The stocks featured in this article have all approached their 52-week highs. When these price levels hit, it typically signals strong business execution, positive market sentiment, or significant industry tailwinds.
However, not all companies with momentum are long-term winners, and many investors have lost money by following short-term trends. All that said, here is one stock with the fundamentals to back up its performance and two best left ignored.
Two Stocks to Sell:
Clean Harbors (CLH)
One-Month Return: +10.8%
Established in 1980, Clean Harbors (NYSE:CLH) provides environmental and industrial services like hazardous and non-hazardous waste disposal and emergency spill cleanups.
Why Are We Cautious About CLH?
- Core business is underperforming as its organic revenue has disappointed over the past two years, suggesting it might need acquisitions to stimulate growth
- Estimated sales growth of 3.4% for the next 12 months implies demand will slow from its two-year trend
- Earnings growth underperformed the sector average over the last two years as its EPS grew by just 5% annually
Clean Harbors’s stock price of $238.35 implies a valuation ratio of 30.6x forward P/E. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than CLH.
Markel Group (MKL)
One-Month Return: +7%
Often referred to as a "mini Berkshire Hathaway" for its three-engine business model of insurance, investments, and wholly-owned businesses, Markel Group (NYSE:MKL) is a specialty insurance company that underwrites complex risks, manages investment portfolios, and owns a diverse collection of operating businesses.
Why Does MKL Fall Short?
- Large revenue base constrains its growth potential, as seen in its unexciting 2.4% annualized increases in net premiums earned over the last two years fell below our expectations for the insurance sector
- Estimated sales growth of 1.4% for the next 12 months implies demand will slow from its two-year trend
- Earnings growth underperformed the sector average over the last two years as its EPS grew by just 13.2% annually
Markel Group is trading at $2,189 per share, or 1.5x forward P/B. To fully understand why you should be careful with MKL, check out our full research report (it’s free for active Edge members).
One Stock to Buy:
Astronics (ATRO)
One-Month Return: +10.5%
Integrating power outlets into many Boeing aircraft, Astronics (NASDAQ:ATRO) is a provider of technologies and services to the global aerospace, defense, and electronics industries.
Why Will ATRO Beat the Market?
- Market share has increased this cycle as its 12.9% annual revenue growth over the last two years was exceptional
- Free cash flow margin jumped by 10.4 percentage points over the last five years, giving the company more resources to pursue growth initiatives, repurchase shares, or pay dividends
- Returns on capital are increasing as management’s prior bets are starting to bear fruit
At $55.76 per share, Astronics trades at 23.7x 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 .
High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions
The market’s up big this year - but there’s a catch. Just 4 stocks account for half the S&P 500’s entire gain. That kind of concentration makes investors nervous, and for good reason. While everyone piles into the same crowded names, smart investors are hunting quality where no one’s looking - and paying a fraction of the price. Check out the high-quality names we’ve flagged in 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-micro-cap company Kadant (+351% 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.