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 pass on and some alternatives you should look into instead.
Oxford Industries (OXM)
Share Price: $39.69
The parent company of Tommy Bahama, Oxford Industries (NYSE:OXM) is a lifestyle fashion conglomerate with brands that embody outdoor happiness.
Why Do We Pass on OXM?
- Sales trends were unexciting over the last five years as its 11.6% annual growth was below the typical consumer discretionary company
- Waning returns on capital from an already weak starting point displays the inefficacy of management’s past and current investment decisions
- 6× net-debt-to-EBITDA ratio makes lenders less willing to extend additional capital, potentially necessitating dilutive equity offerings
Oxford Industries is trading at $39.69 per share, or 14.2x forward P/E. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why OXM doesn’t pass our bar.
Hayward (HAYW)
Share Price: $16.19
Credited with introducing the first variable-speed pool pump, Hayward (NYSE:HAYW) makes residential and commercial pool equipment and accessories.
Why Is HAYW Not Exciting?
- Sales stagnated over the last five years and signal the need for new growth strategies
- Efficiency has decreased over the last five years as its operating margin fell by 3.1 percentage points
- Earnings per share have contracted by 22.8% annually over the last five years, a headwind for returns as stock prices often echo long-term EPS performance
At $16.19 per share, Hayward trades at 17.6x forward P/E. If you’re considering HAYW for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.
NeoGenomics (NEO)
Share Price: $15.73
Operating a network of CAP-accredited and CLIA-certified laboratories across the United States and United Kingdom, NeoGenomics (NASDAQ:NEO) provides specialized cancer diagnostic testing services, including genetic analysis, molecular testing, and pathology consultation for oncologists and healthcare providers.
Why Does NEO Fall Short?
- Subscale operations are evident in its revenue base of $766.3 million, meaning it has fewer distribution channels than its larger rivals
- Push for growth has led to negative returns on capital, signaling value destruction
- High net-debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 6× could force the company to raise capital on unfavorable terms if market conditions deteriorate
NeoGenomics’s stock price of $15.73 implies a valuation ratio of 59.9x forward P/E. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than NEO.
Stocks We Like More
ONE MORE THING: Top 5 Growth Stocks. The biggest stock winners almost always had one thing in common before they ran. Revenue growing like crazy. Meta. CrowdStrike. Broadcom. Our AI flagged all three. They returned 315%, 314%, and 455%, respectively.
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Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,460% between June 2020 and June 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-small-cap company Comfort Systems (+1,154% between June 2020 and June 2025). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.