2 Profitable Stocks with Competitive Advantages and 1 Facing Headwinds

Barchart·04/27/2026 04:38:20

Not all profitable companies are built to last - some rely on outdated models or unsustainable advantages. Just because a business is in the green today doesn’t mean it will thrive tomorrow.

Profits are valuable, but they’re not everything. At StockStory, we help you identify the companies that have real staying power. Keeping that in mind, here are two profitable companies that leverage their financial strength to beat the competition and one that may face some trouble.

One Stock to Sell:

Tenaris (TEN)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 30%

Operating industrial facilities across the Americas, Europe, Middle East, and Asia, Tenaris (NYSE:TEN) manufactures seamless and welded steel pipes used in oil and gas drilling and transportation.

Why Do We Think Twice About TEN?

1. Annual revenue growth of 4.4% over the last five years was below our standards for the energy upstream and integrated energy sector
2. Revenue base of $798.7 million puts it at a disadvantage compared to larger competitors exhibiting economies of scale

Tenaris is trading at $39.36 per share, or 5x forward P/E. To fully understand why you should be careful with TEN, check out our full research report (it’s free).

Two Stocks to Watch:

Uber (UBER)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 10.7%

Notoriously funded with $7.7 billion from the Softbank Vision Fund, Uber (NYSE:UBER) operates a platform of on-demand services such as ride-hailing, food delivery, and freight.

Why Does UBER Stand Out?

1. Has the opportunity to boost monetization through new features and premium offerings as its monthly active platform consumers have grown by 15.1% annually over the last two years
2. Additional sales over the last three years increased its profitability as the 130% annual growth in its earnings per share outpaced its revenue
3. Free cash flow margin jumped by 17.5 percentage points over the last few years, giving the company more resources to pursue growth initiatives, repurchase shares, or pay dividends

Uber’s stock price of $74.52 implies a valuation ratio of 14.6x forward EV/EBITDA. Is now the right time to buy? See for yourself in our comprehensive research report, it’s free.

Amgen (AMGN)

Trailing 12-Month GAAP Operating Margin: 24.7%

Founded in 1980 during the early days of the biotechnology revolution, Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) is a biotechnology company that discovers, develops, and manufactures innovative medicines to treat serious illnesses like cancer, osteoporosis, and autoimmune diseases.

Why Are We Positive On AMGN?

1. Annual revenue growth of 14.2% over the last two years beat the sector average and underscores the unique value of its offerings
2. $36.75 billion in revenue gives its scale, which leads to bargaining power with customers because there are few trusted alternatives
3. Impressive free cash flow profitability enables the company to fund new investments or reward investors with share buybacks/dividends

At $344.80 per share, Amgen trades at 15.7x forward P/E. Is now the time to initiate a position? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.

High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions

WHILE YOU’RE HERE: Top 9 Market-Beating Stocks. The best stocks don't just beat the market once. They do it again. And again. Robust revenue growth, rising free cash flow, returns on capital that leave their competition in the dust. The market has already rewarded these businesses.

But our AI platform says the party isn't over. Find out which 9 stocks made the cut this week — FREE. Get Our Top 9 Market-Beating Stocks for Free HERE.

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-small-cap company Exlservice (+354% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.

This article contains syndicated content. We have not reviewed, approved, or endorsed the content, and may receive compensation for placement of the content on this site. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.