Value stocks typically trade at discounts to the broader market, offering patient investors the opportunity to buy businesses when they’re out of favor. The key risk, however, is that these stocks are usually cheap for a reason – five cents for a piece of fruit may seem like a great deal until you find out it’s rotten.

Identifying genuine bargains from value traps is something many investors struggle with, which is why we started StockStory - to help you find the best companies. Keeping that in mind, here are three value stocks climbing an uphill battle and some other investments you should look into instead.

Rapid7 (RPD)

Forward P/S Ratio: 1.1x

With its name inspired by the need for quick responses to cyber threats, Rapid7 (NASDAQ: RPD) provides cybersecurity software and services that help organizations detect vulnerabilities, monitor threats, and respond to security incidents.

Why Do We Pass on RPD?

1. Average billings growth of 3% over the last year was subpar, suggesting it struggled to push its software and might have to lower prices to stimulate demand
2. Demand is forecasted to shrink as its estimated sales for the next 12 months are flat
3. Expenses have increased as a percentage of revenue over the last year as its operating margin fell by 2.6 percentage points

At $14.37 per share, Rapid7 trades at 1.1x forward price-to-sales. If you’re considering RPD for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (GLDD)

Forward P/E Ratio: 14.5x

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?

1. Sales pipeline suggests its future revenue growth may not meet our standards as its average backlog growth of 4.2% for the past two years was weak
2. High input costs result in an inferior gross margin of 16.9% that must be offset through higher volumes
3. Cash burn makes us question whether it can achieve sustainable long-term growth

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock is trading at $13.40 per share, or 14.5x forward P/E. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why GLDD doesn’t pass our bar.

KB Home (KBH)

Forward P/E Ratio: 13.7x

The first homebuilder to be listed on the NYSE, KB Home (NYSE: KB) is a homebuilding company targeting the first-time home buyer and move-up buyer markets.

Why Do We Steer Clear of KBH?

1. Demand cratered as it couldn’t win new orders over the past two years, leading to an average 21.6% decline in its backlog
2. Earnings per share have contracted by 4.1% annually over the last two years, a headwind for returns as stock prices often echo long-term EPS performance
3. Waning returns on capital imply its previous profit engines are losing steam

KB Home’s stock price of $57.36 implies a valuation ratio of 13.7x forward P/E. If you’re considering KBH for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.

Stocks We Like More

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 5 Strong Momentum Stocks for this week. 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 Tecnoglass (+1,754% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.