1 Surging Stock with Solid Fundamentals and 2 We Brush Off
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.
However, not all companies with momentum are long-term winners, and many investors have lost money by following short-term trends. On that note, here is one stock with lasting competitive advantages and two that may correct.
One-Month Return: +5.7%
Founded as Lydon & Drews dredging company, Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (NASDAQ:GLDD) provides dredging services, land reclamation, and coastal protection projects in the United States and internationally.
Why Does GLDD Worry Us?
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Backlog growth averaged a weak 4.2% over the past two years, suggesting it may need to tweak its product roadmap or go-to-market strategy
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Gross margin of 16.9% is below its competitors, leaving less money to invest in areas like marketing and R&D
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Cash-burning history makes us doubt the long-term viability of its business model
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock’s stock price of $11.66 implies a valuation ratio of 13.2x forward P/E. To fully understand why you should be careful with GLDD, check out our full research report (it’s free for active Edge members).
One-Month Return: +8%
Founded during the Roaring Twenties in 1923 and weathering nearly a century of economic cycles, Old Republic International (NYSE:ORI) is a diversified insurance holding company that provides property, liability, title, and mortgage guaranty insurance through its various subsidiaries.
Why Are We Hesitant About ORI?
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Growth in insurance policies was lackluster over the last five years as its 3.3% annual growth underperformed the typical financial institution
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Earnings growth underperformed the sector average over the last two years as its EPS grew by just 9.9% annually
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Projected book value per share decline of 1% for the next 12 months points to tough credit quality challenges ahead
At $45.09 per share, Old Republic International trades at 1.7x forward P/B. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including ORI in your portfolio, it’s free for active Edge members.
One-Month Return: +5.7%
Founded in 1950 by independent insurance agents seeking stable market options for their clients, Cincinnati Financial (NASDAQ:CINF) provides property casualty insurance, life insurance, and related financial services through independent agencies across 46 states.

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