Stocks under $10 pique our interest because they have room to grow (as well as the most affordable option contract premiums). That doesn’t mean they’re bargains though, and we urge investors to be careful as many have risky business models.
The bad behavior exhibited by lower-quality companies in this space can spook even the most seasoned professionals, which is why we started StockStory - to separate the good from the bad. That said, here are three stocks under $10 to avoid and some other investments you should consider instead.
ThredUp (TDUP)
Share Price: $2.77
Founded to revolutionize thrifting, ThredUp (NASDAQ: TDUP) is a leading online fashion resale marketplace offering a wide selection of gently-used clothing and accessories.
Why Are We Out on TDUP?
- Performance surrounding its orders has lagged its peers
- Persistent operating margin losses suggest the business manages its expenses poorly
- Free cash flow margin is expected to remain in place over the coming year
ThredUp is trading at $2.77 per share, or 22.3x forward EV-to-EBITDA. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why TDUP doesn’t pass our bar.
Hain Celestial (HAIN)
Share Price: $0.68
Sold in over 75 countries around the world, Hain Celestial (NASDAQ: HAIN) is a natural and organic food company whose products range from snacks to teas to baby food.
Why Are We Bearish on HAIN?
- Organic revenue growth fell short of our benchmarks over the past two years and implies it may need to improve its products, pricing, or go-to-market strategy
- Earnings per share decreased by more than its revenue over the last three years, showing each sale was less profitable
- 6× net-debt-to-EBITDA ratio makes lenders less willing to extend additional capital, potentially necessitating dilutive equity offerings
At $0.68 per share, Hain Celestial trades at 11.4x forward P/E. To fully understand why you should be careful with HAIN, check out our full research report (it’s free).
Energy Recovery (ERII)
Share Price: $7.74
Having saved far more than a trillion gallons of water, Energy Recovery (NASDAQ: ERII) provides energy recovery devices to the water treatment, oil and gas, and chemical processing sectors.
Why Do We Think Twice About ERII?
- Customers postponed purchases of its products and services this cycle as its revenue declined by 5% annually over the last two years
- Sales are expected to decline once again over the next 12 months as it continues working through a challenging demand environment
- Flat earnings per share over the last two years underperformed the sector average
Energy Recovery’s stock price of $7.74 implies a valuation ratio of 36.8x forward P/E. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than ERII.
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 is 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% between October 2022 and February 2026. AppLovin before it ran 753% between February 2024 and February 2026. Nvidia before it ran 1,178% between January 2023 and February 2026. 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 (+1,460% between June 2020 and June 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-small-cap company Exlservice (+271% between June 2020 and June 2025). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.
