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.
Unlike the investment banks, we created StockStory to provide independent analysis that helps you determine which companies are truly worth following. That said, here is one stock where Wall Street’s excitement appears well-founded and two where analysts may be overlooking some important risks.
Two Stocks to Sell:
Olaplex (OLPX)
Consensus Price Target: $2.02 (24% implied return)
Rising to fame on TikTok because of its “bond building" hair products, Olaplex (NASDAQ: OLPX) offers products and treatments that repair the damage caused by traditional heat and chemical-based styling goods.
Why Are We Hesitant About OLPX?
- Annual revenue declines of 17.3% over the last three years indicate problems with its market positioning
- Sales were less profitable over the last three years as its earnings per share fell by 50.8% annually, worse than its revenue declines
- 14.7 percentage point decline in its free cash flow margin over the last year reflects the company’s increased investments to defend its market position
At $1.63 per share, Olaplex trades at 18.1x forward P/E. If you’re considering OLPX for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.
GEO Group (GEO)
Consensus Price Target: $29.50 (113% implied return)
With a global footprint spanning three continents and approximately 81,000 beds across 100 facilities, GEO Group (NYSE: GEO) operates secure facilities, processing centers, and reentry services for government agencies in the United States, Australia, and South Africa.
Why Does GEO Give Us Pause?
- Muted 2.3% annual revenue growth over the last five years shows its demand lagged behind its business services peers
- Efficiency has decreased over the last four years as its adjusted operating margin fell by 6.3 percentage points
- Free cash flow margin shrank by 12.2 percentage points over the last five years, suggesting the company is consuming more capital to stay competitive
GEO Group’s stock price of $13.84 implies a valuation ratio of 11.2x forward P/E. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including GEO in your portfolio.
One Stock to Watch:
Tetra Tech (TTEK)
Consensus Price Target: $43.50 (32.2% implied return)
With a 50-year legacy of "Leading with Science" and operations on all seven continents, Tetra Tech (NASDAQ: TTEK) provides high-end consulting and engineering services focused on water management, environmental solutions, and sustainable infrastructure for government and commercial clients worldwide.
Why Could TTEK Be a Winner?
- Market share has increased this cycle as its 13.8% annual revenue growth over the last five years was exceptional
- Share buybacks catapulted its annual earnings per share growth to 24.3%, which outperformed its revenue gains over the last two years
- Strong free cash flow margin of 9.6% enables it to reinvest or return capital consistently
Tetra Tech is trading at $32.91 per share, or 21.4x forward P/E. Is now the right time to buy? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.
High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions
Your portfolio can’t afford to be based on yesterday’s story. The risk in a handful of heavily crowded stocks is rising daily.
The names generating the next wave of massive growth are right here in our Top 5 Strong Momentum Stocks for this week. 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 Comfort Systems (+782% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.
