1 Cash-Producing Stock for Long-Term Investors and 2 We Turn Down

Generating cash is essential for any business, but not all cash-rich companies are great investments. Some produce plenty of cash but fail to allocate it effectively, leading to missed opportunities.

Luckily for you, we built StockStory to help you separate the good from the bad. That said, here is one cash-producing company that excels at turning cash into shareholder value and two that may face some trouble.

Two Stocks to Sell:

CooperCompanies (COO)

Trailing 12-Month Free Cash Flow Margin: 11.8%

With a history dating back to 1958 and a portfolio spanning two distinct healthcare segments, Cooper Companies (NASDAQ:COO) develops and manufactures medical devices focused on vision care through contact lenses and women's health including fertility products and services.

Why Does COO Give Us Pause?

1. Muted 6.4% annual revenue growth over the last two years shows its demand lagged behind its healthcare peers
2. 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
3. Below-average returns on capital indicate management struggled to find compelling investment opportunities

CooperCompanies’s stock price of $62.16 implies a valuation ratio of 13.4x forward P/E. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than COO.

Amphastar Pharmaceuticals (AMPH)

Trailing 12-Month Free Cash Flow Margin: 16.8%

Founded in 1996 and known for its expertise in complex drug formulations, Amphastar Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:AMPH) develops and manufactures technically challenging injectable and inhalation medications, including both generic and proprietary pharmaceutical products.

Why Does AMPH Fall Short?

1. 5.4% annual revenue growth over the last two years was slower than its healthcare peers
2. Smaller revenue base of $719.9 million means it hasn’t achieved the economies of scale that some industry juggernauts enjoy
3. Expenses have increased as a percentage of revenue over the last two years as its adjusted operating margin fell by 6.4 percentage points

At $21.38 per share, Amphastar Pharmaceuticals trades at 6.7x forward P/E. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why AMPH doesn’t pass our bar.

One Stock to Watch:

Caterpillar (CAT)

Trailing 12-Month Free Cash Flow Margin: 13%

With its iconic yellow machinery working on construction sites, Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) manufactures construction equipment like bulldozers, excavators, and parts and maintenance services.

Why Do We Watch CAT?

1. Highly efficient business model is illustrated by its impressive 16.9% operating margin, and its operating leverage amplified its profits over the last five years
2. Free cash flow margin increased by 4.9 percentage points over the last five years, giving the company more capital to invest or return to shareholders
3. ROIC punches in at 36.6%, illustrating management’s expertise in identifying profitable investments

Caterpillar is trading at $889.06 per share, or 35.6x forward P/E. Is now the time to initiate a position? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.

Stocks We Like Even More

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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.