1 Cash-Producing Stock to Keep an Eye On and 2 We Brush Off

Barchart·06/08/2026 03:52:16

Generating cash is essential for any business, but not all cash-rich companies are great investments. Some produce plenty of cash but fail to allocate it effectively, leading to missed opportunities.

Not all companies are created equal, and StockStory is here to surface the ones with real upside. That said, here is one cash-producing company that leverages its financial strength to beat its competitors and two that may struggle to keep up.

Two Stocks to Sell:

Spectrum Brands (SPB)

Trailing 12-Month Free Cash Flow Margin: 10.3%

A leader in multiple consumer product categories, Spectrum Brands (NYSE:SPB) is a diversified company with a portfolio of trusted brands spanning home appliances, garden care, personal care, and pet care.

Why Do We Think SPB Will Underperform?

1. Organic sales performance over the past two years indicates the company may need to make strategic adjustments or rely on M&A to catalyze faster growth
2. Anticipated sales growth of 1.8% for the next year implies demand will be shaky
3. Low returns on capital reflect management’s struggle to allocate funds effectively

Spectrum Brands’s stock price of $81.16 implies a valuation ratio of 16.8x forward P/E. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than SPB.

Honeywell (HON)

Trailing 12-Month Free Cash Flow Margin: 10.2%

Originally founded in 1906 as a thermostat company, Honeywell (NASDAQ:HON) is a multinational conglomerate known for its aerospace systems, building technologies, performance materials, and safety and productivity solutions.

Why Do We Pass on HON?

1. Core business is underperforming as its organic revenue has disappointed over the past two years, suggesting it might need acquisitions to stimulate growth
2. Costs have risen faster than its revenue over the last five years, causing its operating margin to decline by 4 percentage points
3. Waning returns on capital imply its previous profit engines are losing steam

At $213.55 per share, Honeywell trades at 20.4x forward P/E. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including HON in your portfolio.

One Stock to Watch:

Applied Materials (AMAT)

Trailing 12-Month Free Cash Flow Margin: 18.4%

Founded in 1967 as the first company to develop tools for other businesses in the semiconductor industry, Applied Materials (NASDAQ:AMAT) is the largest provider of semiconductor wafer fabrication equipment.

Why Are We Positive on AMAT?

1. Projected revenue growth of 32.8% for the next 12 months indicates demand will rise above its two-year trend
2. Highly efficient business model is illustrated by its impressive 29.1% operating margin
3. Stellar returns on capital showcase management’s ability to surface highly profitable business ventures

Applied Materials is trading at $447.99 per share, or 34.2x forward P/E. Is now the time to initiate a position? See for yourself in our in-depth research report, it’s free.

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