Choosing the right stocks can help you grow your wealth, but holding onto the wrong ones can be a costly mistake. Some stocks don’t just underperform—they can drain your portfolio and erase your hard-earned gains faster than you realize.
The reality is, many investors overlook the warning signs, and by the time you hear about the risks, it’s often too late. Some of these problematic stocks might even be popular names, regularly making headlines for all the wrong reasons.
We’ve put together a list of stocks that we believe you should consider selling or avoiding right now. If any of these are in your portfolio, it might be time to rethink your position before they start dragging you down.
Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) Holiday Discounts Signal Potential Weakness
Gap Inc. saw its stock rise over 6% this week, bringing its year-to-date gain to more than 23%. However, recent Black Friday weekend data raises concerns about the retailer’s performance during this critical shopping season. Gap leaned harder on discounts across several of its brands, including Old Navy, Athleta, and Banana Republic, offering larger price cuts as the weekend progressed—an indication that sales may have underperformed initial expectations.
While aggressive discounting can drive short-term sales, it often signals weaker-than-expected demand and can pressure margins. Analysts remain cautious on Gap, with most holding a neutral stance and the average price target suggesting only modest upside of 8.5%.
Given these concerns and the uncertain outlook for the rest of the holiday season, Gap’s recent rally may not be sustainable. Investors might want to consider locking in gains and looking for opportunities with stronger fundamentals and more predictable growth.
C3.ai (NYSE: AI) Valuation Concerns Overshadow Growth Potential
C3.ai has enjoyed a strong run in 2024, with shares up 45% year-to-date. However, the stock’s valuation appears increasingly difficult to justify, raising concerns about its ability to sustain this momentum. Trading at levels that imply a significant premium over peers, C3.ai’s current price may already be pricing in a best-case growth scenario that is far from guaranteed.
While the company has shown improved revenue growth recently, much of that progress has come at high incremental costs, and its growth rate still lags behind competitors of much larger scale. JPMorgan recently downgraded the stock to underweight, maintaining a $28 price target—33% below its current trading price.
C3.ai’s exposure to the rapidly expanding AI market is promising, but its uneven growth and margin performance leave questions about its long-term potential. For investors, the risk of a pullback seems higher than the reward at these valuation levels. Taking profits or steering clear for now might be the prudent choice.
Walgreens Boots Alliance (NASDAQ: WBA) Too Many Risks, Too Few Catalysts
Walgreens Boots Alliance has had a brutal 2024, with its stock plunging 65%, making it the worst performer in the S&P 500 this year. The company is struggling on multiple fronts: it’s posted losses in three of the last four quarters, slashed its dividend earlier in the year, and faces intense competitive pressures from Amazon’s push into same-day prescription delivery.
Walgreens’ healthcare clinic strategy has also failed to deliver meaningful results, and there’s growing speculation it could be abandoned altogether. While new CEO Tim Wentworth may eventually outline a turnaround plan, there’s currently no clear path to profitability or long-term growth.
With too many risks and no near-term catalysts, Walgreens remains a stock to avoid. It’s tempting to view it as a contrarian opportunity, but until management can demonstrate a sustainable strategy, the outlook remains bleak.