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.
Choosing the wrong investments can cause you to fall behind, which is why we started StockStory - to separate the winners from the losers. Keeping that in mind, here is one low-volatility stock that could succeed under all market conditions and two stuck in limbo.
Two Stocks to Sell:
Moog (MOG.A)
Rolling One-Year Beta: 0.78
Responsible for the flight control actuation system integrated in the B-2 stealth bomber, Moog (NYSE: MOG.A) provides precision motion control solutions used in aerospace and defense applications
Why Is MOG.A Not Exciting?
- 4.9% annual revenue growth over the last five years was slower than its industrials peers
- Free cash flow margin dropped by 6.6 percentage points over the last five years, implying the company became more capital intensive as competition picked up
- ROIC of 8% reflects management’s challenges in identifying attractive investment opportunities
At $251.04 per share, Moog trades at 26.5x forward P/E. If you’re considering MOG.A for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.
Waters Corporation (WAT)
Rolling One-Year Beta: 0.66
Founded in 1958 and pioneering innovations in laboratory analysis for over six decades, Waters (NYSE: WAT) develops and manufactures analytical instruments, software, and consumables for liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, and thermal analysis used in scientific research and quality testing.
Why Does WAT Worry Us?
- Sales trends were unexciting over the last two years as its 1.8% annual growth was below the typical healthcare company
- Core business is underperforming as its organic revenue has disappointed over the past two years, suggesting it might need acquisitions to stimulate growth
- Eroding returns on capital suggest its historical profit centers are aging
Waters Corporation’s stock price of $383.25 implies a valuation ratio of 27.7x forward P/E. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than WAT.
One Stock to Buy:
Humana (HUM)
Rolling One-Year Beta: 0.81
With over 80% of its revenue derived from federal government contracts, Humana (NYSE: HUM) provides health insurance plans and healthcare services to approximately 17 million members, with a strong focus on Medicare Advantage plans for seniors.
Why Is HUM a Top Pick?
- Offerings and unique value proposition resonate with customers, as seen in its above-market 12.8% annual sales growth over the last two years
- Dominant market position is represented by its $126.3 billion in revenue, which gives it negotiating power over membership pricing and reimbursement rates
- Stellar returns on capital showcase management’s ability to surface highly profitable business ventures
Humana is trading at $256.95 per share, or 19.1x forward P/E. Is now the time to initiate a position? Find out in our full research report, it’s free for active Edge members.
High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions
Your portfolio can’t afford to be based on yesterday’s story. The risk in a handful of heavily crowded stocks is rising daily.
The names generating the next wave of massive growth are right here 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 Kadant (+351% 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.
