The low valuation multiples for value stocks provide a margin of safety that growth stocks rarely offer. However, the challenge lies in determining whether these cheap assets are genuinely undervalued or simply on sale due to their potentially deteriorating business models.
Identifying genuine bargains from value traps is something many investors struggle with, which is why we started StockStory - to help you find the best companies. That said, here are three value stocks with poor fundamentals and some alternatives you should consider instead.
Sabre (SABR)
Forward P/E Ratio: 10.3x
Originally a division of American Airlines, Sabre (NASDAQ:SABR) is a technology provider for the global travel and tourism industry.
Why Should You Dump SABR?
- Number of central reservation system transactions has disappointed over the past two years, indicating weak demand for its offerings
- Cash-burning history makes us doubt the long-term viability of its business model
- High net-debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 7× increases the risk of forced asset sales or dilutive financing if operational performance weakens
Sabre’s stock price of $1.61 implies a valuation ratio of 10.3x forward P/E. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including SABR in your portfolio.
Timken (TKR)
Forward P/E Ratio: 14.2x
Established after the founder noticed the difficulty freight wagons had making sharp turns, Timken (NYSE:TKR) is a provider of industrial parts used across various sectors.
Why Should You Sell TKR?
- Absence of organic revenue growth over the past two years suggests it may have to lean into acquisitions to drive its expansion
- Estimated sales growth of 2.7% for the next 12 months is soft and implies weaker demand
- Falling earnings per share over the last two years has some investors worried as stock prices ultimately follow EPS over the long term
Timken is trading at $81.42 per share, or 14.2x forward P/E. To fully understand why you should be careful with TKR, check out our full research report (it’s free for active Edge members).
Hillenbrand (HI)
Forward P/E Ratio: 12.3x
Hillenbrand, Inc. (NYSE: HI) is an industrial company that designs, manufactures, and sells highly engineered processing equipment and solutions for various industries.
Why Do We Avoid HI?
- Customers postponed purchases of its products and services this cycle as its revenue declined by 2.7% annually over the last two years
- Earnings per share were flat over the last five years while its revenue grew, showing its incremental sales were less profitable
- Free cash flow margin dropped by 16.4 percentage points over the last five years, implying the company became more capital intensive as competition picked up
At $31.84 per share, Hillenbrand trades at 12.3x forward P/E. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why HI doesn’t pass our bar.
Stocks We Like More
If your portfolio success hinges on just 4 stocks, your wealth is built on fragile ground. You have a small window to secure high-quality assets before the market widens and these prices disappear.
Don’t wait for the next volatility shock. Check 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 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
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