As the stock market grows, savvy market watchers must know that all that glitters is not gold. In the landscape of soaring indices, certain stocks represent ticking time bombs, laden with issues that could lead to significant declines when the market cools off.

The market’s current exuberance masks underlying vulnerabilities in several sectors, where companies face critical challenges ranging from operational inefficiencies to overstretched valuations. General market trends or temporary catalysts may have buoyed these stocks. Still, as the broader financial climate shifts, they are poised to falter, carrying a significant risk of loss.

Investors should be particularly wary of stocks showing signs of bloated valuations with no fundamental earnings support and companies struggling under excessive debt. Steering clear of these high-risk investments can be prudent as the market approaches a potential downturn. Here are three stocks that appear too toxic to touch, poised for a downturn when the market inevitably shifts from its current highs.

NIO (NIO)

NIO (NYSE:NIO) has been navigating a tumultuous period marked by declining revenues, intensified competition and significant financial losses. Despite efforts to expand its product line and enter new markets, the company’s performance continues to lag behind industry leaders, raising concerns about its prospects.

NIO’s path to profitability remains uncertain amidst its current financial challenges. The company’s continuous operational losses and declining cash reserves highlight the need for strategic capital raises, which could lead to further shareholder dilution.

NIO’s first quarter results in 2024 revealed an 8.7% year-over-year (YoY) decline in total revenues, falling short of market expectations by $75 million. Vehicle sales suffered due to a decrease in average selling prices, attributed to adjustments in user rights since June 2023. The company’s operational losses widened, with NIO posting a net loss of $728 million, approximately 9% worse than the previous year.

The company’s guidance for Q2 2024 showed mixed signals. NIO projected revenues between $2.297 billion and $2.373 billion, well ahead of the average street estimate of $1.99 billion. However, vehicle delivery guidance of 54,000 to 56,000 units was somewhat disappointing given that April and May combined already accounted for over 36,150 deliveries.

GameStop (GME)

GameStop (NYSE:GME) has recently captured the market’s attention again following a dramatic uptick in stock price driven by speculation and investor frenzy. Despite this surge, GameStop’s underlying financial health and business model are exposed to significant risks.

In the first quarter of 2024, GameStop reported a 29% revenue decline to $881.8 million, primarily due to intense competition from e-commerce and online gaming platforms. The company’s operating loss for the quarter was reported at $32.3 million, reflecting ongoing struggles to adapt to the rapidly evolving retail landscape.

GameStop’s challenges are compounded by the shift towards digital gaming, which has significantly reduced the demand for physical game sales, traditionally GameStop’s forte. Competitors with robust online platforms continue to erode GameStop’s market share, making it difficult for the company to regain footing.

GameStop’s valuation has surged in the short term, but this increase appears disconnected from its financial realities. The company is trading at multiples significantly above historical averages without corresponding improvements in financial performance.

AMC Entertainment (AMC)

AMC Entertainment (NYSE:AMC) has recently been on a roller coaster ride. The company’s survival hinges on continued aggressive financial restructuring and capital market activities. Despite some positive moves to reduce debt, the overall outlook remains grim due to persistent operating losses and heavy competition from streaming services.

AMC’s Q1 2024 results highlight the company’s ongoing struggles. Revenue was essentially flat compared to Q1 2023, with $951.4 million reported. However, the net loss was substantial at $163.5 million, a slight improvement from the previous year’s $235.5 million.

So far in 2024, box office results have been dismal. The drop can largely be attributed to the SAG-AFTRA strike pushing many movie releases to later in the year. While the domestic box office is expected to pick up with a stronger slate of movies like “Inside Out 2,” projections still put the domestic box office at around $8.2 billion for the entire year, down -10% from 2023.

Hence, avoiding AMC stock is financially prudent, given the current financial pressures and competitive dynamics.

On the date of publication, Mohammed Saqib did not hold (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.com Publishing Guidelines.