Back to top

Image: Bigstock

4 Toxic Stocks to Discard or Sell Short for Profits

Read MoreHide Full Article

Accurate identification of overpriced toxic stocks and correctly priced ones holds the key to successful investing. However, it is not easy to figure out toxic stocks and abandon them at the right time.

Overblown toxic stocks are generally vulnerable to outside shocks. Moreover, these stocks are burdened with a huge amount of debt. The price of these stocks is artificially inflated. However, the higher price of toxic stocks is only short-lived in nature as it exceeds its true intrinsic value.

Investors may gain from correct identification of toxic stocks with the help of an investing strategy called short selling. This strategy permits investors to sell a stock first and then buy it when the price falls.

While short selling excels in bear markets, it typically loses money in bull markets.

So, spotting toxic stocks and discarding or short selling them at the right time is the key to protect your portfolio from big losses.

Screening Criteria

Here is a winning strategy that will help you to identify overpriced toxic stocks:

Most recent Debt/Equity Ratio greater than the median industry average: High debt/equity ratio implies high leverage. High leverage indicates a huge level of repayment that the company has to make in connection with the debt amount.

P/E using 12-month forward EPS estimate greater than 50: A very high forward P/E implies that a stock is highly overvalued.

% Change in F (1) and F (2) Estimate (12 Weeks) less than -5: Negative EPS estimate revision for this and the next fiscal year during the past 12 weeks points to analysts’ pessimism.

Zacks Rank more than or equal to #3 (Hold): We have not considered Buy-rated stocks that generally outperform the market.

Here are four of the 12 toxic stocks that showed up on the screen:

Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. (LYV - Free Report) is a Beverly Hills, CA-based live entertainment company. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-quarter loss has remained unchanged at 28 cents per share. The stock has a Zacks Rank #3. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Leawood, KS-based AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. (AMC - Free Report) is engaged in the theatrical exhibition business. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current quarter earnings declined from 8 cents per share to 6 cents. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3.

Hanover, MD-based The KEYW Holding Corporation is engaged in cyber security and cyber superiority solutions to defense, intelligence and national security agencies. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-quarter loss has remained unchanged at 2 cents per share. The stock has a Zacks Rank #3.

Eden Prairie, MN-based Stratasys, Ltd. (SSYS - Free Report) operates as a manufacturer of 3D printers and materials. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-quarter earnings has remained unchanged at 8 cents per share. The stock has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).

Get the rest of the stocks on the list and start putting this and other ideas to the test. It can all be done with the Research Wizard stock picking and backtesting software.

The Research Wizard is a great place to begin. It's easy to use. Everything is in plain language. And it's very intuitive. Start your Research Wizard trial today. And the next time you read an economic report, open up the Research Wizard, plug your finds in, and see what gems come out.

Click here to sign up for a free trial to the Research Wizard today.

Disclosure: Officers, directors and/or employees of Zacks Investment Research may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material. An affiliated investment advisory firm may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material.

Disclosure: Performance information for Zacks’ portfolios and strategies are available at: https://www.zacks.com/performance.

Zacks Restaurant Recommendations: In addition to dining at these special places, you can feast on their stock shares. A Zacks Special Report spotlights 5 recent IPOs to watch plus 2 stocks that offer immediate promise in a booming sector. Download it free »


See More Zacks Research for These Tickers


Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:


Stratasys, Ltd. (SSYS) - free report >>

Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. (LYV) - free report >>

AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. (AMC) - free report >>

Published in