Growth boosts valuation multiples, but it doesn’t always last forever. Companies that cannot maintain it are often penalized with large declines in market value, a lesson ingrained in investors who lost money in tech stocks during 2022.
Luckily for you, our job at StockStory is to help you avoid short-term fads by pointing you toward high-quality businesses that can generate sustainable long-term growth. That said, here are two growth stocks where the best is yet to come and one that could be down big.
One Growth Stock to Sell:
Appian (APPN)
One-Year Revenue Growth: +16%
Powering billions of transactions daily since its founding in 1999, Appian (NASDAQ:APPN) provides a low-code platform that helps businesses automate complex processes and operationalize artificial intelligence without extensive programming knowledge.
Why Does APPN Fall Short?
- Revenue increased by 14.6% annually over the last two years, acceptable on an absolute basis but tepid for a software company enjoying secular tailwinds
- Extended payback periods on sales investments suggest the company’s platform isn’t resonating enough to drive efficient sales conversions
- Projected 6 percentage point decline in its free cash flow margin next year reflects the company’s plans to increase its investments to defend its market position
At $38.06 per share, Appian trades at 3.9x forward price-to-sales. To fully understand why you should be careful with APPN, check out our full research report (it’s free for active Edge members).
Two Growth Stocks to Watch:
John Bean (JBTM)
One-Year Revenue Growth: +92.4%
Tracing back to its invention of the mechanical milk bottle filler in 1884, John Bean (NYSE:JBT) designs, manufactures, and sells equipment used for food processing and aviation.
Why Do We Like JBTM?
- Annual revenue growth of 40% over the past two years was outstanding, reflecting market share gains this cycle
- Notable projected revenue growth of 21.3% for the next 12 months hints at market share gains
- Earnings per share grew by 16.3% annually over the last two years, massively outpacing its peers
John Bean is trading at $155.55 per share, or 20.3x forward P/E. Is now the right time to buy? See for yourself in our comprehensive research report, it’s free for active Edge members .
BGC (BGC)
One-Year Revenue Growth: +24.6%
Tracing its roots back to 1945 and named after founder Bernard Gerald Cantor, BGC Group (NASDAQ:BGC) operates a global brokerage and financial technology platform that facilitates trading across fixed income, foreign exchange, equities, energy, and commodities markets.
Why Does BGC Stand Out?
- Market share has increased this cycle as its 18.7% annual revenue growth over the last two years was exceptional
- Additional sales over the last two years increased its profitability as the 20.9% annual growth in its earnings per share outpaced its revenue
- Management team has demonstrated it can invest in profitable ventures through its 11.2% five-year return on equity
BGC’s stock price of $8.97 implies a valuation ratio of 6.8x forward P/E. Is now a good time to buy? Find out in our full research report, it’s free for active Edge members.
High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions
If your portfolio success hinges on just 4 stocks, your wealth is built on fragile ground. You have a small window to secure high-quality assets before the market widens and these prices disappear.
Don’t wait for the next volatility shock. Check out our Top 9 Market-Beating Stocks. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 244% over the last five years (as of June 30, 2025).
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 for free. Find your next big winner with StockStory today. Find your next big winner with StockStory today
StockStory is growing and hiring equity analyst and marketing roles. Are you a 0 to 1 builder passionate about the markets and AI? See the open roles here.