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Small-cap stocks in the Russell 2000 (^RUT) can be a goldmine for investors looking beyond the usual large-cap names. But with less stability and fewer resources than their bigger counterparts, these companies face steeper challenges in scaling their businesses.

Navigating this part of the market can be tricky, which is why we built StockStory to help you separate the winners from the laggards. Keeping that in mind, here are three Russell 2000 stocks that don’t make the cut and some better choices instead.

Jamf (JAMF)

Market Cap: $1.34 billion

Founded in 2002 by Zach Halmstad and Chip Pearson, right around the time when Apple began to dominate the personal computing market, Jamf (NASDAQ:JAMF) provides software for companies to manage Apple devices such as Macs, iPads, and iPhones.

Why Are We Wary of JAMF?

1. Sales trends were unexciting over the last three years as its 17.7% annual growth was below the typical software company

2. Products, pricing, or go-to-market strategy may need some adjustments as its 8.9% average billings growth over the last year was weak

3. Historical operating losses point to an inefficient cost structure

At $10.05 per share, Jamf trades at 2x forward price-to-sales. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why JAMF doesn’t pass our bar.

Beyond Meat (BYND)

Market Cap: $217.9 million

A pioneer at the forefront of the plant-based protein revolution, Beyond Meat (NASDAQ:BYND) is a food company specializing in alternatives to traditional meat products.

Why Should You Sell BYND?

1. Shrinking unit sales over the past two years show it’s struggled to move its products and had to rely on price increases

2. Negative free cash flow raises questions about the return timeline for its investments

3. Limited cash reserves may force the company to seek unfavorable financing terms that could dilute shareholders

Beyond Meat’s stock price of $2.85 implies a valuation ratio of 0.7x forward price-to-sales. If you’re considering BYND for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.

Northwest Pipe (NWPX)

Market Cap: $393.5 million

Playing a large role in the Integrated Pipeline (IPL) project in Texas to deliver ~350 million gallons of water per day, Northwest Pipe (NASDAQ:NWPX) is a manufacturer of pipeline systems for water infrastructure.

Why Are We Cautious About NWPX?

1. Sales trends were unexciting over the last two years as its 5.2% annual growth was below the typical industrials company

2. Sales are projected to remain flat over the next 12 months as demand decelerates from its two-year trend

3. Falling earnings per share over the last two years has some investors worried as stock prices ultimately follow EPS over the long term