Latest news with #FSTR
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
1 Volatile Stock to Consider Right Now and 2 to Question
Market swings can be tough to stomach, and volatile stocks often experience exaggerated moves in both directions. While many thrive during risk-on environments, many also struggle to maintain investor confidence when the ride gets bumpy. At StockStory, our job is to help you avoid costly mistakes and stay on the right side of the trade. That said, here is one volatile stock that could deliver huge gains and two that might not be worth the risk. Rolling One-Year Beta: 2.89 Founded by consignment store aficionado Julie Wainwright, The RealReal (NASDAQ: REAL) is an online marketplace for buying and selling secondhand luxury goods. Why Are We Hesitant About REAL? Struggled with new customer acquisition as its active buyers averaged 7.7% declines Negative free cash flow raises questions about the return timeline for its investments High net-debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 23× increases the risk of forced asset sales or dilutive financing if operational performance weakens The RealReal's stock price of $6.02 implies a valuation ratio of 24.1x forward EV-to-EBITDA. To fully understand why you should be careful with REAL, check out our full research report (it's free). Rolling One-Year Beta: 1.98 Founded with a $2,500 loan, L.B. Foster (NASDAQ:FSTR) is a provider of products and services for the transportation and energy infrastructure sectors, including rail products, construction materials, and coating solutions. Why Do We Think FSTR Will Underperform? Products and services are facing significant end-market challenges during this cycle as sales have declined by 1.5% annually over the last five years Lacking free cash flow generation means it has few chances to reinvest for growth, repurchase shares, or distribute capital Underwhelming 4.9% return on capital reflects management's difficulties in finding profitable growth opportunities At $19.61 per share, L.B. Foster trades at 4.8x forward EV-to-EBITDA. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why FSTR doesn't pass our bar. Rolling One-Year Beta: 1.21 Formed through the 2013 merger of Elance and oDesk, Upwork (NASDAQ:UPWK) is an online platform where businesses and independent professionals connect to get work done. Why Does UPWK Stand Out? Monetization efforts are paying off as its average revenue per customer has grown by 8.4% annually over the last two years Additional sales over the last three years increased its profitability as the 168% annual growth in its earnings per share outpaced its revenue Free cash flow margin jumped by 21.1 percentage points over the last few years, giving the company more resources to pursue growth initiatives, repurchase shares, or pay dividends Upwork is trading at $13.38 per share, or 10.1x forward EV-to-EBITDA. Is now a good time to buy? Find out in our full research report, it's free. Market indices reached historic highs following Donald Trump's presidential victory in November 2024, but the outlook for 2025 is clouded by new trade policies that could impact business confidence and growth. While this has caused many investors to adopt a "fearful" wait-and-see approach, we're leaning into our best ideas that can grow regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate. Take advantage of Mr. Market by checking out our Top 5 Growth Stocks for this month. 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. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
2 Industrials Stocks for Long-Term Investors and 1 to Approach with Caution
Even if they go mostly unnoticed, industrial businesses are the backbone of our country. Still, their generally high capital requirements expose them to the ups and downs of economic cycles, and the market seems to be baking in a prolonged downturn as the industry has shed 11.3% over the past six months. This performance was worse than the S&P 500's 5.7% loss. The elite companies can churn out earnings growth under any circumstance, however, and our mission at StockStory is to help you find them. Keeping that in mind, here are two industrials stocks boasting durable advantages and one that may face trouble. Market Cap: $215.7 million Founded with a $2,500 loan, L.B. Foster (NASDAQ:FSTR) is a provider of products and services for the transportation and energy infrastructure sectors, including rail products, construction materials, and coating solutions. Why Do We Avoid FSTR? Sales tumbled by 1.5% annually over the last five years, showing market trends are working against its favor during this cycle Poor free cash flow margin of 0.8% for the last five years limits its freedom to invest in growth initiatives, execute share buybacks, or pay dividends Underwhelming 4.9% return on capital reflects management's difficulties in finding profitable growth opportunities L.B. Foster is trading at $19.91 per share, or 4.8x forward EV-to-EBITDA. To fully understand why you should be careful with FSTR, check out our full research report (it's free). Market Cap: $3.20 billion Listed on the NASDAQ in 2008, Primoris (NYSE:PRIM) builds, maintains, and upgrades infrastructure in the utility, energy, and civil construction industries. Why Are We Fans of PRIM? Annual revenue growth of 20% over the past two years was outstanding, reflecting market share gains this cycle Earnings per share grew by 23.2% annually over the last two years and trumped its peers ROIC of 10.3% shows management can invest its resources competently At $57.11 per share, Primoris trades at 14.9x forward price-to-earnings. Is now the right time to buy? See for yourself in our in-depth research report, it's free. Market Cap: $171.3 million Founded by an employee at a real estate rental company, SmartRent (NYSE:SMRT) provides smart home devices and software for multifamily residential properties, single-family rental homes, and student housing communities. Why Does SMRT Stand Out? Annual revenue growth of 35.1% over the past four years was outstanding, reflecting market share gains this cycle Ability to secure long-term commitments with customers is evident in its 41.5% average ARR growth over the past two years Incremental sales over the last two years have been highly profitable as its earnings per share increased by 52.1% annually, topping its revenue gains SmartRent's stock price of $0.91 implies a valuation ratio of 1.1x forward price-to-sales. Is now a good time to buy? Find out in our full research report, it's free. The market surged in 2024 and reached record highs after Donald Trump's presidential victory in November, but questions about new economic policies are adding much uncertainty for 2025. While the crowd speculates what might happen next, we're homing in on the companies that can succeed regardless of the political or macroeconomic environment. Put yourself in the driver's seat and build a durable portfolio by checking out our Top 5 Growth Stocks for this month. 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.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
3 of Wall Street's Favorite Stocks Showing Warning Signs
Wall Street has set ambitious price targets for the stocks in this article. While this suggests attractive upside potential, it's important to remain skeptical because analysts face institutional pressures that can sometimes lead to overly optimistic forecasts. At StockStory, we look beyond the headlines with our independent analysis to determine whether these bullish calls are justified. That said, here are three stocks where Wall Street's enthusiasm may be misplaced and some other investments worth exploring instead. Consensus Price Target: $35 (47% implied return) Founded with a $2,500 loan, L.B. Foster (NASDAQ:FSTR) is a provider of products and services for the transportation and energy infrastructure sectors, including rail products, construction materials, and coating solutions. Why Do We Steer Clear of FSTR? Products and services are facing significant end-market challenges during this cycle as sales have declined by 1.5% annually over the last five years Poor free cash flow margin of 0.8% for the last five years limits its freedom to invest in growth initiatives, execute share buybacks, or pay dividends Below-average returns on capital indicate management struggled to find compelling investment opportunities L.B. Foster's stock price of $19.73 implies a valuation ratio of 4.8x forward EV-to-EBITDA. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why FSTR doesn't pass our bar. Consensus Price Target: $3.92 (134% implied return) Powering forklifts for Walmart's distribution centers, Plug Power (NASDAQ:PLUG) provides hydrogen fuel cells used to power electric motors. Why Do We Pass on PLUG? Annual revenue growth of 1.3% over the last two years was below our standards for the industrials sector Free cash flow margin dropped significantly over the last five years, implying the company became more capital intensive as competition picked up Limited cash reserves may force the company to seek unfavorable financing terms that could dilute shareholders At $0.93 per share, Plug Power trades at 1x forward price-to-sales. To fully understand why you should be careful with PLUG, check out our full research report (it's free). Consensus Price Target: $6.88 (41.9% implied return) Started in 2011 to tackle the problem of high prescription drug costs in America, GoodRx (NASDAQ:GDRX) operates a digital platform that helps consumers find lower prices on prescription medications through price comparison tools and discount codes. Why Are We Out on GDRX? Sales trends were unexciting over the last two years as its 1.7% annual growth was below the typical healthcare company Revenue base of $792.3 million puts it at a disadvantage compared to larger competitors exhibiting economies of scale Push for growth has led to negative returns on capital, signaling value destruction GoodRx is trading at $4.67 per share, or 10.8x forward price-to-earnings. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including GDRX in your portfolio, it's free. Market indices reached historic highs following Donald Trump's presidential victory in November 2024, but the outlook for 2025 is clouded by new trade policies that could impact business confidence and growth. While this has caused many investors to adopt a "fearful" wait-and-see approach, we're leaning into our best ideas that can grow regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate. Take advantage of Mr. Market by checking out our Top 5 Growth Stocks for this month. 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. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
3 Reasons to Avoid FSTR and 1 Stock to Buy Instead
L.B. Foster has been treading water for the past six months, recording a small return of 2.6% while holding steady at $19.53. However, the stock is beating the S&P 500's 7.7% decline during that period. Is there a buying opportunity in L.B. Foster, or does it present a risk to your portfolio? Dive into our full research report to see our analyst team's opinion, it's free. Even with the strong relative performance, we're sitting this one out for now. Here are three reasons why we avoid FSTR and a stock we'd rather own. Founded with a $2,500 loan, L.B. Foster (NASDAQ:FSTR) is a provider of products and services for the transportation and energy infrastructure sectors, including rail products, construction materials, and coating solutions. A company's long-term performance is an indicator of its overall quality. Even a bad business can shine for one or two quarters, but a top-tier one grows for years. Over the last five years, L.B. Foster's demand was weak and its revenue declined by 1.5% per year. This was below our standards and is a sign of poor business quality. If you've followed StockStory for a while, you know we emphasize free cash flow. Why, you ask? We believe that in the end, cash is king, and you can't use accounting profits to pay the bills. L.B. Foster broke even from a free cash flow perspective over the last five years, giving the company limited opportunities to return capital to shareholders. Growth gives us insight into a company's long-term potential, but how capital-efficient was that growth? A company's ROIC explains this by showing how much operating profit it makes compared to the money it has raised (debt and equity). L.B. Foster historically did a mediocre job investing in profitable growth initiatives. Its five-year average ROIC was 4.9%, lower than the typical cost of capital (how much it costs to raise money) for industrials companies. We see the value of companies helping their customers, but in the case of L.B. Foster, we're out. Following its recent outperformance amid a softer market environment, the stock trades at 4.8× forward EV-to-EBITDA (or $19.53 per share). While this valuation is reasonable, we don't see a big opportunity at the moment. There are better investments elsewhere. We'd suggest looking at a fast-growing restaurant franchise with an A+ ranch dressing sauce. The market surged in 2024 and reached record highs after Donald Trump's presidential victory in November, but questions about new economic policies are adding much uncertainty for 2025. While the crowd speculates what might happen next, we're homing in on the companies that can succeed regardless of the political or macroeconomic environment. Put yourself in the driver's seat and build a durable portfolio by checking out our Top 6 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. Sign in to access your portfolio
Associated Press
30-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Fourth Star Launches Immersive Media Streaming Platform
NEWMEDIAWIRE) - Fourth Star, the cutting-edge virtual reality immersive media streaming platform, is officially available to the public. Fourth Star transforms traditional entertainment, enabling users to seamlessly watch standard 2D, 180 and 360 immersive media content and movies, and redefines how audiences engage with immersive storytelling, offering an unparalleled first-person centric perspective on entertainment. 'Fourth Star is more than a platform - it's a revolution in entertainment,' said Greg Simon, Co-Founder & CEO of Fourth Star. 'We've created an immersive experience where users can not only consume content, but actively participate in it. Our vision is to transform how people experience media content and movies in a way that has never been done before.' A New Era of Interactive Entertainment With the largest immersive media streaming platform available on Sidequest, users can explore nearly forty unique environments, interact with AI-driven crew, and experience entertainment in an entirely new way. Fourth Star offers a groundbreaking approach to digital engagement, whether socializing in the Cafe, customizing avatars in private Apartments or Ships, or stepping directly into a movie's storyline. 'The combination of VR, AI and blockchain in Fourth Star sets a new standard for immersive entertainment,' said Craig Wiltshire, CTO of Fourth Star. 'Our vision is to seamlessly integrate all three technologies into the user experience. We are redefining the entertainment experience from passive observation to active creation.' Built for Content Partners Fourth Star is a self-serve platform designed for content partners of all sizes, from individual creators to blockbuster studios. Content partners can set up an account, create content channels, and begin monetizing their work immediately. No integration is required, allowing for seamless onboarding and instant access to a global audience. The Creator Portal empowers partners to distribute and profit from their immersive media with ease, making Fourth Star a truly open and accessible metaverse for digital entertainment. Key Features of Fourth Star - VR Streaming Platforms - Users can access nearly forty environments and own their own luxury apartments and ships, all equipped with an immersive media streaming entertainment hub. - Social & Customization - Connect with others in dynamic social hubs, personalize your avatar, and invite your friends to your own luxury apartment and ship. - Player Portal - Users can access the web-based marketplace to explore content and invite friends. - Creator Portal - Set up an account, create content channels, and begin monetizing your work immediately. No integration is required, allowing for seamless onboarding and instant access to a global audience. - Blockchain Integration - The FSTR token, built on the Polygon blockchain, powers the ecosystem, providing secure transactions and exclusive rewards. FSTR: The Utility Token Powering Fourth Star FSTR serves as the primary ecosystem currency within the Fourth Star platform, enabling users to purchase apartments, ships, AI companions and exclusive content. Token holders benefit from VIP Access: Exclusive events, early screenings, and red carpet experiences, with Discounts: 25% savings on in-app purchases (IAPs) and entertainment content. FSTRs are available today on the Probit Global Exchange at A New Paradigm in Entertainment Discover the New Entertainment Frontier, watch a traditional 2D movie and then seamlessly transition into a breathtaking 360-degree, stereoscopic fully gamified interactive scene where the environment comes alive around you. Don't just watch, step into the action and interact with the characters and live the story from a first-person perspective. Transform your entertainment into a fully immersive, gamified adventure. Invite your friends to join you in exploring over thirty environments or relax in your own ship or apartment with hours of immersive entertainment content. Fourth Star is designed to deliver the future of entertainment, merging cinematic storytelling with interactive gaming, offering a seamless transition from passive to interactive experiences, with advanced AI integration for interactive AI characters. A thriving community for players, creators, and investors where you don't just watch the star in the movie, you become the star. Availability and Access Fourth Star is now live and available for users worldwide on Sidequest. Whether you're an explorer, content creator large to small, storyteller, or entertainment enthusiast, Fourth Star provides an immersive space to experience digital entertainment, where you don't just watch the star in the movie, you become the star. About Fourth Star Fourth Star is a virtual reality immersive media streaming and gaming metaverse. Established in 2022, work began on platform design and environmental modeling. In 2023, focus turned to closed alpha and beta testing, alongside workshops with content creators. 2024 saw the release of our open beta, as we gathered feedback and introduced creators, while we launched our FSTR, sold ships and apartments, and developed our creator and partner reward systems. In 2025, we'll launch 'Genevieve', an AI-powered comprehensive marketing system, advanced AI tools enabling generation of immersive content and interactive storylines, AI companions, a creator reward system introducing virtual asset rentals, and interactive gamified blockbuster films. Greg Simon
