Value investing has produced some of the world’s most famous investing billionaires, including Warren Buffett, David Einhorn, and Seth Klarman, who built their fortunes by purchasing wonderful businesses at reasonable prices. But these hidden gems are few and far between - many stocks that appear cheap often stay that way because they face structural issues.
Separating the winners from the value traps is a tough challenge, and that’s where StockStory comes in. Our job is to find you high-quality companies that will stand the test of time. That said, here are three value stocks climbing an uphill battle and some other investments you should look into instead.
Pitney Bowes (PBI)
Forward P/E Ratio: 7.2x
With a century-long history dating back to 1920 and processing over 15 billion pieces of mail annually, Pitney Bowes (NYSE: PBI) provides shipping, mailing technology, logistics, and financial services to businesses of all sizes.
Why Does PBI Worry Us?
- Products and services are facing significant end-market challenges during this cycle as sales have declined by 10.5% annually over the last five years
- Projected sales decline of 4% over the next 12 months indicates demand will continue deteriorating
- Lacking free cash flow generation means it has few chances to reinvest for growth, repurchase shares, or distribute capital
At $10.28 per share, Pitney Bowes trades at 7.2x forward P/E. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including PBI in your portfolio.
Ally Financial (ALLY)
Forward P/E Ratio: 7.9x
Born from the former GMAC (General Motors Acceptance Corporation) and rebranded in 2010, Ally Financial (NYSE: ALLY) operates a digital-first bank offering auto financing, insurance, mortgage lending, and investment services to consumers and commercial clients.
Why Do We Pass on ALLY?
- Muted 1.7% annual revenue growth over the last two years shows its demand lagged behind its financials peers
- Capital trends were unexciting over the last five years as its 2.3% annual tangible book value per share growth was below the typical financials firm
- Tier one capital ratio of 9.8% is insufficient to meet regulatory requirements, increasing the probability of government intervention
Ally Financial is trading at $42.14 per share, or 7.9x forward P/E. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than ALLY.
Radian Group (RDN)
Forward P/B Ratio: 0.9x
Founded during the housing boom of 1977 and weathering multiple real estate cycles since, Radian Group (NYSE: RDN) provides mortgage insurance and real estate services, helping lenders manage risk and homebuyers achieve affordable homeownership.
Why Are We Cautious About RDN?
- 3.2% annual declines in net premiums earned for the past five years indicates policy sales struggled this cycle
- Expenses have increased as a percentage of revenue over the last two years as its combined ratio degraded by 13.7 percentage points
- Earnings per share lagged its peers over the last two years as they only grew by 2.2% annually
Radian Group’s stock price of $33.25 implies a valuation ratio of 0.9x forward P/B. If you’re considering RDN for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.
High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions
Check out the high-quality names we’ve flagged in 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 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.
