While strong cash flow is a key indicator of stability, it doesn’t always translate to superior returns. Some cash-heavy businesses struggle with inefficient spending, slowing demand, or weak competitive positioning.
Luckily for you, we built StockStory to help you separate the good from the bad. That said, here is one cash-producing company that reinvests wisely to drive long-term success and two best left off your watchlist.
Two Stocks to Sell:
Simpson (SSD)
Trailing 12-Month Free Cash Flow Margin: 10.3%
Aiming to build safer and stronger buildings, Simpson (NYSE: SSD) designs and manufactures structural connectors, anchors, and other construction products.
Why Are We Wary of SSD?
- Sales trends were unexciting over the last two years as its 2.8% annual growth was below the typical industrials company
- Earnings per share fell by 2.8% annually over the last two years while its revenue grew, showing its incremental sales were much less profitable
- Shrinking returns on capital suggest that increasing competition is eating into the company’s profitability
Simpson’s stock price of $178.99 implies a valuation ratio of 21.3x forward P/E. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than SSD.
Generac (GNRC)
Trailing 12-Month Free Cash Flow Margin: 9.7%
With its name deriving from a combination of “generating” and “AC”, Generac (NYSE: GNRC) offers generators and other power products for residential, industrial, and commercial use.
Why Does GNRC Worry Us?
- Muted 4.2% annual revenue growth over the last two years shows its demand lagged behind its industrials peers
- Efficiency has decreased over the last five years as its operating margin fell by 9.5 percentage points
- Diminishing returns on capital suggest its earlier profit pools are drying up
At $171.71 per share, Generac trades at 22.9x forward P/E. To fully understand why you should be careful with GNRC, check out our full research report (it’s free).
One Stock to Buy:
Napco (NSSC)
Trailing 12-Month Free Cash Flow Margin: 27.9%
Protecting everything from schools to government facilities since 1969, Napco Security Technologies (NASDAQ: NSSC) manufactures electronic security devices, access control systems, and communication services for intrusion and fire alarm systems.
Why Is NSSC a Top Pick?
- Impressive 14% annual revenue growth over the last five years indicates it’s winning market share this cycle
- Strong free cash flow margin of 19.3% enables it to reinvest or return capital consistently, and its rising cash conversion increases its margin of safety
- Rising returns on capital show management is finding more attractive investment opportunities
Napco is trading at $38.88 per share, or 24.3x forward P/E. Is now a good time to buy? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.
High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions
Your portfolio can’t afford to be based on yesterday’s story. The risk in a handful of heavily crowded stocks is rising daily.
The names generating the next wave of massive growth are right here in 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-small-cap company Comfort Systems (+782% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.
