A highly volatile stock can deliver big gains - or just as easily wipe out a portfolio if things go south. While some investors embrace risk, mistakes can be costly for those who aren’t prepared.
These stocks can be a rollercoaster, and StockStory is here to guide you through the ups and downs. Keeping that in mind, here are two volatile stocks with massive upside potential and one best left to the gamblers.
One Stock to Sell:
ON24 (ONTF)
Rolling One-Year Beta: 1.09
Powering over 1,700 companies' virtual marketing efforts since 1998, ON24 (NYSE:ONTF) provides a cloud-based platform that enables businesses to create interactive digital experiences and capture actionable data from customer engagement.
Why Do We Avoid ONTF?
- Products, pricing, or go-to-market strategy need some adjustments as its billings have averaged 3.3% declines over the last year
- Projected sales decline of 4.6% over the next 12 months indicates demand will continue deteriorating
- Historical operating margin losses point to an inefficient cost structure
ON24 is trading at $5.72 per share, or 1.8x forward price-to-sales. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why ONTF doesn’t pass our bar.
Two Stocks to Buy:
American Superconductor (AMSC)
Rolling One-Year Beta: 2.44
Founded in 1987, American Superconductor (NASDAQ:AMSC) has shifted from superconductor research to developing power systems, adapting to changing energy grid needs and naval technology requirements.
Why Will AMSC Beat the Market?
- Annual revenue growth of 49.8% over the past two years was outstanding, reflecting market share gains this cycle
- Free cash flow turned positive over the last five years, showing the company is at an important crossroads
- Improving returns on capital suggest its past investments are beginning to deliver value
American Superconductor’s stock price of $50.40 implies a valuation ratio of 87.5x forward P/E. Is now the right time to buy? See for yourself in our in-depth research report, it’s free.
IonQ (IONQ)
Rolling One-Year Beta: 2.36
Founded by quantum physics pioneers from the University of Maryland and Duke University in 2015, IonQ (NYSE:IONQ) develops quantum computers that process information using trapped ions to solve complex computational problems beyond the capabilities of traditional computers.
Why Do We Love IONQ?
- Market share has increased this cycle as its 78.9% annual revenue growth over the last two years was exceptional
- Adjusted operating profits and efficiency rose over the last five years as it benefited from some fixed cost leverage
- Cash-burning tendencies have improved over the last five years, showing it could become financially independent one day
At $42.70 per share, IonQ trades at 80x forward price-to-sales. Is now the time to initiate a position? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.
Stocks We Like Even More
Trump’s April 2025 tariff bombshell triggered a massive market selloff, but stocks have since staged an impressive recovery, leaving those who panic sold on the sidelines.
Take advantage of the rebound by checking out our Top 5 Growth Stocks for this month. 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-micro-cap company Kadant (+351% 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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