NYSE: MMS) provides operational services, clinical assessments, and technology solutions to government agencies in the U.S. and internationally.
Why Could MMS Be a Winner?
- Market share has increased this cycle as its 9.4% annual revenue growth over the last five years was exceptional
- $5.43 billion in revenue allows it to spread its fixed costs across a wider base
- Performance over the past two years was turbocharged by share buybacks, which enabled its earnings per share to grow faster than its revenue
Maximus’s stock price of $98.90 implies a valuation ratio of 12x forward P/E. Is now the right time to buy? See for yourself in our comprehensive research report, it’s free.
Stocks We Like Even More
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-micro-cap company Tecnoglass (+1,754% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.
