Wall Street’s bearish price targets for the stocks in this article signal serious concerns. Such forecasts are uncommon in an industry where maintaining cordial corporate relationships often trumps delivering the hard truth.
At StockStory, we look beyond the headlines with our independent analysis to determine whether these bearish calls are justified. That said, here is one stock poised to prove Wall Street wrong and two facing legitimate challenges.
Two Industrials Stocks to Sell:
Deere (DE)
Consensus Price Target: $644.21 (4.8% implied return)
Revolutionizing agriculture with the first self-polishing cast-steel plow in the 1800s, Deere (NYSE: DE) manufactures and distributes advanced agricultural, construction, forestry, and turf care equipment.
Why Do We Pass on DE?
- Customers postponed purchases of its products and services this cycle as its revenue declined by 10.1% annually over the last two years
- Earnings per share have dipped by 27.2% annually over the past two years, which is concerning because stock prices follow EPS over the long term
- Shrinking returns on capital suggest that increasing competition is eating into the company’s profitability
At $614.50 per share, Deere trades at 31.8x forward P/E. To fully understand why you should be careful with DE, check out our full research report (it’s free).
Heartland Express (HTLD)
Consensus Price Target: $12.40 (-20% implied return)
Founded by the son of a trucker, Heartland Express (NASDAQ: HTLD) offers full-truckload deliveries across the United States and Mexico.
Why Do We Avoid HTLD?
- Annual sales declines of 18.5% for the past two years show its products and services struggled to connect with the market during this cycle
- Earnings per share fell by 19.4% annually over the last five years while its revenue grew, showing its incremental sales were much less profitable
- Shrinking returns on capital from an already weak position reveal that neither previous nor ongoing investments are yielding the desired results
Heartland Express’s stock price of $15.50 implies a valuation ratio of 161.7x forward P/E. If you’re considering HTLD for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.
One Industrials Stock to Watch:
Standex (SXI)
Consensus Price Target: $290.80 (-15.6% implied return)
Holding over 500 patents globally, Standex (NYSE: SXI) is a manufacturer and distributor of industrial components for various sectors.
Why Does SXI Catch Our Eye?
- Annual revenue growth of 10.2% over the last two years beat the sector average and underscores the unique value of its offerings
- Healthy operating margin of 15.2% shows it’s a well-run company with efficient processes, and its operating leverage amplified its profits over the last five years
- Performance over the past five years was turbocharged by share buybacks, which enabled its earnings per share to grow faster than its revenue
Standex is trading at $344.50 per share, or 35.7x forward P/E. Is now a good time to buy? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.
Stocks We Like Even More
ALSO WORTH WATCHING: Top 5 Momentum Stocks. The best time to own a great stock is when the market is finally noticing it. These aren’t just high-quality businesses. Something is happening with them right now. Elite fundamentals meet near-term momentum — both boxes checked at the same time.
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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 Exlservice (+354% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.
