The stocks in this article are all trading near their 52-week highs. This strength often reflects positive developments such as new product launches, favorable industry trends, or improved financial performance.
But not every company with momentum is a long-term winner, and plenty of investors have lost money betting on short-term fads. All that said, here are three stocks getting more buzz than they deserve and some you should buy instead.
Crocs (CROX)
One-Month Return: -0.9%
Founded in 2002, Crocs (NASDAQ: CROX) sells casual footwear and is known for its iconic clog shoe.
Why Are We Out on CROX?
- Constant currency revenue growth has disappointed over the past two years and shows demand was soft
- Poor expense management has led to an operating margin of 13.5% that is below the industry average
- Shrinking returns on capital from an already weak position reveal that neither previous nor ongoing investments are yielding the desired results
Crocs’s stock price of $129.23 implies a valuation ratio of 9.1x forward P/E. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why CROX doesn’t pass our bar.
MillerKnoll (MLKN)
One-Month Return: +18.5%
Created through the 2021 merger of industry icons Herman Miller and Knoll, MillerKnoll (NASDAQ: MLKN) designs, manufactures, and distributes interior furnishings for offices, healthcare facilities, educational settings, and homes worldwide.
Why Does MLKN Worry Us?
- Muted 2.9% annual revenue growth over the last two years shows its demand lagged behind its business services peers
- Issuance of new shares over the last five years caused its earnings per share to fall by 11% annually while its revenue grew
- Lacking free cash flow generation means it has few chances to reinvest for growth, repurchase shares, or distribute capital
MillerKnoll is trading at $24.03 per share, or 11.8x forward P/E. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than MLKN.
German American Bancorp (GABC)
One-Month Return: +7.4%
Founded in 1910 during a wave of community banking expansion in the Midwest, German American Bancorp (NASDAQ: GABC) is a financial holding company that provides banking, wealth management, and insurance services across southern Indiana and Kentucky.
Why Do We Think Twice About GABC?
- Efficiency ratio is projected to stay flat over the coming year, suggesting its fixed cost leverage is currently maxed out
- Annual earnings per share growth of 4.9% underperformed its revenue over the last five years, showing its incremental sales were less profitable
- Capital trends were unexciting over the last five years as its 1.9% annual tangible book value per share growth was below the typical banking firm
At $50.87 per share, German American Bancorp trades at 1.5x forward P/B. If you’re considering GABC for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.
High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions
ONE MORE THING: Top 6 Stocks for This Week. This market is separating quality stocks from expensive ones fast. AI is taking down whole sectors with no warning. In a rotation this fast, you need more than a list of good companies.
Our AI system flagged Palantir before it ran 1,662% between October 2022 and February 2026. AppLovin before it ran 753% between February 2024 and February 2026. Nvidia before it ran 1,178% between January 2023 and February 2026. Each week it produces 6 new names that pass the same tests. Get Our Top 6 Stocks for Free HERE.
Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,460% between June 2020 and June 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-micro-cap company Tecnoglass (+1,552% between June 2020 and June 2025). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.
