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1 Momentum Stock with Competitive Advantages and 2 We Question

WYNN Cover Image

The stocks in this article are all trading near their 52-week highs. This strength often reflects positive developments such as new product launches, favorable industry trends, or improved financial performance.

While momentum can be a leading indicator, it has burned many investors as it doesn’t always correlate with long-term success. All that said, here is one stock we think lives up to the hype and two best left ignored.

Two Stocks to Sell:

Wynn Resorts (WYNN)

One-Month Return: +18.2%

Founded by the former Mirage Resorts CEO, Wynn Resorts (NASDAQ:WYNN) is a global developer and operator of high-end hotels and casinos, known for its luxurious properties and premium guest services.

Why Is WYNN Not Exciting?

  1. Lackluster 3.3% annual revenue growth over the last five years indicates the company is losing ground to competitors
  2. Below-average returns on capital indicate management struggled to find compelling investment opportunities
  3. High net-debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 5× increases the risk of forced asset sales or dilutive financing if operational performance weakens

Wynn Resorts’s stock price of $106 implies a valuation ratio of 21.7x forward P/E. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why WYNN doesn’t pass our bar.

3M (MMM)

One-Month Return: +3.2%

Producers of the first asthma inhaler, 3M Company (NYSE:MMM) is a global conglomerate known for products in industries like healthcare, safety, electronics, and consumer goods.

Why Do We Avoid MMM?

  1. Absence of organic revenue growth over the past two years suggests it may have to lean into acquisitions to drive its expansion
  2. Earnings per share have dipped by 2.2% annually over the past five years, which is concerning because stock prices follow EPS over the long term
  3. Waning returns on capital from an already weak starting point displays the inefficacy of management’s past and current investment decisions

At $152.25 per share, 3M trades at 19.1x forward P/E. To fully understand why you should be careful with MMM, check out our full research report (it’s free).

One Stock to Watch:

Wintrust Financial (WTFC)

One-Month Return: +8.4%

Founded in 1991 as a community-focused alternative to big banks in the Chicago area, Wintrust Financial (NASDAQGS:WTFC) operates community banks in the Chicago area and provides specialty finance services including insurance premium financing and wealth management.

Why Are We Fans of WTFC?

  1. Annual net interest income growth of 15.4% over the last five years was superb and indicates its market share increased during this cycle
  2. Incremental sales over the last five years have been highly profitable as its earnings per share increased by 18.6% annually, topping its revenue gains
  3. Impressive 10.3% annual tangible book value per share growth over the last five years indicates it’s building equity value this cycle

Wintrust Financial is trading at $132.77 per share, or 1.3x forward P/B. Is now the time to initiate a position? See for yourself in our in-depth research report, it’s free.

Stocks We Like Even More

Donald Trump’s April 2024 "Liberation Day" tariffs sent markets into a tailspin, but stocks have since rebounded strongly, proving that knee-jerk reactions often create the best buying opportunities.

The smart money is already positioning for the next leg up. Don’t miss out on the recovery - 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 183% over the last five years (as of March 31st 2025).

Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-small-cap company Comfort Systems (+782% 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

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