The stocks in this article are all trading near their 52-week highs. This strength often reflects positive developments such as new product launches, favorable industry trends, or improved financial performance.

While momentum can be a leading indicator, it has burned many investors as it doesn’t always correlate with long-term success. On that note, here are three stocks getting more buzz than they deserve and some you should buy instead.

Pediatrix Medical Group (MD)

One-Month Return: +11.1%

With a network of approximately 2,620 affiliated physicians caring for some of the most vulnerable patients, Pediatrix Medical Group (NYSE: MD) provides specialized physician services focused on neonatal, maternal-fetal, pediatric cardiology and other pediatric subspecialty care across 37 states.

Why Do We Think Twice About MD?

1. Sales tumbled by 1.7% annually over the last two years, showing market trends are working against it during this cycle
2. Estimated sales for the next 12 months are flat and imply a softer demand environment
3. Eroding returns on capital from an already low base indicate that management’s recent investments are destroying value

Pediatrix Medical Group is trading at $23.61 per share, or 10.4x forward P/E. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including MD in your portfolio.

S&T Bancorp (STBA)

One-Month Return: +4.4%

Tracing its roots back to 1902 in western Pennsylvania's industrial heartland, S&T Bancorp (NASDAQ: STBA) is a Pennsylvania-based bank holding company that provides retail and commercial banking services, cash management, trust services, and investment advisory solutions.

Why Does STBA Fall Short?

1. Muted 4.9% annual net interest income growth over the last five years shows its demand lagged behind its banking peers
2. Demand will likely be soft over the next 12 months as Wall Street’s estimates imply tepid growth of 3.8%
3. Flat earnings per share over the last two years underperformed the sector average

At $46.84 per share, S&T Bancorp trades at 1.1x forward P/B. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than STBA.

QCR Holdings (QCRH)

One-Month Return: +4.5%

With roots dating back to 1993 and a name reflecting its original Quad Cities market, QCR Holdings (NASDAQGM:QCRH) operates four community banks across Iowa and Missouri, providing commercial, consumer banking, and trust services to businesses and individuals.

Why Is QCRH Not Exciting?

1. 8.9% annual net interest income growth over the last five years was slower than its banking peers
2. Estimated net interest income growth of 4.9% for the next 12 months implies demand will slow from its five-year trend
3. Operational productivity has decreased over the last five years as its efficiency ratio worsened by 6.3 percentage points

QCR Holdings’s stock price of $94.96 implies a valuation ratio of 1.3x forward P/B. If you’re considering QCRH for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.

Stocks We Like More

ONE MORE THING: Top 5 Growth Stocks. The biggest stock winners almost always had one thing in common before they ran. Revenue growing like crazy. Meta. CrowdStrike. Broadcom. Our AI flagged all three. They returned 315%, 314%, and 455%, respectively.

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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.