Low-volatility stocks may offer stability, but that often comes at the cost of slower growth and the upside potential of more dynamic companies.
Finding the right balance between safety and returns isn’t easy, which is why StockStory is here to help. That said, here are two low-volatility stocks that could offer consistent gains and one stuck in limbo.
One Stock to Sell:
Landstar (LSTR)
Rolling One-Year Beta: 0.67
Covering billions of miles throughout North America, Landstar (NASDAQ: LSTR) is a transportation company specializing in freight and last-mile delivery services.
Why Should You Sell LSTR?
- Annual sales declines of 16.5% for the past two years show its products and services struggled to connect with the market during this cycle
- Flat earnings per share over the last five years underperformed the sector average
- Shrinking returns on capital suggest that increasing competition is eating into the company’s profitability
Landstar is trading at $137.39 per share, or 23.5x forward P/E. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including LSTR in your portfolio.
Two Stocks to Watch:
Trustmark (TRMK)
Rolling One-Year Beta: 0.92
Tracing its roots back to 1889 in Mississippi, Trustmark (NASDAQ: TRMK) is a financial services organization providing banking, wealth management, insurance, and mortgage services across five southeastern states.
Why Are We Fans of TRMK?
- Loans resonate with borrowers, evidenced by its respectable 9.2% annualized net interest income growth over the last four years
- Earnings per share grew by 9.5% annually over the last two years, massively outpacing its peers
- Impressive 20.2% annual tangible book value per share growth over the last two years indicates it’s building equity value this cycle
At $36.43 per share, Trustmark trades at 1x forward P/B. Is now the time to initiate a position? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.
Enterprise Financial Services (EFSC)
Rolling One-Year Beta: 0.80
Starting as a single bank in Missouri in 1988 and expanding through strategic growth, Enterprise Financial Services (NASDAQ: EFSC) is a financial holding company that offers banking, lending, and wealth management services to businesses and individuals across seven states.
Why Do We Like EFSC?
- Impressive 16.6% annual revenue growth over the last five years indicates it’s winning market share this cycle
- Impressive 19.3% annual net interest income growth over the last four years indicates it’s winning market share this cycle
- Balance sheet strength has increased this cycle as its 10.5% annual tangible book value per share growth over the last five years was exceptional
Enterprise Financial Services’s stock price of $55.78 implies a valuation ratio of 1.1x forward P/B. Is now a good time to buy? See for yourself in our comprehensive research report, it’s free.
High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions
The market surged in 2024 and reached record highs after Donald Trump’s presidential victory in November, but questions about new economic policies are adding much uncertainty for 2025.
While the crowd speculates what might happen next, we’re homing in on the companies that can succeed regardless of the political or macroeconomic environment. Put yourself in the driver’s seat and build a durable portfolio by checking out our Top 6 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
