Low-volatility stocks may offer stability, but that often comes at the cost of slower growth and the upside potential of more dynamic companies.
Choosing the wrong investments can cause you to fall behind, which is why we started StockStory - to separate the winners from the losers. That said, here is one low-volatility stock that could offer consistent gains and two that may not deliver the returns you need.
Two Stocks to Sell:
Boyd Gaming (BYD)
Rolling One-Year Beta: 0.85
Run by the Boyd family, Boyd Gaming (NYSE: BYD) is a diversified operator of gaming entertainment properties across the United States, offering casino games, hotel accommodations, and dining.
Why Do We Pass on BYD?
- 13.4% annual revenue growth over the last five years was slower than its consumer discretionary peers
- Free cash flow margin is projected to show no improvement next year
- Eroding returns on capital from an already low base indicate that management’s recent investments are destroying value
Boyd Gaming is trading at $82.01 per share, or 11.1x forward P/E. If you’re considering BYD for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.
PacBio (PACB)
Rolling One-Year Beta: 1.11
Pioneering what scientists call "HiFi long-read sequencing," recognized as Nature Methods' method of the year for 2022, Pacific Biosciences (NASDAQ: PACB) develops advanced DNA sequencing systems that enable scientists and researchers to analyze genomes with unprecedented accuracy and completeness.
Why Is PACB Not Exciting?
- Customers postponed purchases of its products and services this cycle as its revenue declined by 10.7% annually over the last two years
- Cash-burning tendencies make us wonder if it can sustainably generate shareholder value
- EBITDA losses may force it to accept punitive lending terms or high-cost debt
At $1.72 per share, PacBio trades at 3.2x forward price-to-sales. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why PACB doesn’t pass our bar.
One Stock to Buy:
ADP (ADP)
Rolling One-Year Beta: 0.55
Processing one out of every six paychecks in the United States, ADP (NASDAQ: ADP) provides cloud-based human capital management solutions that help businesses manage payroll, benefits, talent acquisition, and HR administration.
Why Will ADP Outperform?
- Offerings and unique value proposition resonate with customers, as seen in its above-market 7.8% annual sales growth over the last five years
- Impressive free cash flow profitability enables the company to fund new investments or reward investors with share buybacks/dividends, and its growing cash flow gives it even more resources to deploy
- Returns on capital are climbing as management makes more lucrative bets
ADP’s stock price of $212.55 implies a valuation ratio of 18.2x 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
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 9 Market-Beating Stocks. 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 Exlservice (+354% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.
