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Best Momentum Stocks

130 Top Trend Stocks Ranked by 1Y Return.

Curated by Anish Das
Refreshed Jul 8, 2026

Identify stocks with sustained momentum across two timeframes: 50%+ annual return (established trend) and 10%+ 3-month return (recent confirmation). The RS Rating ≥ 70 filter validates that these stocks are true market leaders.

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Screen VitalsEOD Data
Companies
130
Avg 1Y Return
123.23%
Avg 3M Return
38.27%
Avg RS Rating
86
Primary Trend
1Y Return ≥ 50%
Recent Strength
3M Return ≥ 10%
Market Leader
RS Rating ≥ 70
Profitable
ROE ≥ 8%

Market Signal

Data Insight

This screen is currently exhibiting strong clustering in the Industrials sector (27% of constituents).

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Compare Top 3 Open Screener
TickerCompanyReturn 1YReturn 3MReturn 1MRS RatingYTD Ret
WDC logoWDC
Western Digital Corporation715.9%70.6%1%97.0183.5%
MU logoMU
Micron Technology, Inc.682.5%148.5%-1.1%98.0197.5%
VICR logoVICR
Vicor Corporation467%61%-6.4%95.0120.2%
TER logoTER
Teradyne, Inc.371.7%33.3%14.1%95.0105.9%
ALAB logoALAB
Astera Labs, Inc. Common Stock327.2%221.8%10.7%98.0113.2%
ATEX logoATEX
Anterix Inc.312.5%145.2%52.3%98.0353.9%
VSCO logoVSCO
Victoria's Secret & Co.282.4%61%2.6%93.046.6%
GLW logoGLW
Corning Incorporated253.9%24.8%-1.2%94.0104.5%
PACS logoPACS
PACS Group, Inc.249.5%34.4%24.4%94.010.4%
TTMI logoTTMI
TTM Technologies, Inc.244%45.1%-19.2%94.0104.1%
MKSI logoMKSI
MKS Inc.242.1%46.8%12%95.0107.6%
LRCX logoLRCX
Lam Research Corporation232.3%45.4%0.5%94.076.2%
STRL logoSTRL
Sterling Infrastructure, Inc.227.7%103%-12.9%96.0143.3%
POWL logoPOWL
Powell Industries, Inc.225.3%16%-20.3%92.099.2%
MRVL logoMRVL
Marvell Technology, Inc.222.4%110.9%-20.1%97.0158.1%
NWPX logoNWPX
NWPX Infrastructure, Inc.221.3%71.9%11.8%95.0114.8%
SKYT logoSKYT
SkyWater Technology, Inc.219.4%18.9%-9.4%89.048.8%
BTSG logoBTSG
BrightSpring Health Services, Inc. Common Stock219%59.9%18.5%94.082.7%
AGX logoAGX
Argan, Inc.216.6%14.9%7%94.0103.5%
FIX logoFIX
Comfort Systems USA, Inc.210.7%18.1%-9.2%88.067.6%
MTRN logoMTRN
Materion Corporation206.2%63.9%9.6%95.092.3%
AMKR logoAMKR
Amkor Technology, Inc.204.7%37.2%-4.3%90.052.2%
AMAT logoAMAT
Applied Materials, Inc.190.6%56.5%12.7%96.0106.2%
LGND logoLGND
Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated180.8%55.7%34.4%92.068%
CRDO logoCRDO
Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd165.7%130.7%10.9%93.072%
CECO logoCECO
CECO Environmental Corp.164.7%33.8%-2.1%83.031.9%
ATRO logoATRO
Astronics Corporation164.2%17.3%-0.1%86.048.8%
KRYS logoKRYS
Krystal Biotech, Inc.163.8%39.6%22.2%92.049.3%
BELFB logoBELFB
Bel Fuse Inc.153.4%19.6%-9.9%82.045.6%
EZPW logoEZPW
EZCORP, Inc.152.4%28.1%13.5%90.076.7%
WDC logoWDC
Western Digital Corporation
715.9%
715.9%Return 1Y
Return 3M70.6%
Return 1M1%
RS Rating97.0
YTD Ret183.5%
MU logoMU
Micron Technology, Inc.
682.5%
682.5%Return 1Y
Return 3M148.5%
Return 1M-1.1%
RS Rating98.0
YTD Ret197.5%
VICR logoVICR
Vicor Corporation
467%
467%Return 1Y
Return 3M61%
Return 1M-6.4%
RS Rating95.0
YTD Ret120.2%
TER logoTER
Teradyne, Inc.
371.7%
371.7%Return 1Y
Return 3M33.3%
Return 1M14.1%
RS Rating95.0
YTD Ret105.9%
ALAB logoALAB
Astera Labs, Inc. Common Stock
327.2%
327.2%Return 1Y
Return 3M221.8%
Return 1M10.7%
RS Rating98.0
YTD Ret113.2%
ATEX logoATEX
Anterix Inc.
312.5%
312.5%Return 1Y
Return 3M145.2%
Return 1M52.3%
RS Rating98.0
YTD Ret353.9%
VSCO logoVSCO
Victoria's Secret & Co.
282.4%
282.4%Return 1Y
Return 3M61%
Return 1M2.6%
RS Rating93.0
YTD Ret46.6%
GLW logoGLW
Corning Incorporated
253.9%
253.9%Return 1Y
Return 3M24.8%
Return 1M-1.2%
RS Rating94.0
YTD Ret104.5%
PACS logoPACS
PACS Group, Inc.
249.5%
249.5%Return 1Y
Return 3M34.4%
Return 1M24.4%
RS Rating94.0
YTD Ret10.4%
TTMI logoTTMI
TTM Technologies, Inc.
244%
244%Return 1Y
Return 3M45.1%
Return 1M-19.2%
RS Rating94.0
YTD Ret104.1%
MKSI logoMKSI
MKS Inc.
242.1%
242.1%Return 1Y
Return 3M46.8%
Return 1M12%
RS Rating95.0
YTD Ret107.6%
LRCX logoLRCX
Lam Research Corporation
232.3%
232.3%Return 1Y
Return 3M45.4%
Return 1M0.5%
RS Rating94.0
YTD Ret76.2%
STRL logoSTRL
Sterling Infrastructure, Inc.
227.7%
227.7%Return 1Y
Return 3M103%
Return 1M-12.9%
RS Rating96.0
YTD Ret143.3%
POWL logoPOWL
Powell Industries, Inc.
225.3%
225.3%Return 1Y
Return 3M16%
Return 1M-20.3%
RS Rating92.0
YTD Ret99.2%
MRVL logoMRVL
Marvell Technology, Inc.
222.4%
222.4%Return 1Y
Return 3M110.9%
Return 1M-20.1%
RS Rating97.0
YTD Ret158.1%
NWPX logoNWPX
NWPX Infrastructure, Inc.
221.3%
221.3%Return 1Y
Return 3M71.9%
Return 1M11.8%
RS Rating95.0
YTD Ret114.8%
SKYT logoSKYT
SkyWater Technology, Inc.
219.4%
219.4%Return 1Y
Return 3M18.9%
Return 1M-9.4%
RS Rating89.0
YTD Ret48.8%
BTSG logoBTSG
BrightSpring Health Services, Inc. Common Stock
219%
219%Return 1Y
Return 3M59.9%
Return 1M18.5%
RS Rating94.0
YTD Ret82.7%
AGX logoAGX
Argan, Inc.
216.6%
216.6%Return 1Y
Return 3M14.9%
Return 1M7%
RS Rating94.0
YTD Ret103.5%
FIX logoFIX
Comfort Systems USA, Inc.
210.7%
210.7%Return 1Y
Return 3M18.1%
Return 1M-9.2%
RS Rating88.0
YTD Ret67.6%
MTRN logoMTRN
Materion Corporation
206.2%
206.2%Return 1Y
Return 3M63.9%
Return 1M9.6%
RS Rating95.0
YTD Ret92.3%
AMKR logoAMKR
Amkor Technology, Inc.
204.7%
204.7%Return 1Y
Return 3M37.2%
Return 1M-4.3%
RS Rating90.0
YTD Ret52.2%
AMAT logoAMAT
Applied Materials, Inc.
190.6%
190.6%Return 1Y
Return 3M56.5%
Return 1M12.7%
RS Rating96.0
YTD Ret106.2%
LGND logoLGND
Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
180.8%
180.8%Return 1Y
Return 3M55.7%
Return 1M34.4%
RS Rating92.0
YTD Ret68%
CRDO logoCRDO
Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd
165.7%
165.7%Return 1Y
Return 3M130.7%
Return 1M10.9%
RS Rating93.0
YTD Ret72%
CECO logoCECO
CECO Environmental Corp.
164.7%
164.7%Return 1Y
Return 3M33.8%
Return 1M-2.1%
RS Rating83.0
YTD Ret31.9%
ATRO logoATRO
Astronics Corporation
164.2%
164.2%Return 1Y
Return 3M17.3%
Return 1M-0.1%
RS Rating86.0
YTD Ret48.8%
KRYS logoKRYS
Krystal Biotech, Inc.
163.8%
163.8%Return 1Y
Return 3M39.6%
Return 1M22.2%
RS Rating92.0
YTD Ret49.3%
BELFB logoBELFB
Bel Fuse Inc.
153.4%
153.4%Return 1Y
Return 3M19.6%
Return 1M-9.9%
RS Rating82.0
YTD Ret45.6%
EZPW logoEZPW
EZCORP, Inc.
152.4%
152.4%Return 1Y
Return 3M28.1%
Return 1M13.5%
RS Rating90.0
YTD Ret76.7%
See all 130 stocks →

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Learn more about Best Momentum Stocks

How We Build This List

  • 1-Year Return ≥ 50%Establishes the stock is in a strong primary uptrend. 50%+ annual return places it in the top performers — not a random fluctuation.
  • 3-Month Return ≥ 10%Confirms momentum is continuing, not fading. A stock up 80% for the year but down 5% recently has broken momentum.
  • RS Rating ≥ 70Relative Strength Rating compares performance vs. all other stocks. RS 70+ means outperforming 70% of the market.
  • ROE ≥ 8%Quality floor excluding fundamental disasters. A profitable business with momentum is more sustainable than a loss-making stock riding speculation.
  • Market Cap ≥ $1BInstitutional-grade liquidity. Momentum strategies require the ability to enter and exit without moving the price.
  • US-Domiciled Companies OnlyConsistent data for RS Rating calculation. ADRs introduce currency effects that distort relative performance comparisons.
Open Screener

What Makes a Stock a Momentum Stocks List constituent?

This momentum screen identifies market leaders by filtering for a 1-year return of 50%+, a 3-month return of 10%+, and an RS Rating of 70+. By combining these technical triggers with an 8% ROE floor, we isolate stocks like NVIDIA in 2023, which surged 239% while maintaining high profitability, rather than speculative bubbles.

1YR > 50%
Trend Strength
1-Year Return >= 50%
RS > 70
Relative Strength
RS Rating >= 70
ROE 8%
Quality Floor
ROE >= 8%
1

Filter for Primary Uptrends

We require a 1-year return of 50%+ to ensure the stock is a clear leader. For example, Super Micro Computer displayed this strength in 2023 before its massive rally.

2

Verify Recent Momentum

A 3-month return of 10%+ ensures the trend is active. This avoids 'dead' leaders like Peloton in 2022, which had high historical gains but negative recent momentum.

3

Apply Quality and Liquidity

An 8% ROE and $1B market cap filter out 'junk' stocks. This prevents buying speculative penny stocks that lack the institutional backing seen in giants like Eli Lilly.

Performance Dynamics: When Does This Strategy Outperform?

Strategy performance behaves differently based on market conditions. Let's analyze when this strategy outperforms and when it lags:

When Momentum Leads

  • ✓ During the 2020-2021 bull market, momentum stocks like Tesla outperformed the S&P 500 by over 40% annually.
  • ✓ In low-volatility environments like 2017, momentum strategies consistently beat the broader market by 12%.
  • ✓ During early-cycle recoveries, such as 2009, high-beta momentum stocks often lead the market by 20%+.

When Momentum Trails

  • ✗ During the 2022 Fed rate hike cycle, high-momentum growth stocks fell 30% while value stocks held steady.
  • ✗ In sharp market reversals like March 2020, momentum stocks often crash harder than the index due to crowded trades.
  • ✗ During periods of extreme mean reversion, such as late 2000, momentum leaders often underperform by 15% as valuations collapse.

How to Use the Screener Results Table

To build a resilient portfolio, do not buy stocks on simple statistics alone. Use the key columns in our table to audit the durability, safety, and returns of each stock:

RS Rating Ratio

Measures performance against the market. An RS of 95 for Apple in 2020 indicated it was outperforming 95% of all other stocks.

1-Year Return Percentage

Shows long-term trend strength. A 50% return for Meta in 2023 signaled a powerful recovery from its 2022 lows.

ROE Percentage

Ensures profitability. Microsoft's consistent 30%+ ROE justifies its premium momentum valuation compared to loss-making tech firms.

Market Cap Currency

Ensures liquidity. A $1B+ cap ensures you can trade stocks like AMD without the slippage seen in micro-cap stocks.

Risk Factors & Warning Signs to Track

The 'Blow-Off Top' Trap

Momentum stocks often reach a 'blow-off top' where technicals look perfect but the business is peaking. In 2000, Cisco Systems had perfect momentum and massive growth, yet the stock fell 80% over the next two years as the tech bubble burst.

What are Best Momentum Stocks?

Finds stocks exhibiting established, accelerating price momentum. It requires a 50%+ 1-year return and a 10%+ 3-month return to filter for strong, active trends.

  • 1-Year Return ≥ 50%
  • 3-Month Return ≥ 10%
  • Relative Strength (RS) Rating ≥ 70
  • Return on Equity (ROE) ≥ 8%

Why Invest in Best Momentum Stocks?

Trend Persistence

Capitalizes on the strong historical momentum anomaly

Market Leadership

Selects market leaders outperforming the broader indices

Quality Floor

Enforces a profitability floor to avoid speculative hype

Dual Confirmation

Ensures momentum is active, filtering out fading trends

Anish Das
SCREEN CURATED BY

Anish Das

MBA, IIM Kozhikode · Founder & Individual Investor

LinkedIn
5+ years experience
Methodology Verified
Review: Jul 2026

Founder of VCP Scanner, former Flipkart Brand Manager, and active US equity investor focused on transparent research workflows.

Editorial Disclosure: The data in this screener is systematically filtered using transparent rules, ensuring unbiased results. Reviewed for E-E-A-T standards. Not financial advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why use an 8% ROE filter?
It ensures the company is actually profitable. In 2021, many 'meme' stocks had high momentum but negative ROE, leading to 90% drawdowns.
What if a stock has high momentum but low liquidity?
You risk being unable to exit. Stocks under $1B market cap, like many biotech firms in 2022, can gap down 20% on low volume.
Does this screen work in a bear market?
Momentum usually fails in bear markets. In 2008, almost all stocks with high 1-year returns eventually succumbed to the broader market crash.
How often should I re-run this screen?
Weekly is best. Momentum is fleeting; a stock like Zoom in 2020 was a leader, but its momentum faded rapidly by 2021.
Why exclude ADRs?
Currency fluctuations distort RS ratings. An ADR might look like a winner, but it's often just a currency play, not business strength.
What is the biggest mistake with this screen?
Buying stocks that are 'extended'. If a stock is up 200% in 3 months, like GameStop in early 2021, the risk of a 50% pullback is extreme.
Should I use stop-losses with this screen?
Yes. A 10-15% trailing stop is standard. Even winners like Amazon in 2000 needed strict stops to avoid the 90% total decline.
Does this screen find value stocks?
Rarely. Value stocks like Ford often have low momentum. This screen focuses on growth leaders like NVIDIA, not turnaround plays.

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