The Nasdaq 100 (^NDX) is known for housing some of the most innovative and fastest-growing companies in the market. But not every stock in the index is a winner - some are struggling with slowing growth, increasing competition, or unsustainable valuations.
Investing in Nasdaq 100 stocks isn’t just about picking big names - it’s about finding the right ones, and that’s where StockStory comes in. That said, here are three Nasdaq 100 stocks that don’t make the cut and some better choices instead.
Intel (INTC)
Market Cap: $576.4 billion
Inventor of the x86 processor that powered decades of technological innovation in PCs, data centers, and numerous other markets, Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) is a leading manufacturer of computer processors and graphics chips.
Why Is INTC Risky?
- Customers postponed purchases of its products and services this cycle as its revenue declined by 5.9% annually over the last five years
- Sales were less profitable over the last five years as its earnings per share fell by 35.9% annually, worse than its revenue declines
- 19.7 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
Intel is trading at $115.40 per share, or 114.8x forward P/E. If you’re considering INTC for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.
Kraft Heinz (KHC)
Market Cap: $28.47 billion
The result of a 2015 mega-merger between Kraft and Heinz, Kraft Heinz (NASDAQ:KHC) is a packaged foods giant whose products span coffee to cheese to packaged meat.
Why Should You Dump KHC?
- Shrinking unit sales over the past two years show it’s struggled to move its products and had to rely on price increases
- Sales are expected to decline once again over the next 12 months as it continues working through a challenging demand environment
- Overall productivity fell over the last year as its plummeting sales were accompanied by a decline in its operating margin
Kraft Heinz’s stock price of $24.04 implies a valuation ratio of 12.1x forward P/E. To fully understand why you should be careful with KHC, check out our full research report (it’s free).
Regeneron (REGN)
Market Cap: $62.55 billion
Founded by scientists who wanted to build a company where science could thrive, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:REGN) develops and commercializes medicines for serious diseases, with key products treating eye conditions, allergic diseases, cancer, and other disorders.
Why Are We Cautious About REGN?
- Scale is a double-edged sword because it limits the company’s growth potential compared to its smaller competitors, as reflected in its below-average annual revenue increases of 6.7% for the last two years
- Capital intensity has ramped up over the last five years as its free cash flow margin decreased by 20.5 percentage points
- Waning returns on capital imply its previous profit engines are losing steam
At $616.12 per share, Regeneron trades at 12.8x forward P/E. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than REGN.
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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-micro-cap company Tecnoglass (+1,754% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.