The low valuation multiples for value stocks provide a margin of safety that growth stocks rarely offer. However, the challenge lies in determining whether these cheap assets are genuinely undervalued or simply on sale due to their potentially deteriorating business models.

Identifying genuine bargains from value traps is something many investors struggle with, which is why we started StockStory - to help you find the best companies. That said, here is one value stock offering a compelling risk-reward profile and two climbing an uphill battle.

Two Value Stocks to Sell:

Micron (MU)

Forward P/E Ratio: 8.9x

Founded in the basement of a Boise, Idaho dental office in 1978, Micron (NYSE:MU) is a leading provider of memory chips used in thousands of devices across mobile, data centers, industrial, consumer, and automotive markets.

Why Do We Think Twice About MU?

1. Annual sales growth of 3.5% over the last two years lagged behind its semiconductor peers as its large revenue base made it difficult to generate incremental demand
2. Competitive supply chain dynamics and steep production costs are reflected in its low gross margin of 14.7%
3. Cash-burning tendencies make us wonder if it can sustainably generate shareholder value

At $93 per share, Micron trades at 8.9x forward price-to-earnings. To fully understand why you should be careful with MU, check out our full research report (it’s free).

Fortune Brands (FBIN)

Forward P/E Ratio: 13.6x

Targeting a wide customer base of residential and commercial customers, Fortune Brands (NYSE:FBIN) makes plumbing, security, and outdoor living products.

Why Are We Out on FBIN?

1. 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
2. Sales were less profitable over the last two years as its earnings per share fell by 15.2% annually, worse than its revenue declines
3. Capital intensity has ramped up over the last five years as its free cash flow margin decreased by 8.4 percentage points

Fortune Brands’s stock price of $61.19 implies a valuation ratio of 13.6x forward price-to-earnings. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including FBIN in your portfolio, it’s free.

One Value Stock to Watch:

Qualcomm (QCOM)

Forward P/E Ratio: 13.4x

Having been at the forefront of developing the standards for cellular connectivity for over four decades, Qualcomm (NASDAQ:QCOM) is a leading innovator and a fabless manufacturer of wireless technology chips used in smartphones, autos and internet of things appliances.

Why Do We Like QCOM?

1. Healthy operating margin of 24.6% shows it’s a well-run company with efficient processes
2. Strong free cash flow margin of 29.4% enables it to reinvest or return capital consistently, and its improved cash conversion implies it’s becoming a less capital-intensive business
3. Industry-leading 52.5% return on capital demonstrates management’s skill in finding high-return investments

Qualcomm is trading at $155.76 per share, or 13.4x forward price-to-earnings. Is now a good time to buy? See for yourself in our comprehensive research report, it’s free.

Stocks We Like Even More

Put yourself in the driver’s seat by checking out our Top 5 Strong Momentum Stocks for this week. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 175% over the last five years.

Stocks that made our list in 2019 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+2,183% between December 2019 and December 2024) as well as under-the-radar businesses like Comfort Systems (+751% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today for free.