StockStory Analysis Picks Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) as Cash-Rich Buy, Flags EQH and TCBK

Investment research firm StockStory on June 2, 2026 highlighted Intuitive Surgical Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG) as the one cash-heavy stock to own among three, while advising investors to avoid Equitable Holdings Inc. (NYSE:EQH) and TriCo Bancshares (NASDAQ:TCBK). The firm cited cash positions relative to market cap and business quality as the differentiator. Intuitive Surgical holds $4.52 billion in net cash, representing 3.1% of its market cap, and trades at 39.9 times forward earnings. StockStory views the robotic surgery pioneer’s balance sheet as a strength supporting its growth profile. In contrast, Equitable Holdings carries a larger $5.77 billion net cash pile — 50.6% of market cap — but the firm expressed hesitation over the insurer’s low 5.6 times forward P/E multiple, suggesting underlying business model concerns. TriCo Bancshares, with $232.5 million in net cash (14.7% of market cap), was flagged for trading at just 1.2 times forward book, a valuation implying limited upside.