While strong cash flow is a key indicator of stability, it doesn’t always translate to superior returns. Some cash-heavy businesses struggle with inefficient spending, slowing demand, or weak competitive positioning.
Not all companies are created equal, and StockStory is here to surface the ones with real upside. Keeping that in mind, here are three cash-producing companies to steer clear of and a few better alternatives.
8x8 (EGHT)
Trailing 12-Month Free Cash Flow Margin: 7.4%
Named after its founding year (1987) with "8x8" representing binary code for communications, 8x8 (NASDAQ: EGHT) provides cloud-based contact center and unified communications solutions that enable businesses to manage customer interactions and internal communications through a single platform.
Why Do We Think EGHT Will Underperform?
- Average billings growth of 1.3% over the last year was subpar, suggesting it struggled to push its software and might have to lower prices to stimulate demand
- Demand will likely be soft over the next 12 months as Wall Street’s estimates imply tepid growth of 1.4%
- Static operating margin over the last year shows it couldn’t become more efficient
8x8 is trading at $2.01 per share, or 0.4x forward price-to-sales. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why EGHT doesn’t pass our bar.
Invesco (IVZ)
Trailing 12-Month Free Cash Flow Margin: 39.9%
With roots dating back to 1935 when it pioneered the first mutual fund with an objective of capital growth, Invesco (NYSE: IVZ) is a global asset management firm that offers investment solutions across equities, fixed income, alternatives, and multi-asset strategies.
Why Do We Steer Clear of IVZ?
- Products and services are facing end-market challenges during this cycle, as seen in its flat sales over the last five years
- Earnings per share fell by 1.5% annually over the last five years while its revenue was flat, showing each sale was less profitable
- High net-debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 5× increases the risk of forced asset sales or dilutive financing if operational performance weakens
At $33.38 per share, Invesco trades at 10.9x forward P/E. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including IVZ in your portfolio.
Bristow Group (VTOL)
Trailing 12-Month Free Cash Flow Margin: 7.3%
Operating what's essentially an airborne taxi service for some of the world's most remote workplaces, Bristow Group (NYSE: VTOL) operates helicopters that transport workers to offshore oil and gas platforms and conduct search and rescue operations.
Why Should You Sell VTOL?
- 6.1% annual revenue growth over the last five years was slower than its energy upstream and integrated energy peers
- Smaller revenue base of $1.56 billion means it hasn’t achieved the economies of scale that some industry juggernauts enjoy
- Poor free cash flow margin of 0% for the last five years limits its freedom to invest in growth initiatives, execute share buybacks, or pay dividends
Bristow Group’s stock price of $45.88 implies a valuation ratio of 5.9x forward EV-to-EBITDA. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than VTOL.
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