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A company with profits isn’t always a great investment. Some struggle to maintain growth, face looming threats, or fail to reinvest wisely, limiting their future potential.

Not all profitable companies are created equal, and that’s why we built StockStory - to help you find the ones that truly shine bright. Keeping that in mind, here are three profitable companies to steer clear of and a few better alternatives.

Paychex (PAYX)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 41.5%

One of the oldest service providers in the industry, Paychex (NASDAQ:PAYX) offers its customers payroll and HR software solutions.

Why Are We Hesitant About PAYX?

1. Muted 6.6% annual revenue growth over the last three years shows its demand lagged behind its software peers

2. Projected sales growth of 6.8% for the next 12 months suggests sluggish demand

Paychex’s stock price of $152 implies a valuation ratio of 9.4x forward price-to-sales. To fully understand why you should be careful with PAYX, check out our full research report (it’s free).

Ryder (R)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 8.5%

As one of the first companies to introduce the idea of leasing trucks, Ryder (NYSE:R) provides rental vehicles to businesses and delivers packages directly to homes or businesses.

Why Are We Out on R?

1. Annual sales growth of 2.3% over the last two years lagged behind its industrials peers as its large revenue base made it difficult to generate incremental demand

2. Earnings per share have dipped by 11% annually over the past two years, which is concerning because stock prices follow EPS over the long term

3. Free cash flow margin dropped by 14.1 percentage points over the last five years, implying the company became more capital intensive as competition picked up

Ryder is trading at $159.81 per share, or 11.9x forward P/E. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why R doesn’t pass our bar.

MSC Industrial (MSM)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 8.9%

Founded in NYC’s Little Italy, MSC Industrial Direct (NYSE:MSM) provides industrial supplies and equipment, offering vast and reliable selection for customers such as contractors

Why Do We Pass on MSM?

1. Organic revenue growth fell short of our benchmarks over the past two years and implies it may need to improve its products, pricing, or go-to-market strategy

2. Demand will likely be weak over the next 12 months as Wall Street expects flat revenue

3. Performance over the past five years shows its incremental sales were much less profitable, as its earnings per share fell by 4.5% annually

At $79.03 per share, MSC Industrial trades at 20.5x forward P/E. If you’re considering MSM for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.