Stability is great, but low-volatility stocks may struggle to deliver market-beating returns over time as they sometimes underperform during bull markets.
Luckily for you, StockStory helps you navigate which companies are truly worth holding. That said, here are three low-volatility stocks that don’t make the cut and some better opportunities instead.
WD-40 (WDFC)
Rolling One-Year Beta: -0.01
Short for “Water Displacement perfected on the 40th try”, WD-40 (NASDAQ:WDFC) is a renowned American consumer goods company known for its iconic and versatile spray, WD-40 Multi-Use Product.
Why Are We Wary of WDFC?
- Sales trends were unexciting over the last three years as its 6.1% annual growth was below the typical consumer staples company
- Revenue base of $620 million puts it at a disadvantage compared to larger competitors exhibiting economies of scale
- Estimated sales growth of 4.1% for the next 12 months implies demand will slow from its three-year trend
WD-40’s stock price of $200.90 implies a valuation ratio of 31.8x forward P/E. To fully understand why you should be careful with WDFC, check out our full research report (it’s free for active Edge members).
Dole (DOLE)
Rolling One-Year Beta: 0.32
Known for its delicious pineapples and Hawaiian roots, Dole (NYSE:DOLE) is a global agricultural company specializing in fresh fruits and vegetables.
Why Do We Avoid DOLE?
- Sales were flat over the last three years, indicating it’s failed to expand its business
- Gross margin of 8.2% is an output of its commoditized products
- Responsiveness to unforeseen market trends is restricted due to its substandard operating margin profitability
Dole is trading at $15.12 per share, or 10.6x forward P/E. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why DOLE doesn’t pass our bar.
Otis (OTIS)
Rolling One-Year Beta: 0.51
Credited with inventing the first hydraulic passenger elevator, Otis Worldwide (NYSE:OTIS) is an elevator and escalator manufacturing, installation and service company.
Why Is OTIS Not Exciting?
- Core business is underperforming as its organic revenue has disappointed over the past two years, suggesting it might need acquisitions to stimulate growth
- Estimated sales growth of 4.8% for the next 12 months is soft and implies weaker demand
- Free cash flow margin shrank by 2.1 percentage points over the last five years, suggesting the company is consuming more capital to stay competitive
At $87.82 per share, Otis trades at 20.4x forward P/E. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including OTIS in your portfolio.
High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions
If your portfolio success hinges on just 4 stocks, your wealth is built on fragile ground. You have a small window to secure high-quality assets before the market widens and these prices disappear.
Don’t wait for the next volatility shock. Check out 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-micro-cap company Tecnoglass (+1,754% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today for free. Find your next big winner with StockStory today. Find your next big winner with StockStory today
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