Cash-generating companies often have the flexibility to invest, return capital to shareholders, or navigate downturns. The best of these businesses not only accumulate cash but deploy it strategically for growth.

Not all companies are created equal, and StockStory is here to surface the ones with real upside. Keeping that in mind, here are three cash-producing companies that excel at turning cash into shareholder value.

EXL (EXLS)

Trailing 12-Month Free Cash Flow Margin: 12.3%

Originally founded as an outsourcing company in 1999 before evolving into a technology-focused enterprise, EXL (NASDAQ: EXLS) provides data analytics and AI-powered digital operations solutions that help businesses transform their operations and make better decisions.

Why Will EXLS Outperform?

1. Annual revenue growth of 16.9% over the past five years was outstanding, reflecting market share gains this cycle
2. Notable projected revenue growth of 14.3% for the next 12 months hints at market share gains
3. Share buybacks catapulted its annual earnings per share growth to 19%, which outperformed its revenue gains over the last five years

EXL’s stock price of $37.10 implies a valuation ratio of 14.4x forward P/E. Is now the time to initiate a position? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.

NetApp (NTAP)

Trailing 12-Month Free Cash Flow Margin: 22.3%

Founded in 1992 as a pioneer in networked storage technology, NetApp (NASDAQ: NTAP) provides data storage and management solutions that help organizations store, protect, and optimize their data across on-premises data centers and public clouds.

Why Is NTAP a Top Pick?

1. Billings growth has averaged 10.4% over the past two years, indicating a healthy pipeline of new contracts that should drive future revenue increases
2. Share repurchases have amplified shareholder returns as its annual earnings per share growth of 15.5% exceeded its revenue gains over the last five years
3. Robust free cash flow margin of 20.6% gives it many options for capital deployment, and its rising cash conversion increases its margin of safety

NetApp is trading at $215.61 per share, or 21.2x forward P/E. Is now a good time to buy? See for yourself in our comprehensive research report, it’s free.

Nasdaq (NDAQ)

Trailing 12-Month Free Cash Flow Margin: 34.8%

Originally founded in 1971 as the world's first electronic stock market, Nasdaq (NASDAQ: NDAQ) operates global exchanges and provides technology, data, and corporate services that help companies, investors, and financial institutions navigate capital markets.

Why Is NDAQ Interesting?

1. 13.8% annual revenue growth over the last two years surpassed the sector average as its products resonated with customers
2. Performance over the past two years was boosted by share buybacks, which enabled its earnings per share to grow faster than its revenue
3. ROE punches in at 15.4%, illustrating management’s expertise in identifying profitable investments

At $91.28 per share, Nasdaq trades at 21x forward P/E. Is now the right time to buy? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.

Stocks We Like Even More

WHILE YOU’RE HERE: Top 9 Market-Beating Stocks. The best stocks don’t just beat the market once. They do it again. And again. Robust revenue growth, rising free cash flow, returns on capital that leave their competition in the dust. The market has already rewarded these businesses.

But our AI platform says the party isn’t over. Find out which 9 stocks made the cut this week — FREE. Get Our Top 9 Market-Beating Stocks for Free HERE.

Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,460% between June 2020 and June 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-micro-cap company Tecnoglass (+1,552% between June 2020 and June 2025). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.