Not all profitable companies are built to last - some rely on outdated models or unsustainable advantages. Just because a business is in the green today doesn’t mean it will thrive tomorrow.

Profits are valuable, but they’re not everything. At StockStory, we help you identify the companies that have real staying power. That said, here is one profitable company that leverages its financial strength to beat the competition and two that may struggle to keep up.

Two Stocks to Sell:

Latham (SWIM)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 3.9%

Started as a family business, Latham (NASDAQ: SWIM) is a global designer and manufacturer of in-ground residential swimming pools and related products.

Why Do We Think Twice About SWIM?

1. Products and services aren't resonating with the market as its revenue declined by 7.7% annually over the last two years
2. Capital intensity will likely increase as its free cash flow margin is anticipated to drop by 1.7 percentage points over the next year
3. Below-average returns on capital indicate management struggled to find compelling investment opportunities

Latham is trading at $8.06 per share, or 58.8x forward P/E. To fully understand why you should be careful with SWIM, check out our full research report (it’s free).

Rockwell Automation (ROK)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 15.5%

One of the first companies to address industrial automation, Rockwell Automation (NYSE: ROK) sells products that help customers extract more efficiency from their machinery.

Why Should You Sell ROK?

1. Absence of organic revenue growth over the past two years suggests it may have to lean into acquisitions to drive its expansion
2. Earnings per share decreased by more than its revenue over the last two years, showing each sale was less profitable
3. Waning returns on capital imply its previous profit engines are losing steam

Rockwell Automation’s stock price of $351.30 implies a valuation ratio of 30.9x forward P/E. If you’re considering ROK for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.

One Stock to Watch:

AeroVironment (AVAV)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 5%

Focused on the future of autonomous military combat, AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV) specializes in advanced unmanned aircraft systems and electric vehicle charging solutions.

Why Should AVAV Be on Your Watchlist?

1. Annual revenue growth of 23.2% over the last two years was superb and indicates its market share increased during this cycle
2. Projected revenue growth of 143% for the next 12 months is above its two-year trend, pointing to accelerating demand
3. Earnings growth has trumped its peers over the last two years as its EPS has compounded at 63.4% annually

At $239.72 per share, AeroVironment trades at 62x forward P/E. Is now the time to initiate a position? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.

Stocks We Like Even More

Donald Trump’s April 2025 "Liberation Day" tariffs sent markets into a tailspin, but stocks have since rebounded strongly, proving that knee-jerk reactions often create the best buying opportunities.

The smart money is already positioning for the next leg up. Don’t miss out on the recovery - check out 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 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-small-cap company Comfort Systems (+782% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today for free. Find your next big winner with StockStory today. Find your next big winner with StockStory today

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