Profitability alone doesn't guarantee a winning stock. We examine three firms—Chewy, RH, and Proto Labs—that are in the black but face significant headwinds that may limit their future returns, prompting investors to look elsewhere for growth.
Profitability is a crucial starting point for investors, but it's not a guaranteed shield against market shifts. As competition evolves, today's cash generators can become tomorrow's laggards. We analyze three companies with strong margins to separate resilient growth from potential stagnation.
ExxonMobil reported a 14% year-on-year decline in fourth-quarter net profit, pressured by lower crude prices and chemical margins. Despite the quarterly drop, the energy giant highlighted record production levels, robust cash flow, and continued heavy returns to shareholders as evidence of its strengthened operational foundation.
Deutsche Bank's 2025 net profit nearly doubled to €7.1bn, fueled by revenue gains and cost cuts across all divisions, even as German prosecutors launch a money-laundering investigation linked to the lender.
SoFi Technologies posts a sharp rise in quarterly profit, driven by record loan demand and a 78% revenue surge in its fee-generating financial services arm. The performance highlights a strategic shift as consumers flock to digital lenders for debt consolidation, while potential regulatory headwinds loom for the credit card industry.
German automotive giant Bosch reports a sharp 45% drop in operating profit for 2025, driven by heavy restructuring charges, intense global competition, and delayed returns on future-tech investments.
The drilling services firm Foraco International (TSE:FAR) is demonstrating a powerful trend of improving capital efficiency, with its Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) jumping 53% over five years. This signals a company that's generating significantly more profit from each dollar invested, a key marker often sought by long-term investors.
Swiss watch and jewelry giant Swatch Group reported a steep decline in full-year profit and revenue, with pre-tax earnings nearly halved as consumer demand softened and operational costs climbed.
H&M Group announces a proposed dividend hike for 2026 and the completion of a major share buyback, signaling confidence in its ongoing profitability turnaround even as sales face headwinds from rivals like Zara and Shein.
Real Matters Inc. (TSE: REAL) kicked off its 2026 fiscal year with robust double-digit revenue growth and a return to profitability, defying typical seasonal headwinds. The company's performance was fueled by market share gains, new client launches, and improved operational efficiency across its U.S. and Canadian segments.
Valero Energy reported a robust fourth quarter, with net income surging to $1.1 billion, driven by strong refining margins and record operational performance. While renewable diesel faced headwinds, ethanol profits soared. The company outlined disciplined capital plans and highlighted potential tailwinds from policy clarity and increased access to discounted heavy crude.
As demand for specialist education soars, private investors—from Abu Dhabi to private equity firms—are capitalizing on a strained system, drawing criticism for extracting profits from vulnerable children and cash-strapped councils.
PACCAR reports softer fourth-quarter sales and earnings alongside the retirement of a key executive, yet maintains its full-year profit record and commitment to next-generation truck technology, setting the stage for a pivotal 2026.
Shares of Liberty Energy (LBRT) surged over 16% to an all-time peak as CEO Ron Gusek's aggressive growth roadmap, targeting a tripling of power demand, overshadowed a sharp decline in annual profits.
While Alpha IVF Group Berhad's latest earnings disappointed the market, a deeper look reveals a significant accrual ratio, raising questions about the quality of its profits and the sustainability of its cash generation.
Meta Platforms' relentless investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure is set to drive capital expenditures to unprecedented levels in 2026, raising questions about long-term returns for the cash-rich tech giant.
The Walt Disney Company surpassed Wall Street's revenue and earnings expectations for its fiscal first quarter, powered by strength in its streaming services and theme parks. The media giant reaffirmed its full-year forecast for double-digit profit growth, signaling confidence in its ongoing strategic transformation.
Revvity (NYSE: RVTY) surged past fourth-quarter expectations and issued an upbeat 2026 outlook, driven by robust demand in its diagnostics division. The medical equipment maker's performance highlights a sector-wide resilience despite ongoing softness in academic research funding.
The off-price retail giant TJX Companies is demonstrating remarkable capital efficiency, with its return on capital employed (ROCE) soaring to 31%—far outpacing industry averages—even without significant increases in capital investment over the past five years.
SanDisk Corporation's stock hit an all-time peak following a blockbuster earnings report for Q2 FY2026, fueled by surging demand for its storage solutions from the artificial intelligence sector.
