Market swings can be tough to stomach, and volatile stocks often experience exaggerated moves in both directions. While many thrive during risk-on environments, many also struggle to maintain investor confidence when the ride gets bumpy.
These stocks can be a rollercoaster, and StockStory is here to guide you through the ups and downs. That said, here are two volatile stocks that could reward patient investors and one that could just as easily collapse.
One Stock to Sell:
MillerKnoll (MLKN)
Rolling One-Year Beta: 1.30
Created through the 2021 merger of industry icons Herman Miller and Knoll, MillerKnoll (NASDAQ: MLKN) designs, manufactures, and distributes interior furnishings for offices, healthcare facilities, educational settings, and homes worldwide.
Why Are We Cautious About MLKN?
- Flat sales over the last two years suggest it must find different ways to grow during this cycle
- Revenue growth over the past five years was nullified by the company’s new share issuances as its earnings per share fell by 8.4% annually
- Ability to fund investments or reward shareholders with increased buybacks or dividends is restricted by its weak free cash flow margin of 2.7% for the last five years
MillerKnoll is trading at $21.66 per share, or 10.3x forward P/E. If you’re considering MLKN for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.
Two Stocks to Watch:
agilon health (AGL)
Rolling One-Year Beta: 1.34
Transforming how doctors care for seniors by shifting financial incentives from volume to outcomes, agilon health (NYSE: AGL) provides a platform that helps primary care physicians transition to value-based care models for Medicare patients through long-term partnerships and global capitation arrangements.
Why Are We Fans of AGL?
- Market share has increased this cycle as its 37.2% annual revenue growth over the last five years was exceptional
- Average customer growth of 8.8% over the past two years demonstrates success in acquiring new clients that could increase their spending in the future
- Cash-burning tendencies have improved over the last five years, showing it could become financially independent one day
At $0.36 per share, agilon health trades at 0.7x forward EV-to-EBITDA. Is now a good time to buy? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.
American Express (AXP)
Rolling One-Year Beta: 1.37
Recognizable by its iconic green logo and the slogan "Don't leave home without it," American Express (NYSE: AXP) is a global payments company that issues credit and charge cards, processes merchant transactions, and offers travel and lifestyle benefits to consumers and businesses.
Why Are We Bullish on AXP?
- Market share has increased this cycle as its 16.4% annual revenue growth over the last five years was exceptional
- Share buybacks catapulted its annual earnings per share growth to 32.6%, which outperformed its revenue gains over the last five years
- Annual tangible book value per share growth of 21% over the last two years was superb and indicates its capital strength increased during this cycle
American Express’s stock price of $343.27 implies a valuation ratio of 19.2x forward P/E. Is now the time to initiate a position? See for yourself in our full research report, it’s free.
High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions
If your portfolio success hinges on just 4 stocks, your wealth is built on fragile ground. You have a small window to secure high-quality assets before the market widens and these prices disappear.
Don’t wait for the next volatility shock. Check out our Top 9 Market-Beating Stocks. 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.
