3 of Wall Street’s Favorite Stocks We Find Risky
Wall Street has set ambitious price targets for the stocks in this article. While this suggests attractive upside potential, it’s important to remain skeptical because analysts face institutional pressures that can sometimes lead to overly optimistic forecasts.
At StockStory, we look beyond the headlines with our independent analysis to determine whether these bullish calls are justified. That said, here are three stocks where Wall Street may be overlooking some important risks and some alternatives with better fundamentals.
RadNet (RDNT)
Consensus Price Target: $94.63 (25.3% implied return)
With over 350 imaging facilities across seven states and a growing artificial intelligence division, RadNet (NASDAQ:RDNT) operates a network of outpatient diagnostic imaging centers across the United States, offering services like MRI, CT scans, PET scans, mammography, and X-rays.
Why Is RDNT Not Exciting?
- Incremental sales over the last five years were much less profitable as its earnings per share fell by 7.8% annually while its revenue grew
- Low free cash flow margin of 1.9% for the last five years gives it little breathing room, constraining its ability to self-fund growth or return capital to shareholders
- Low returns on capital reflect management’s struggle to allocate funds effectively, and its decreasing returns suggest its historical profit centers are aging
RadNet is trading at $75.51 per share, or 110.2x forward P/E. If you’re considering RDNT for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.
Amentum (AMTM)
Consensus Price Target: $29.58 (48% implied return)
With operations spanning approximately 80 countries and a workforce of specialized engineers and technical experts, Amentum Holdings (NYSE:AMTM) provides advanced engineering and technology solutions to U.S. government agencies, allied governments, and commercial enterprises across defense, energy, and space sectors.
Why Do We Think Twice About AMTM?
- Sales were flat over the last two years, indicating it’s failed to expand this cycle
- Estimated sales decline of 1.3% for the next 12 months implies an even more challenging demand environment
- Lacking free cash flow generation means it has few chances to reinvest for growth, repurchase shares, or distribute capital
At $20.00 per share, Amentum trades at 7.9x forward P/E. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including AMTM in your portfolio.
Waste Connections (WCN)
Consensus Price Target: $200.60 (23.6% implied return)
Operating a network of municipal solid waste landfills in the U.S. and Canada, Waste Connections (NYSE:WCN) is North America's third-largest waste management company providing collection, disposal, and recycling services.
Why Does WCN Worry Us?
- Estimated sales growth of 5.8% for the next 12 months implies demand will slow from its two-year trend
- Capital intensity has ramped up over the last five years as its free cash flow margin decreased by 2.5 percentage points
- Underwhelming 6.6% return on capital reflects management’s difficulties in finding profitable growth opportunities, and its shrinking returns suggest its past profit sources are losing steam
Waste Connections’s stock price of $162.30 implies a valuation ratio of 28.3x forward P/E. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than WCN.
Stocks We Like More
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Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,460% between June 2020 and June 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-small-cap company Comfort Systems (+1,154% between June 2020 and June 2025). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.