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Investors who buy stocks typically do so for one of two reasons: They believe that the price will rise and allow them to sell the stock at a profit, or they intend to collect the dividends paid on the stock as investment income.
Of course, some stocks can satisfy both objectives, at least to some extent, but most stocks can be classified into one of three categories: growth, income, or value. Those who understand the characteristics of each type of stock can use this knowledge to grow their portfolios more efficiently.
Key Takeaways
- Stocks generally fall into three main categories—growth, value, and income.
- Growth stocks focus on reinvesting earnings to expand rapidly, often found in sectors like technology and biotech.
- Value stocks trade below their perceived worth, offering opportunities when market perception drives prices down temporarily.
- Income stocks, such as utilities and preferred shares, provide steady dividends but may lose value when interest rates rise.
- Investors can identify suitable stocks by researching financial ratios, dividend yields, and industry trends using tools like stock screeners and analyst reports.
Growth Stocks
As the name implies, growth companies, by definition, are those that have substantial potential for growth in the foreseeable future. Growth companies may currently be growing at a faster rate than the overall market, and they often devote most of their current revenue toward further expansion. Every sector of the market has growth companies, but they are more prevalent in some areas, such as technology, alternative energy, and biotechnology.
Most growth stocks tend to be newer companies with innovative products expected to impact the market in the future, but there are exceptions. Some growth companies are very well-run entities with good business models that have capitalized on the demand for their products.
Note
Growth stocks can provide substantial returns on capital, but many of them are smaller, less stable companies that may also experience severe price declines.
An example of a growth company:
- Amazon.com Inc (AMZN): This tech juggernaut continues to add features, open new markets, and take customers from other retail-oriented companies. As of Sept. 17, 2025, the trailing P/E of 35.68 reflected this astounding growth potential, compared to the S&P 500 trailing P/E of 25.10.
Value Stocks
Undervalued companies can often provide long-term profits for those who do their homework. A value stock trades at a price below where it appears it should be based on its financial status and technical trading indicators. It may have high dividend payout ratios or low financial ratios such as price-to-book or price-earnings ratios. The stock price may also have dropped due to public perception regarding factors that have little to do with the company’s current operations.
For example, the stock price of a well-run, financially sound company may drop substantially for a short time period if the company CEO becomes embroiled in a serious personal scandal. Smart investors know that this may be a good time to buy the stock, as there is a chance that the public will eventually forget about the incident and the price will possibly revert to its previous level.
Of course, the definition of what exactly is a good value for a given stock is somewhat subjective and varies according to the investor’s philosophy and point of view.
Note
Value stocks are typically considered to carry less risk than growth stocks because they are usually those of larger, more-established companies. However, their prices do not always return to their previous higher levels as expected.
Income Stocks
Investors look to income stocks to bolster their fixed-income portfolios with dividend yields that typically exceed those of guaranteed instruments such as Treasury securities or CDs.
There are two main types of income stocks. Utility stocks are common stocks that have historically remained fairly stable in price but usually pay competitive dividends. Preferred stocks are hybrid securities that behave more like bonds than stocks. They often have a call or put features or other characteristics, but also pay competitive yields.
Although income stocks can be an attractive alternative for investors unwilling to risk their principal, their values can decline when interest rates rise.
One example of a good income stock:
- Verizon (VZ): The company is financially sound, carries a reasonable amount of debt, and pays an annual dividend yield of 6.31%, as of Sept. 17, 2025.
How To Find Stocks in These Categories
There is no one right way to discover specific types of stocks. Those who want growth can peruse investing websites or bulletin boards for lists of growth companies, then do their own homework on them. Many analysts also publish blogs and newsletters that tout stocks in each of the three categories.
Investors looking for income can calculate the dividend yields on common and preferred offerings, and then evaluate the amount of risk in the security. There are also stock screening programs available that investors can use to search for stocks according to specific criteria, such as dividend yields or financial ratios.
What Is the 7% Rule in Stocks?
The 7% rule is a guideline to limit losses when investing in the stock market. According to this rule, investors should sell any stock that dips below 7% (or sometimes 8%) of the price they paid for it. Investors can do this automatically using stop-loss orders.
Is It Better To Invest for Growth or Income?
Investors may decide to invest for growth, income, or a combination of the two priorities. Specifics depend on investing goals, risk tolerance, timeline, and other factors. For example, someone who is closer to retirement has a shorter time horizon for compounding to work its magic. They might therefore be interested in rebalancing their portfolio with income in mind.
What Is Warren Buffett’s Golden Rule?
Warren Buffett famously said, “Rule No. 1: Never lose money. Rule No. 2: Never forget Rule No. 1.” The Oracle of Omaha is known to do extensive research on companies before he invests, only buying stock if he’s able to write down why he would pay a specific price per share.
The Bottom Line
Stocks can provide a return on capital from future growth, current undervaluation, or dividend income. Many stocks offer some combination of these, and smart investors know that dividends can make a substantial difference in the total return they receive.
