Stocks in the $10-50 range offer a sweet spot between affordability and stability as they’re typically more established than penny stocks. But their headline prices don’t guarantee quality, and investors should exercise caution as some have shaky business models.
These dynamics can cause headaches for even the most seasoned professionals, which is why we started StockStory - to help you separate the good companies from the bad. Keeping that in mind, here is one stock under $50 that could 10x and two that may have trouble.
Two Stocks Under $50 to Sell:
Old Republic International (ORI)
Share Price: $40.86
Founded during the Roaring Twenties in 1923 and weathering nearly a century of economic cycles, Old Republic International (NYSE: ORI) is a diversified insurance holding company that provides property, liability, title, and mortgage guaranty insurance through its various subsidiaries.
Why Are We Hesitant About ORI?
- Net premiums earned expanded by 4.2% annually over the last five years, falling below our expectations for the insurance sector
- Earnings per share lagged its peers over the last two years as they only grew by 9.4% annually
- Capital trends were unexciting over the last two years as its 1.9% annual book value per share growth was below the typical insurance firm
Old Republic International is trading at $40.86 per share, or 1.7x forward P/B. If you’re considering ORI for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.
Employers Holdings (EIG)
Share Price: $41.79
With roots in Nevada and a strong concentration in California where 45% of its premiums are generated, Employers Holdings (NYSE: EIG) is a specialty provider of workers' compensation insurance focused on small and select businesses engaged in low-to-medium hazard industries across the United States.
Why Should You Sell EIG?
- Net premiums earned expanded by 2.7% annually over the last two years, falling below our expectations for the insurance sector
- Costs have risen faster than its revenue over the last five years, causing its pre-tax profit margin to decline by 19.4 percentage points
- Incremental sales over the last five years were much less profitable as its earnings per share fell by 21.9% annually while its revenue grew
Employers Holdings’s stock price of $41.79 implies a valuation ratio of 0.9x forward P/B. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including EIG in your portfolio.
One Stock Under $50 to Buy:
SM Energy (SM)
Share Price: $28.36
Operating across three key regions with over 328,000 net acres under its control, SM Energy (NYSE: SM) explores for, develops, and produces oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids primarily from shale formations in Texas and Utah.
Why Is SM a Good Business?
- Market share has increased this cycle as its 22.9% annual revenue growth over the last five years was exceptional
- Attractive asset base leads to wonderful unit economics and a best-in-class gross margin of 88.3%
- SM is a free cash flow machine with the flexibility to invest in growth initiatives or return capital to shareholders
At $28.36 per share, SM Energy trades at 4.5x forward P/E. Is now the time to initiate a position? See for yourself in our comprehensive research report, it’s free.
High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions
ONE MORE THING: Top 6 Stocks for This Week. This market is separating quality stocks from expensive ones fast. AI taking down whole sectors with no warning. In a rotation this fast, you need more than a list of good companies.
Our AI system flagged Palantir before it ran 1,662%. AppLovin before it ran 753%. Nvidia before it ran 1,178%. Each week it produces 6 new names that pass the same tests. Get Our Top 6 Stocks for Free HERE.
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 Exlservice (+354% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.
