New Delhi, July 18 -- Finology Research Desk has a clear view: Not every stock deserves a place in your portfolio. Plenty of them look great at first - rapid growth, big promises, glowing media coverage.But take a closer look, and warning signs start to show.

These stocks can quietly hurt your returns over the long run. That's why picking the right stocks isn't just about spotting winners. It's also about knowing what to avoid, and why. So we've built our rulebook: a clear, no-compromise principle of what not to own.

Here's what we deliberately avoid and why:

We stay away from companies that try to lead in every sector. When promoters believe they can do everything, they usually end up losing focus. Legendary investor Peter Lynch warne...