Accurate identification of correctly-priced stocks is the key to successful investing. However, in reality, overpriced toxic stocks and the rightly-priced stocks are intermixed in such a way that it is tough to distinguish between the two.

Usually, overhyped toxic stocks are vulnerable to outside shocks. Moreover, these stocks are loaded with a high level of debt. The price of these stocks is artificially inflated. Nonetheless, the higher price of toxic stocks is only short-lived as it is higher than its true intrinsic value.

Investors are likely to gain from precise identification of toxic stocks with the help of an investing strategy called short selling. This strategy allows investors to sell a stock first and then buy it when price falls.

While short selling excels in bear markets, it typically loses money in bull markets.

So accurately identifying toxic stocks and discarding or short selling those at the right time is the key to protect your portfolio from big losses.

Screening Criteria

Here is a winning strategy that will help you to identify overpriced toxic stocks:

Most recent Debt/Equity Ratio greater than the median industry average: High debt/equity ratio implies high leverage. High leverage indicates a huge level of repayment that the company has to make in connection with the debt amount.

P/E using 12-month forward EPS estimate greater than 50: A very high forward P/E implies that a stock is highly overvalued.

% Change in F (1) and F (2) Estimate (12 Weeks) less than 0: Negative EPS estimate revision for this and the next fiscal year during the past 12 weeks points to analysts’ pessimism.

Zacks Rank more than or equal to #3 (Hold): We have not considered Buy-rated stocks that generally outperform the market.

Here are four of the 30 toxic stocks that showed up on the screen:

Vancouver, Canada-based First Majestic Silver Corp. (AG - Free Report) is engaged in the production, development, exploration, and acquisition of silver mines in Mexico. Over the past 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings per share has increased from 1 cent to 2 cents. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3.

Frederick, MD-based U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. (SLCA - Free Report) is a producer of industrial minerals, including sand proppants, whole grain silica, ground silica, fine ground silica, calcined kaolin clay and aplite clay. Over the past 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-quarter loss per share has remained unchanged at 4 cents. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3.

San Jose, CA-based Calix, Inc (CALX - Free Report) is a global leader in access innovation. Over the past 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-quarter loss per share has remained unchanged at 3 cents. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3.

Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. (LYV - Free Report) is a Beverly Hills, CA-based live entertainment company. Over the past 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-quarter earnings has remained unchanged at 39 cents per share. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3.