The market is preparing for SpaceX's first report as a public company on Tuesday, Aug. 4.
The stock is expensive at 73 times trailing-12-month sales, and you can find better options.
All three of the companies below offer fantastic opportunities for long-term investors.
Space Exploration Technologies (NASDAQ: SPCX), aka SpaceX, might be the most hyped-up stock ever; it was the largest initial public offering (IPO) ever, by far, and the stakes are large as it drops its first earnings report as a public company on Aug. 4. With a high valuation and equally high expectations, SpaceX's stock reaction to the report could send ripples through the broader stock market.
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However, there are plenty of lower-profile stocks that look like much better buys. Consider e.l.f. Beauty (NYSE: ELF), On Holding (NYSE: ONON), and Dutch Bros (NYSE: BROS). They're all growing faster than SpaceX but are much cheaper.
| Stock | Price-to-sales ratio | Most recent quarterly sales growth |
|---|---|---|
| SpaceX | 73 | 15% |
| e.l.f. Beauty | 3 | 35% |
| On Holding | 3 | 26% |
| Dutch Bros | 5 | 31% |
Data source: SpaceX filings; e.l.f., On, and Dutch Bros quarterly reports; and YCharts. Growth is year over year.
E.l.f. is a top cosmetics company hiding in plain sight, or at least in your local pharmacy. The makeup powerhouse has been growing rapidly, outperforming many established brands to reach the No. 1 spot for many product types despite being a relative newcomer.
Sales increased 35% year over year in the 2026 fiscal fourth quarter (ended March 31), and gross margin expanded 1.4 percentage points to 73%. That was a welcome relief, because high tariffs have negatively impacted e.l.f.'s margins. It's generally stringent about its low prices, but it successfully raised some prices to counteract the negative impact.
The good news is that the impact will be lower, as comparisons going forward will be against the higher-tariff environment. E.l.f. stock is down 28% over the past year, but it's been climbing back up, and it has a massive long-term opportunity.
Similarly, On Holding is a relatively new player in athletic wear, and it's challenging the incumbents. While Nike has been reporting sluggish or nonexistent sales growth and Lululemon Athletica has lost traction in its core North American market, On posted a 26% year-over-year sales increase (currency-neutral) in the 2026 first quarter. Its gross margin expanded from 59.9% to 64.2%, and net income rose 82%.
The company is generating strong consumer loyalty for its premium products, and its target affluent clientele is more resilient under pressure. It's still building its global brand presence, giving it a long growth runway, but its stock is down 18% year to date, offering investors a chance to buy on the dip.
Dutch Bros is a young and growing coffee shop chain that's expanding across the U.S. and sees an enormous opportunity to open new stores. It's at just over 1,100 stores today, but management thinks it can reach 7,000 stores, providing ample revenue growth prospects from new stores alone over time. That should bring incredible gains for shareholders, but the company is also growing its same-store sales at a fast clip, creating even greater opportunities.
It has carved out a niche in cold, customized beverages with its signature, exclusive drinks, and it's so much more than coffee. It's also almost entirely drive-thru, a model that lends itself toward speed and agility. Dutch Bros stock is climbing back up after a drop, and it has fantastic long-term prospects.
Jennifer Saibil has positions in Dutch Bros and On Holding. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Dutch Bros, Nike, and On Holding. The Motley Fool recommends Lululemon Athletica Inc. and e.l.f. Beauty. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.