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High Momentum Stocks in 2026

80 Elite Performers. 80%+ Annual Returns.

Anish DasCurated by Anish Das
Refreshed Jun 14, 2026

Identify the market's most extreme momentum leaders. These are the elite performers that have nearly doubled over the past year, sustained aggressive quarterly gains, and maintain top-tier relative strength.

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Screen VitalsLive Metrics
Companies
80
Avg 1Y Return
188.09%
Avg 3M Return
60.52%
Avg RS Rating
91
Extreme Gains
80%+ 1-Year Return
Current Velocity
20%+ 3-Month Return
Elite Leaders
RS Rating ≥ 85
Quality Gate
Market Cap ≥ $1B
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Compare Top 3 Open Screener
TickerCompanyReturn 1YReturn 3MReturn 1MRS RatingYTD Ret
WDC logoWDC
Western Digital Corporation909.2%115.5%15.2%97.0199.9%
MU logoMU
Micron Technology, Inc.744.9%142.2%28.1%98.0211.2%
VICR logoVICR
Vicor Corporation575%81%3.8%98.0159.9%
TTMI logoTTMI
TTM Technologies, Inc.432.8%114.3%18.8%97.0174.8%
TER logoTER
Teradyne, Inc.369.3%40.7%12.5%93.094.3%
POWL logoPOWL
Powell Industries, Inc.357.4%72.2%-4.3%95.0150.8%
STRL logoSTRL
Sterling Infrastructure, Inc.320.7%112.4%1%97.0169.3%
SKYT logoSKYT
SkyWater Technology, Inc.315.1%33.8%2.9%91.063.2%
AMKR logoAMKR
Amkor Technology, Inc.306%100.6%12.7%95.092.9%
MRVL logoMRVL
Marvell Technology, Inc.301.6%218.8%70%98.0212.9%
LRCX logoLRCX
Lam Research Corporation300.2%75.1%26.8%95.098.2%
VSCO logoVSCO
Victoria's Secret & Co.298.1%75.4%69.3%94.047.8%
ALAB logoALAB
Astera Labs, Inc. Common Stock289.2%206.2%79.6%97.0104.5%
MKSI logoMKSI
MKS Inc.279.4%66.6%14.1%94.0111.3%
FIX logoFIX
Comfort Systems USA, Inc.274.6%36.7%-6.9%92.087.1%
GLW logoGLW
Corning Incorporated252.6%38.1%-9.6%92.097.6%
CECO logoCECO
CECO Environmental Corp.247.1%78.2%20.2%92.061.8%
BELFB logoBELFB
Bel Fuse Inc.240.1%50.6%-1.5%91.070.1%
CRDO logoCRDO
Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd237.4%124.8%26.3%96.075.1%
NWPX logoNWPX
NWPX Infrastructure, Inc.228.4%75.9%13.1%95.0104.4%
AMAT logoAMAT
Applied Materials, Inc.224.1%68.2%31.6%95.0111%
MTRN logoMTRN
Materion Corporation206.2%78.7%21.4%94.092.4%
ATEX logoATEX
Anterix Inc.202%116.5%52.1%98.0271.1%
BTSG logoBTSG
BrightSpring Health Services, Inc. Common Stock192.7%63.6%13.9%93.064.7%
SANM logoSANM
Sanmina Corporation191.8%102%8.2%95.060.2%
KLAC logoKLAC
KLA Corporation190.9%80.6%40.5%95.099.7%
AGX logoAGX
Argan, Inc.188.9%39.6%-5.8%93.096.9%
MOD logoMOD
Modine Manufacturing Company182.8%43%-0.6%88.094.9%
IESC logoIESC
IES Holdings, Inc.175.2%72.2%9.4%93.084.3%
MYRG logoMYRG
MYR Group Inc.169.5%73%-2.1%94.096.6%
WDC logoWDC
Western Digital Corporation
909.2%
909.2%Return 1Y
Return 3M115.5%
Return 1M15.2%
RS Rating97.0
YTD Ret199.9%
MU logoMU
Micron Technology, Inc.
744.9%
744.9%Return 1Y
Return 3M142.2%
Return 1M28.1%
RS Rating98.0
YTD Ret211.2%
VICR logoVICR
Vicor Corporation
575%
575%Return 1Y
Return 3M81%
Return 1M3.8%
RS Rating98.0
YTD Ret159.9%
TTMI logoTTMI
TTM Technologies, Inc.
432.8%
432.8%Return 1Y
Return 3M114.3%
Return 1M18.8%
RS Rating97.0
YTD Ret174.8%
TER logoTER
Teradyne, Inc.
369.3%
369.3%Return 1Y
Return 3M40.7%
Return 1M12.5%
RS Rating93.0
YTD Ret94.3%
POWL logoPOWL
Powell Industries, Inc.
357.4%
357.4%Return 1Y
Return 3M72.2%
Return 1M-4.3%
RS Rating95.0
YTD Ret150.8%
STRL logoSTRL
Sterling Infrastructure, Inc.
320.7%
320.7%Return 1Y
Return 3M112.4%
Return 1M1%
RS Rating97.0
YTD Ret169.3%
SKYT logoSKYT
SkyWater Technology, Inc.
315.1%
315.1%Return 1Y
Return 3M33.8%
Return 1M2.9%
RS Rating91.0
YTD Ret63.2%
AMKR logoAMKR
Amkor Technology, Inc.
306%
306%Return 1Y
Return 3M100.6%
Return 1M12.7%
RS Rating95.0
YTD Ret92.9%
MRVL logoMRVL
Marvell Technology, Inc.
301.6%
301.6%Return 1Y
Return 3M218.8%
Return 1M70%
RS Rating98.0
YTD Ret212.9%
LRCX logoLRCX
Lam Research Corporation
300.2%
300.2%Return 1Y
Return 3M75.1%
Return 1M26.8%
RS Rating95.0
YTD Ret98.2%
VSCO logoVSCO
Victoria's Secret & Co.
298.1%
298.1%Return 1Y
Return 3M75.4%
Return 1M69.3%
RS Rating94.0
YTD Ret47.8%
ALAB logoALAB
Astera Labs, Inc. Common Stock
289.2%
289.2%Return 1Y
Return 3M206.2%
Return 1M79.6%
RS Rating97.0
YTD Ret104.5%
MKSI logoMKSI
MKS Inc.
279.4%
279.4%Return 1Y
Return 3M66.6%
Return 1M14.1%
RS Rating94.0
YTD Ret111.3%
FIX logoFIX
Comfort Systems USA, Inc.
274.6%
274.6%Return 1Y
Return 3M36.7%
Return 1M-6.9%
RS Rating92.0
YTD Ret87.1%
GLW logoGLW
Corning Incorporated
252.6%
252.6%Return 1Y
Return 3M38.1%
Return 1M-9.6%
RS Rating92.0
YTD Ret97.6%
CECO logoCECO
CECO Environmental Corp.
247.1%
247.1%Return 1Y
Return 3M78.2%
Return 1M20.2%
RS Rating92.0
YTD Ret61.8%
BELFB logoBELFB
Bel Fuse Inc.
240.1%
240.1%Return 1Y
Return 3M50.6%
Return 1M-1.5%
RS Rating91.0
YTD Ret70.1%
CRDO logoCRDO
Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd
237.4%
237.4%Return 1Y
Return 3M124.8%
Return 1M26.3%
RS Rating96.0
YTD Ret75.1%
NWPX logoNWPX
NWPX Infrastructure, Inc.
228.4%
228.4%Return 1Y
Return 3M75.9%
Return 1M13.1%
RS Rating95.0
YTD Ret104.4%
AMAT logoAMAT
Applied Materials, Inc.
224.1%
224.1%Return 1Y
Return 3M68.2%
Return 1M31.6%
RS Rating95.0
YTD Ret111%
MTRN logoMTRN
Materion Corporation
206.2%
206.2%Return 1Y
Return 3M78.7%
Return 1M21.4%
RS Rating94.0
YTD Ret92.4%
ATEX logoATEX
Anterix Inc.
202%
202%Return 1Y
Return 3M116.5%
Return 1M52.1%
RS Rating98.0
YTD Ret271.1%
BTSG logoBTSG
BrightSpring Health Services, Inc. Common Stock
192.7%
192.7%Return 1Y
Return 3M63.6%
Return 1M13.9%
RS Rating93.0
YTD Ret64.7%
SANM logoSANM
Sanmina Corporation
191.8%
191.8%Return 1Y
Return 3M102%
Return 1M8.2%
RS Rating95.0
YTD Ret60.2%
KLAC logoKLAC
KLA Corporation
190.9%
190.9%Return 1Y
Return 3M80.6%
Return 1M40.5%
RS Rating95.0
YTD Ret99.7%
AGX logoAGX
Argan, Inc.
188.9%
188.9%Return 1Y
Return 3M39.6%
Return 1M-5.8%
RS Rating93.0
YTD Ret96.9%
MOD logoMOD
Modine Manufacturing Company
182.8%
182.8%Return 1Y
Return 3M43%
Return 1M-0.6%
RS Rating88.0
YTD Ret94.9%
IESC logoIESC
IES Holdings, Inc.
175.2%
175.2%Return 1Y
Return 3M72.2%
Return 1M9.4%
RS Rating93.0
YTD Ret84.3%
MYRG logoMYRG
MYR Group Inc.
169.5%
169.5%Return 1Y
Return 3M73%
Return 1M-2.1%
RS Rating94.0
YTD Ret96.6%
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Learn more about High Momentum Stocks in 2026

How We Build This List

  • 1-Year Return ≥ 80%Extreme threshold. Only stocks that nearly doubled in the past year qualify. This captures names with sustained institutional buying pressure and momentum that has persisted through multiple quarters.
  • 3-Month Return ≥ 20%Confirms the momentum is current, not historical. A stock that rose 80% but has slowed in recent months won't qualify. We want acceleration, not deceleration.
  • RS Rating ≥ 85 (Top 15%)Elite relative strength. RS 85+ means the stock is outperforming 85% of the entire market. Combined with absolute returns, this double-filters to true market leaders.
  • ROE ≥ 8%Quality gate. Junk rallies (distressed stocks bouncing from lows) often have negative or minimal ROE. This filter ensures real profitability behind the momentum.
  • Market Cap ≥ $1BInstitutional-grade companies. Micro-cap momentum can result from pump schemes or illiquidity. $1B+ ensures sufficient liquidity and institutional participation.
  • US-Domiciled Companies OnlyConsistent return calculations. ADR returns can be distorted by currency movements, especially over longer periods like 1 year.
Open Screener →

What Makes a Stock a High Momentum Stocks constituent?

This screen targets the market's strongest technical leaders. It filters for stocks with top-decile 1-year returns, trading above their 50-day and 200-day moving averages on high volume, indicating heavy institutional accumulation.

HI MOMENTUM
Relative Strength
Top-Decile Return Profile
MAs
Moving Averages
Above 50D & 200D MAs
LIQUIDITY
Volume Support
High Average Volume
1

Identify Top Return Profiles

Filter for stocks with 1-year total returns in the top tier of the market.

2

Confirm Moving Average Alignment

Ensure the price is trading above both its short-term (50-day) and long-term (200-day) moving averages.

3

Verify Volume Support

Select stocks with high average daily trading volume to confirm institutional accumulation and ensure liquidity.

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 High Momentum Leads

  • ✓ Strong bull markets with high liquidity and active institutional buyers.
  • ✓ Growth-led cycles when market leaders break out to new highs.
  • ✓ Strong trend-following market cycles.

When High Momentum Trails

  • ✗ Sharp market corrections when highly accumulated winners face profit-taking.
  • ✗ Sideways markets with frequent trend failures.
  • ✗ Value-oriented rotations when defensive stocks lead.

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:

1-Year Total Return Percentage

Measures price performance over the past year. Aim for top returns.

ROE Percentage

Ensures the price rally has a solid foundation of capital efficiency.

Beta Multiplier

High momentum stocks typically carry higher betas, indicating high market sensitivity.

Volume Shares

High average daily volume confirms institutional support.

Risk Factors & Warning Signs to Track

The Threat of Sharp Pullbacks

High momentum stocks can experience sudden, sharp pullbacks of 10-20% as swing traders take profits. Use disciplined risk management and stop-losses.

What are High Momentum Stocks?

Isolates the absolute strongest-performing leaders in the US market. It requires extreme price velocity (80%+ annual returns) paired with baseline profitability.

  • 1-Year Return ≥ 80%
  • 3-Month Return ≥ 20%
  • Relative Strength Rating ≥ 85
  • Return on Equity (ROE) ≥ 8%

Why Invest in High Momentum Stocks?

Trend Following

Exploits the proven momentum premium anomaly

Extreme Velocity

Targets the fastest-moving trends in the market

Quality Filtered

Ensures price strength is backed by profitability

Relative Strength

Mathematically selects leaders outperforming the index

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a high momentum stock?
A high momentum stock is an equity displaying exceptional upward price trends, typically in the top tier of the market over 6 to 12 months.
Why do institutions accumulate momentum stocks?
To show ownership of winning names in quarterly reports (window dressing) and follow trend-following algorithms.
What are the key moving averages to track?
The 50-day moving average for short-term support and the 200-day moving average for long-term trend validation.
How is momentum measured?
Using price rate of change, relative strength index (RSI), moving average convergence divergence (MACD), or simple multi-month returns.
Should I buy high momentum stocks at new highs?
Buying breakouts from tight consolidations is a common, successful strategy, but avoid buying after parabolic, overextended rallies.
What is RSI?
RSI (Relative Strength Index) is a technical indicator measuring price speed. RSI above 70 is overbought, while below 30 is oversold.
Do high momentum stocks have high valuation multiples?
Yes, they often trade at premium P/E and P/S ratios due to high growth expectations and investor demand.
How do I exit a momentum position?
Sell if the stock breaks below its 50-day moving average, or use a trailing stop-loss to protect profits.

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