The World's Scariest Stocks

What's scarier?

• A stock that has risen more than 800% in the past year?
• A stock with a trailing price-to-earnings ratio of more than 100?
• Or a stock that's valued at more than 5,000 times its trailing free cash flow?

I'll agree that it's a pretty tough choice. And investors would be wise to think long and hard before investing in companies with those characteristics.

Here's Johnny
All three of the above are actually candidates in our "World's Scariest Stock" contest. This Halloween, we're attempting to identify the most blood-curdling investment out there among a haunted house full of spooky characters. Here are just five of the contenders:

The stocks above have two things in common:

1. Most have increased dramatically in price over the past year.
2. They're rated poorly among the participants in our 72,000-member Motley Fool CAPS community.

We used this simple screen to identify all 11 of the stocks in the contest. And the resulting pool had us scared ... witless.

Some of these companies have great businesses, and some of them are even Motley Fool newsletter service recommendations. But there's something scary about all of them beneath the surface -- whether it's XM's (NASDAQ:XMSR) negative book value or the low barriers to entry in Google's (NASDAQ:GOOG) search market.

Don't be too afraid
Below, you'll find our list of scary stocks. If you agree with the analyst, then rate the stock an "underperform" in CAPS. If you disagree, rate it an "outperform." If you like, you can even add your own pitch. The stock with the most new net underperform ratings (underperform ratings minus outperform ratings) will win the contest.

On Halloween, we'll declare a winner. To help us choose the scariest stock in the world, start reading the analyses below, and then click here to join CAPS today.

The World's Scariest Stocks:

• Amazon.com
• Blue Nile
• Crocs
• Dendreon
• DryShips
• Goodyear Tire & Rubber
• Google
• Overstock.com
• Research In Motion
• Select Comfort
• XM Satellite Radio

And for other Halloween-themed Foolishness, head right this way. Watch your step. Mind the bats and coffins, please:

• I've Got the Scariest House in the Neighborhood
• I Ain't 'Fraid of No Market Ghosts
• Invasion of the Retirement Snatchers
• Tricky Costs for Halloween Treats