1 S&P 500 Stock to Own for Decades and 2 We Question

The S&P 500 (^GSPC) is home to the biggest and most well-known companies in the market, making it a go-to index for investors seeking stability. But not all large-cap stocks are created equal - some are struggling with slowing growth, declining margins, or increased competition.

Picking the right S&P 500 stocks requires more than just buying big names, and that’s where StockStory comes in. That said, here is one S&P 500 stock that could deliver good returns and two best left off your watchlist.

Two Stocks to Sell:

Bio-Techne (TECH)

Market Cap: $9.27 billion

With a catalog of hundreds of thousands of specialized biological products used in laboratories worldwide, Bio-Techne (NASDAQ:TECH) develops and manufactures specialized reagents, instruments, and services that help researchers study biological processes and enable diagnostic testing and cell therapy development.

Why Should You Dump TECH?

1. Core business is underperforming as its organic revenue has disappointed over the past two years, suggesting it might need acquisitions to stimulate growth
2. Smaller revenue base of $1.22 billion means it hasn’t achieved the economies of scale that some industry juggernauts enjoy
3. 11.6 percentage point decline in its free cash flow margin over the last five years reflects the company’s increased investments to defend its market position

Bio-Techne’s stock price of $59.26 implies a valuation ratio of 27.9x forward P/E. If you’re considering TECH for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.

Gartner (IT)

Market Cap: $10.44 billion

With over 2,500 research experts guiding organizations through complex technology landscapes, Gartner (NYSE:IT) provides research, advisory services, and conferences that help executives make better decisions about technology and other business priorities.

Why Do We Think Twice About IT?

1. Constant currency growth was below our standards over the past two years, suggesting it might need to invest in product improvements to get back on track
2. Projected sales are flat for the next 12 months, implying demand will slow from its two-year trend
3. Free cash flow margin shrank by 8.4 percentage points over the last five years, suggesting the company is consuming more capital to stay competitive

At $154.33 per share, Gartner trades at 11.8x forward P/E. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including IT in your portfolio.

One Stock to Buy:

Arthur J. Gallagher (AJG)

Market Cap: $56.93 billion

Founded in 1927 and operating in approximately 130 countries through direct operations and correspondent networks, Arthur J. Gallagher (NYSE:AJG) provides insurance brokerage, reinsurance, consulting, and third-party claims settlement services to businesses and individuals worldwide.

Why Will AJG Beat the Market?

1. Impressive 17.9% annual revenue growth over the last two years indicates it’s winning market share this cycle
2. Earnings growth has trumped its peers over the last five years as its EPS has compounded at 17.7% annually
3. Impressive free cash flow profitability enables the company to fund new investments or reward investors with share buybacks/dividends

Arthur J. Gallagher is trading at $223.07 per share, or 17x forward P/E. Is now the time to initiate a position? See for yourself in our full research report, it’s free.

Stocks We Like Even More

ALSO WORTH WATCHING: Top 5 Momentum Stocks. The best time to own a great stock is when the market is finally noticing it. These aren't just high-quality businesses. Something is happening with them right now. Elite fundamentals meeting near-term momentum — both boxes checked at the same time.

Find out which stocks our AI platform is flagging this week. See this week's Strong Momentum stocks — FREE. Get Our Strong Momentum Stocks for Free HERE.

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 Exlservice (+354% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.