Stability is great, but low-volatility stocks may struggle to deliver market-beating returns over time as they sometimes underperform during bull markets.
Luckily for you, StockStory helps you navigate which companies are truly worth holding. Keeping that in mind, here is one low-volatility stock that could succeed under all market conditions and two that may not keep up.
Two Healthcare Stocks to Sell:
Artivion (AORT)
Rolling One-Year Beta: 0.73
Formerly known as CryoLife until its 2022 rebranding, Artivion (NYSE: AORT) develops and manufactures medical devices and preserves human tissues used in cardiac and vascular surgical procedures for patients with aortic disease.
Why Does AORT Give Us Pause?
- Modest revenue base of $422.6 million gives it less fixed cost leverage and fewer distribution channels than larger companies
- Ability to fund investments or reward shareholders with increased buybacks or dividends is restricted by its weak free cash flow margin of 0.1% for the last five years
- Underwhelming 2.3% return on capital reflects management’s difficulties in finding profitable growth opportunities
At $46.32 per share, Artivion trades at 61.8x forward P/E. If you’re considering AORT for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.
CONMED (CNMD)
Rolling One-Year Beta: 0.71
With over five decades of experience in surgical innovation since its founding in 1970, CONMED (NYSE: CNMD) develops and manufactures medical devices and equipment for surgical procedures, specializing in orthopedic and general surgery products.
Why Do We Think Twice About CNMD?
- 7.4% annual revenue growth over the last two years was slower than its healthcare peers
- Smaller revenue base of $1.35 billion means it hasn’t achieved the economies of scale that some industry juggernauts enjoy
- Estimated sales growth of 1.8% for the next 12 months implies demand will slow from its two-year trend
CONMED’s stock price of $40.78 implies a valuation ratio of 9.2x forward P/E. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including CNMD in your portfolio.
One Healthcare Stock to Watch:
The Ensign Group (ENSG)
Rolling One-Year Beta: 0.41
Founded in 1999 and named after a naval term for a flag-bearing ship, The Ensign Group (NASDAQ: ENSG) operates skilled nursing facilities, senior living communities, and rehabilitation services across 15 states, primarily serving high-acuity patients recovering from various medical conditions.
Why Are We Positive On ENSG?
- Unit sales averaged 11.8% growth over the past two years and imply healthy demand for its products
- Exciting sales outlook for the upcoming 12 months calls for 22.7% growth, an acceleration from its two-year trend
- Earnings growth has massively outpaced its peers over the last five years as its EPS has compounded at 15.5% annually
The Ensign Group is trading at $174.70 per share, or 24.9x forward P/E. Is now the time to initiate a position? See for yourself in our in-depth research report, it’s free for active Edge members.
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 Growth Stocks for this month. 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.
