The S&P 500 (^GSPC) is often seen as a benchmark for strong businesses, but that doesn’t mean every stock is worth owning. Some companies face significant challenges, whether it’s stagnating growth, heavy debt, or disruptive new competitors.

Picking the right S&P 500 stocks requires more than just buying big names, and that’s where StockStory comes in. Keeping that in mind, here are two S&P 500 stocks positioned to outperform and one that could be in trouble.

One Stock to Sell:

Campbell's (CPB)

Market Cap: $9.17 billion

With its iconic canned soup as its cornerstone product, Campbell's (NASDAQ: CPB) is a packaged food company with an illustrious portfolio of brands.

Why Are We Out on CPB?

1. Falling unit sales over the past two years suggest it might have to lower prices to stimulate growth
2. Forecasted revenue decline of 3.1% for the upcoming 12 months implies demand will fall off a cliff
3. Incremental sales over the last three years were less profitable as its 1.6% annual earnings per share growth lagged its revenue gains

Campbell’s stock price of $30.96 implies a valuation ratio of 12.5x forward P/E. To fully understand why you should be careful with CPB, check out our full research report (it’s free for active Edge members).

Two Stocks to Watch:

Capital One (COF)

Market Cap: $128.6 billion

Starting as a credit card company in 1988 before expanding into a full-service bank, Capital One (NYSE: COF) is a financial services company that offers credit cards, auto loans, banking services, and commercial lending to consumers and businesses.

Why Does COF Stand Out?

1. Impressive 15% annual revenue growth over the last two years indicates it’s winning market share this cycle
2. Performance over the past five years shows its incremental sales were extremely profitable, as its annual earnings per share growth of 44.9% outpaced its revenue gains
3. Management team has demonstrated it can invest in profitable ventures through its 10.9% five-year return on equity

Capital One is trading at $204.92 per share, or 10.2x forward P/E. Is now the time to initiate a position? Find out in our full research report, it’s free for active Edge members.

Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB)

Market Cap: $27.29 billion

Named after the merger of Third National Bank and Fifth National Bank in 1908, Fifth Third Bancorp (NASDAQ: FITB) is a financial services company that provides banking, lending, wealth management, and investment services to individuals and businesses across the Midwest and Southeast.

Why Should FITB Be on Your Watchlist?

1. Projected net interest income growth of 27.8% for the next 12 months is above its five-year trend, pointing to accelerating demand
2. Share repurchases have increased shareholder returns as its annual earnings per share growth of 6.6% exceeded its revenue gains over the last five years
3. Market-beating return on equity illustrates that management has a knack for investing in profitable ventures

At $41.48 per share, Fifth Third Bancorp trades at 1.4x forward P/B. Is now a good time to buy? See for yourself in our comprehensive research report, it’s free for active Edge members .

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 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-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

StockStory is growing and hiring equity analyst and marketing roles. Are you a 0 to 1 builder passionate about the markets and AI? See the open roles here.