3 of Wall Street’s Favorite Stocks That Concern Us

Barchart·03/13/2026 03:36:14

The stocks in this article have caught Wall Street’s attention in a big way, with price targets implying returns above 20%. But investors should take these forecasts with a grain of salt because analysts typically say nice things about companies so their firms can win business in other product lines like M&A advisory.

Luckily for you, we at StockStory have no conflicts of interest - our sole job is to help you find genuinely promising companies. Keeping that in mind, here are three stocks where Wall Street’s enthusiasm may be misplaced and some other investments worth exploring instead.

Enviri (NVRI)

Consensus Price Target: $21.67 (20.9% implied return)

Cooling America’s first indoor ice rink in the 19th century, Enviri (NYSE:NVRI) offers steel and waste handling services.

Why Do We Steer Clear of NVRI?

1. Customers postponed purchases of its products and services this cycle as its revenue declined by 2.7% annually over the last two years
2. Cash-burning history makes us doubt the long-term viability of its business model
3. High net-debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 5× increases the risk of forced asset sales or dilutive financing if operational performance weakens

Enviri is trading at $17.92 per share, or 14.1x forward EV-to-EBITDA. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including NVRI in your portfolio.

Brookdale (BKD)

Consensus Price Target: $19.38 (39.3% implied return)

With a network of over 650 communities serving approximately 59,000 residents across 41 states, Brookdale Senior Living (NYSE:BKD) operates senior living communities across the United States, offering independent living, assisted living, memory care, and continuing care retirement communities.

Why Is BKD Not Exciting?

1. Products and services are facing significant end-market challenges during this cycle as sales have declined by 2% annually over the last five years
2. Estimated sales decline of 5.2% for the next 12 months implies a challenging demand environment
3. 11× net-debt-to-EBITDA ratio shows it’s overleveraged and increases the probability of shareholder dilution if things turn unexpectedly

At $13.91 per share, Brookdale trades at 17.1x forward EV-to-EBITDA. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than BKD.

HNI (HNI)

Consensus Price Target: $72 (77.9% implied return)

With roots dating back to 1944 and a significant acquisition of Kimball International in 2023, HNI (NYSE:HNI) manufactures and sells office furniture systems, seating, and storage solutions, as well as residential fireplaces and heating products.

Why Does HNI Fall Short?

1. High net-debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 6× could force the company to raise capital at unfavorable terms if market conditions deteriorate

HNI’s stock price of $40.48 implies a valuation ratio of 10x forward P/E. If you’re considering HNI for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.

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