3 Cash-Burning Stocks That Concern Us
Just because a company is spending heavily doesn't mean it's on the right track, and StockStory is here to separate the winners from the losers. Keeping that in mind, here are three cash-burning companies that don't make the cut and some better opportunities instead.
Trailing 12-Month Free Cash Flow Margin: -2.2%
Known by many for its old cable television commercials, WeightWatchers (NASDAQ:WW) is a wellness company offering a range of products and services promoting weight loss and healthy habits.
Why Should You Sell WW?
Number of members has disappointed over the past two years, indicating weak demand for its offerings
Waning returns on capital from an already weak starting point displays the inefficacy of management's past and current investment decisions
Limited cash reserves may force the company to seek unfavorable financing terms that could dilute shareholders
At $0.66 per share, WeightWatchers trades at 0.5x forward EV-to-EBITDA. If you're considering WW for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.
Trailing 12-Month Free Cash Flow Margin: -1.9%
With approximately 5,000 locations across 49 U.S. states and 13 other countries, Driven Brands (NASDAQ:DRVN) operates a network of automotive service centers offering maintenance, car washes, paint, collision repair, and glass services across North America.
Why Are We Wary of DRVN?
Core business is underperforming as its organic revenue has disappointed over the past two years, suggesting it might need acquisitions to stimulate growth
Eroding returns on capital from an already low base indicate that management's recent investments are destroying value
Unfavorable liquidity position could lead to additional equity financing that dilutes shareholders
Driven Brands's stock price of $17.57 implies a valuation ratio of 13.5x forward P/E. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why DRVN doesn't pass our bar.
Trailing 12-Month Free Cash Flow Margin: -3.1%
Started with a $200 loan in 1880, Ball (NYSE:BLL) manufactures aluminum packaging for beverages, personal care, and household products as well as aerospace systems and other technologies.
Why Is BALL Risky?
Organic sales performance over the past two years indicates the company may need to make strategic adjustments or rely on M&A to catalyze faster growth
Demand will likely be soft over the next 12 months as Wall Street's estimates imply tepid growth of 2.9%
Free cash flow margin shrank by 5.8 percentage points over the last five years, suggesting the company is consuming more capital to stay competitive
Ball is trading at $51.22 per share, or 14.5x forward P/E. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than BALL.
Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election sent major indices to all-time highs, but stocks have retraced as investors debate the health of the economy and the potential impact of tariffs.
While this leaves much uncertainty around 2025, a few companies are poised for long-term gains regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate, like 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 United Rentals (+322% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today for free.
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New York Post
4 minutes ago
- New York Post
Stocks surge, euro steady after US-EU trade agreement
Global stocks rose and the euro appreciated on Monday after a trade agreement between the United States and the EU lifted sentiment and provided some clarity in a week of key policy meetings by the Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan. The US struck a framework trade agreement with the European Union, imposing a 15% import tariff on most EU goods – half the threatened rate, a week after agreeing to a similar trade deal with Japan. Countries are scrambling to finalise trade deals ahead of an August 1 deadline set by US President Donald Trump, with talks between the US and China set for Monday in Stockholm amid expectations of another 90-day extension to the truce between the world's top two economies. 3 President Donald Trump (R) shakes hands with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (L) following their meeting, in Turnberry, south west Scotland on July 27, 2025. AFP via Getty Images 'A 15% tariff on European goods, forced purchases of US energy and military equipment and zero tariff retaliation by Europe, that's not negotiation, that's the art of the deal,' said Prashant Newnaha, senior Asia-Pacific rates strategist at TD Securities. 'A big win for the US.' European futures surged more than 1%, while S&P 500 futures rose 0.5% and Nasdaq futures advanced 0.6%. The euro strengthened across the board, rising against the dollar, sterling and yen. 'We have to be a bit cautious from here,' said Sim Moh Siong, currency strategist at Bank of Singapore, of the broader risk-on rally. 'A lot of good news is already in the price.' MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was up 0.32%, just shy of the almost four-year high it touched last week. Japan's Nikkei fell 1% after hitting a one-year high last week. While the baseline 15% tariff will still be seen by many in Europe as too high, compared with Europe's initial hopes to secure a zero-for-zero tariff deal, it is better than the threatened 30% rate. 3 Currency traders work near a screen showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) and the foreign exchange rate between US dollar and South Korean won, right, at the foreign exchange dealing room of the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, July 28, 2025. AP The US-EU deal provides clarity to companies and averts a bigger trade war between the two allies that account for almost a third of global trade. 'A major tail-risk has now been defused,' said Marc Velan, head of investments at Lucerne Asset Management in Singapore. 'Markets are interpreting this as a sign of stability and predictability returning to trade policy,' he added. 'The China delay fits the same pattern: the administration is opting for controlled diplomacy over confrontation.' 3 The US struck a framework trade agreement with the European Union, imposing a 15% import tariff on most EU goods – half the threatened rate, a week after agreeing to a similar trade deal with Japan. AP Gains for China's blue-chip stocks petered out towards the midday break, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index gained 0.5%. The Australian dollar , often seen as a proxy for risk appetite, was at $0.657, hovering around the near eight-month peak scaled last week. FED, BOJ AWAIT In an action-packed week, investors will watch out for the monetary policy meetings from the Fed and the BOJ as well as the monthly US employment report and earnings from megacap companies Apple, Microsoft and Amazon. While the Fed and the BOJ are expected to maintain rates, comments from the officials will be crucial for investors to gauge the interest rate path. The trade deal with Japan has opened the door for the BOJ to raise rates again this year. Meanwhile, the Fed is likely to be cautious on any rate cuts as officials seek more data to determine tariffs' impact on inflation before they ease rates further. But tensions between the White House and the central bank over monetary policy have increased, with Trump repeatedly lashing out at Fed Chair Jerome Powell for not cutting rates. Two of the Fed Board's Trump appointees have articulated reasons for supporting a rate cut this month. In commodities, oil prices rose after the US-EU trade agreement. Brent crude futures and US West Texas Intermediate crude both rose 0.5%. Gold prices fell on Monday to their lowest in nearly two weeks on reduced appetite for safe havens.
CNBC
5 minutes ago
- CNBC
CNBC Daily Open: This week's the Olympics for market watchers
Choose a front-row seat and grab your popcorn. These five days will basically be the Olympics for market watchers: And looming over all those financial and macroeconomic events is U.S. President Donald Trump's August 1 deadline for his new tariffs. As Kim Forrest, founder at Bokeh Capital, said, "What isn't happening in this week?" Here's the ideal scenario for investors. The Magnificent Seven companies reporting earnings this week and the U.S. economy secure gold at their respective events. (The Fed is expected to keep rates unchanged — whether this qualifies the central bank for a medal is up for debate). Big trading partners of the U.S., such as South Korea and India, secure a deal with the White House and join the European Union and Japan at the podium, while Beijing extends its tariff suspension with Washington. If those events happen, U.S. stocks will probably have legs clear hurdle after hurdle — and the S&P 500 can continue topping record announces a trade agreement with the European Union. Most European goods, including cars, exported to the U.S. will face a 15% tariff, Trump said Sunday. The bloc also agreed to purchase $750 billion worth of U.S. energy, he added. Samsung inks a $16.5 billion contract with Tesla. While the South Korean firm didn't disclose the counterparty in its regulatory filing, Tesla CEO Elon Musk confirmed that it will manufacture the automaker's "next-generation AI6 chip." Perfect week for the S&P 500. The broad-based index rose Friday to close at a high — its fifth record in a row last week. The Nasdaq Composite and Dow Jones Industrial Average also advanced. Asia-Pacific shares were mixed Monday. The Fed is ready to start lowering rates, Trump said. On Friday, the U.S. president said Fed Chair Jerome Powell told him "the country is doing well," which Trump took to mean "he's going to start recommending lower rates." Futures markets disagree. [PRO] Winners of Hong Kong's crypto framework. The island's bill, which takes effect Friday, formalizes the process for financial companies to issue and manage stablecoins. Two online brokerages which offer crypto trading stand to benefit, analysts said. Trump's tariff deal offers scant relief for Japan automakers as bigger threat looms Japanese automakers may have sidestepped crushing U.S. tariffs, but the reprieve may offer little comfort. Their position in the global market is being eroded by Chinese automakers even as they face persistent structural challenges domestically. Still, analysts acknowledge that Trump's finalized tariff rate brings at least one benefit: some predictability.
25 minutes ago
Hong Kong's CK Hutchison seeks Chinese investor to join Panama Ports deal
HONG KONG -- A Hong Kong conglomerate that's selling ports at the Panama Canal said Monday it may seek a Chinese investor to join a consortium of buyers, a move that could please Beijing but bring more U.S. scrutiny to the geopolitically fraught deal. CK Hutchison Holdings' initial plan to sell port assets in dozens of countries to a group that includes U.S. investment firm BlackRock Inc. pleased President Donald Trump, who has alleged that China interferes with the critical shipping lane's operations in Panama. However, they apparently angered Beijing and drew a review from Chinese anti-monopoly authorities. A Beijing-backed newspaper posted scathing commentaries about the deal, with one describing it as a betrayal of all Chinese. Beijing's offices overseeing Hong Kong affairs have reposted some of these commentaries, widely seen as an indication of Chinese leaders' stance. A Hutchison subsidiary has operated ports at both ends of the Panama Canal since 1997. After months of uncertainty brought by tensions between Washington and Beijing, Hutchison said in a statement that the exclusive negotiations period with the consortium has expired. However, it added 'the Group remains in discussions with members of the consortium with a view to inviting major strategic investor from the PRC to join as a significant member of the consortium,' referring to the People's Republic of China. It said they needed to change the membership of the consortium and the structure of the transaction for the deal to be able to pass reviews by 'all relevant authorities." The awkward position Hutchison found itself in for months highlights the challenges Hong Kong business elites face in navigating Beijing's expectations of national loyalty, especially when relations between China and the United States are strained. Hong Kong has overhauled its electoral system to ensure the city is run by 'patriots.' CK Hutchison is owned by the family of Hong Kong's richest man, Li Ka-shing. It announced March 4 that it would sell all its shares in Hutchison Port Holdings and in Hutchison Port Group Holdings to the consortium that also includes BlackRock subsidiary Global Infrastructure Partners and Terminal Investment Limited, a subsidiary of the Mediterranean Shipping Company. In May, Hutchinson co-managing director, Dominic Lai told shareholders that Terminal Investment was the main investor. Its parent company is led by Italian shipping scion Diego Aponte, whose family reportedly has a longstanding relationship with Li's. The initial deal, valued at nearly $23 billion including $5 billion in debt, would have given the consortium control over 43 ports in 23 countries, including the ports of Balboa and Cristobal, located at either end of the canal. That agreement also required approval from Panama's government.
