Ross's post | Quora

Is CoreCivic Stock a Hidden Gem or a Risky Bet? Here’s My Take 🚦 Okay, let’s get real for a second — have you ever found yourself scrolling through stock tickers late at night, stumbling across something like CoreCivic (CXW) and thinking, “Is this worth a shot or am I about to make a wild mistake?” Well, that was literally me last week. I couldn’t sleep, saw a Reddit thread hyping up ‘prison stocks’, and boom, my curiosity was piqued. So I did a deep dive into CoreCivic stock — and here’s what I honestly think. First Impressions: CoreCivic? Wait, What Do They Even Do? I’ll admit, the first time I heard about CoreCivic, I was a bit thrown off. They’re basically this huge private prison company — they own and manage correctional facilities across the US. Not exactly the most “feel-good” business, right? It’s one of those stocks that makes you pause and think about the ethical side of investing. I’m all for making money, but I also want to sleep at night. Still, the numbers were calling to me, so I decided to dig deeper. The Numbers: Undervalued or Just Unloved? Let’s talk numbers — and trust me, I double-checked everything because finance isn’t always my strong suit. CoreCivic’s stock has been through the wringer over the past few years. They lost their REIT status, cut their dividend, and got hit by political headwinds (no surprise there). But here’s the wild part: their financials aren’t terrible. The P/E ratio is lower than a lot of other real estate or infrastructure plays, and they still have a pretty hefty cash flow, even with the government contracts being a little shaky at times. I even pulled up some of their quarterly reports — and yeah, revenue isn’t skyrocketing, but it’s been remarkably steady. There’s something to be said for a business model that’s basically “people will always need prisons”… as weird as that sounds. I’m not saying I love it, but I can’t ignore it either. The Rollercoaster: Why Is Everyone So Divided? Here’s where it gets spicy. Some folks are super bullish on CoreCivic, arguing that it’s undervalued and due for a rebound, especially if private prisons stay in demand. Others say it’s a “value trap” — cheap for a reason, and the political risk is just too high. I even joined a couple of Discord chats just to see what other retail investors think. Opinions are all over the place! Some people have made solid short-term gains trading the volatility, while others swear off the stock entirely because of their personal values. Personally, I get both sides. There’s a real ethical dilemma here, and I totally respect anyone who just says “nope, not for me.” But from a pure numbers perspective, this stock has potential — especially if you’re into contrarian plays or think the whole sector is oversold. My Experience: Did I Buy? So, did I buy CoreCivic stock? Okay, confession time — I grabbed a small position. Nothing big, just enough to keep me interested. I’m treating it as a speculative play, not a core holding. I set tight stop losses because, let’s be real, this thing can swing hard with any political news. I also decided to keep my eyes open for any policy updates, because that’s really what drives this stock more than anything else. Watching it move in my portfolio has definitely been nerve-wracking. Some days I’m up, some days I’m down — it’s not for the faint of heart. But it’s honestly been kind of fun following the news, reading the debates, and learning more about an industry I never thought I’d invest in. Final Thoughts: A Wild Ride, But Not for Everyone Here’s my honest advice: CoreCivic stock isn’t for everyone. If you’re super risk-averse or uncomfortable with the industry, just skip it. There are plenty of fish in the sea! But if you’re curious, willing to do your homework, and interested in a true contrarian play, it might be worth a closer look. Just don’t go all-in and make sure you’re cool with the volatility. If you’ve ever traded CXW or have thoughts about “sin stocks” in general, drop a comment — I genuinely love hearing different perspectives! Investing is about learning, growing, and sometimes taking risks (within reason, of course). For now, I’m holding onto my little slice of CoreCivic, watching and waiting. Let’s see where this story goes! What do you guys think? Would you take a chance on CoreCivic stock, or is this one just too wild? Let’s chat below!