The S&P 500 (^GSPC) is home to the biggest and most well-known companies in the market, making it a go-to index for investors seeking stability. But not all large-cap stocks are created equal - some are struggling with slowing growth, declining margins, or increased competition.

Some large-cap stocks are past their peak, and StockStory is here to help you separate the winners from the laggards. Keeping that in mind, here is one S&P 500 stock that could deliver good returns and two that could be in trouble.

Two Stocks to Sell:

Fortive (FTV)

Market Cap: $16.25 billion

Taking its name from the Latin root of "strong", Fortive (NYSE: FTV) manufactures products and develops industrial software for numerous industries.

Why Do We Pass on FTV?

1. Organic sales performance over the past two years indicates the company may need to make strategic adjustments or rely on M&A to catalyze faster growth
2. Estimated sales growth of 2.1% for the next 12 months is soft and implies weaker demand
3. Low returns on capital reflect management’s struggle to allocate funds effectively, and its falling returns suggest its earlier profit pools are drying up

Fortive’s stock price of $48.10 implies a valuation ratio of 17.8x forward P/E. If you’re considering FTV for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.

CooperCompanies (COO)

Market Cap: $14.66 billion

With a history dating back to 1958 and a portfolio spanning two distinct healthcare segments, Cooper Companies (NASDAQ: COO) develops and manufactures medical devices focused on vision care through contact lenses and women's health including fertility products and services.

Why Does COO Worry Us?

1. 6.4 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
2. Low returns on capital reflect management’s struggle to allocate funds effectively

CooperCompanies is trading at $73.50 per share, or 17.5x forward P/E. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why COO doesn’t pass our bar.

One Stock to Watch:

Take-Two (TTWO)

Market Cap: $42.18 billion

Best known for its Grand Theft Auto and NBA 2K franchises, Take Two (NASDAQ: TTWO) is one of the world’s largest video game publishers.

Why Do We Watch TTWO?

1. Platform and reputation resonate with consumers, as seen in its above-market 15.2% annual sales growth over the last three years
2. Market share is on track to rise over the next 12 months as its 33.7% projected revenue growth implies demand will accelerate from its three-year trend
3. Highly efficient business model is illustrated by its impressive 14.3% EBITDA margin

At $228.62 per share, Take-Two trades at 29.1x forward EV/EBITDA. Is now a good time to buy? See for yourself in our full research report, it’s free.

High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions

When Trump unveiled his aggressive tariff plan in April 2025, markets tanked as investors feared a full-blown trade war. But those who panicked and sold missed the subsequent rebound that’s already erased most losses.

Don’t let fear keep you from great opportunities and take a look at Top 6 Stocks for this week. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 183% over the last five years (as of March 31st 2025).

Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-small-cap company Comfort Systems (+782% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today for free. Find your next big winner with StockStory today. Find your next big winner with StockStory today

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