VCP ScannerFree US Stock Screener & Financial AnalysisFree US Stock Screener

Best Momentum Stocks

157 Top Trend Stocks Ranked by 1Y Return.

VCP Scanner Editorial TeamCurated by VCP Scanner Editorial Team
Refreshed Jun 18, 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.

View Full List
Screen VitalsLive Metrics
Companies
157
Avg 1Y Return
135.98%
Avg 3M Return
42.69%
Avg RS Rating
86
Primary Trend
1Y Return ≥ 50%
Recent Strength
3M Return ≥ 10%
Market Leader
RS Rating ≥ 70
Profitable
ROE ≥ 8%
Filter by:
Compare Top 3 Open Screener
TickerCompanyReturn 1YReturn 3MReturn 1MRS RatingYTD Ret
WDC logoWDC
Western Digital Corporation1115.9%126.9%55.3%97.0279.4%
MU logoMU
Micron Technology, Inc.766.9%126%53.1%98.0230.7%
VICR logoVICR
Vicor Corporation634.8%65.6%30.6%98.0178.3%
TTMI logoTTMI
TTM Technologies, Inc.456.9%107.8%27.6%97.0187.1%
POWL logoPOWL
Powell Industries, Inc.387.6%68.9%10.2%95.0150.2%
TER logoTER
Teradyne, Inc.372.6%36.4%27.2%93.096.8%
VSCO logoVSCO
Victoria's Secret & Co.340.3%75.9%80.5%94.051.7%
AMKR logoAMKR
Amkor Technology, Inc.325.3%86.5%30.9%95.0101.4%
SKYT logoSKYT
SkyWater Technology, Inc.325.2%29.9%4.9%91.060.4%
MRVL logoMRVL
Marvell Technology, Inc.313.7%218.9%71.4%98.0223.9%
LRCX logoLRCX
Lam Research Corporation303.8%65.2%34.6%95.0102.2%
MKSI logoMKSI
MKS Inc.303.5%62.2%25.6%94.0120.5%
ALAB logoALAB
Astera Labs, Inc. Common Stock303.3%193.7%73.8%97.0108.7%
FIX logoFIX
Comfort Systems USA, Inc.290%35.6%4.2%92.092.5%
STRL logoSTRL
Sterling Infrastructure, Inc.278.7%97%8.8%97.0162.6%
NWPX logoNWPX
NWPX Infrastructure, Inc.259.7%89.3%25%95.0120.4%
GLW logoGLW
Corning Incorporated247.5%35%-1.8%92.093.5%
BELFB logoBELFB
Bel Fuse Inc.243.3%43.1%16.1%91.073.5%
AMAT logoAMAT
Applied Materials, Inc.240.6%68.2%43.4%95.0120.5%
MTRN logoMTRN
Materion Corporation239.7%82.7%30.5%94.0105.3%
AGX logoAGX
Argan, Inc.238.1%51.9%8.2%93.0120.7%
CECO logoCECO
CECO Environmental Corp.217%60.6%18.9%92.058%
CRDO logoCRDO
Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd212.8%139.6%59.6%96.074.1%
MOD logoMOD
Modine Manufacturing Company201.9%44.8%14.9%88.0101.6%
BTSG logoBTSG
BrightSpring Health Services, Inc. Common Stock201.8%53%14.7%93.067.8%
AEIS logoAEIS
Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.183.7%11.8%14.3%86.059.2%
ATEX logoATEX
Anterix Inc.181.2%109.6%44%98.0256.1%
ATRO logoATRO
Astronics Corporation178.5%36.7%19.6%92.069.7%
SANM logoSANM
Sanmina Corporation172.9%94%7.8%95.052.4%
VRT logoVRT
Vertiv Holdings Co172.3%18.3%-6.5%88.080.8%
WDC logoWDC
Western Digital Corporation
1115.9%
1115.9%Return 1Y
Return 3M126.9%
Return 1M55.3%
RS Rating97.0
YTD Ret279.4%
MU logoMU
Micron Technology, Inc.
766.9%
766.9%Return 1Y
Return 3M126%
Return 1M53.1%
RS Rating98.0
YTD Ret230.7%
VICR logoVICR
Vicor Corporation
634.8%
634.8%Return 1Y
Return 3M65.6%
Return 1M30.6%
RS Rating98.0
YTD Ret178.3%
TTMI logoTTMI
TTM Technologies, Inc.
456.9%
456.9%Return 1Y
Return 3M107.8%
Return 1M27.6%
RS Rating97.0
YTD Ret187.1%
POWL logoPOWL
Powell Industries, Inc.
387.6%
387.6%Return 1Y
Return 3M68.9%
Return 1M10.2%
RS Rating95.0
YTD Ret150.2%
TER logoTER
Teradyne, Inc.
372.6%
372.6%Return 1Y
Return 3M36.4%
Return 1M27.2%
RS Rating93.0
YTD Ret96.8%
VSCO logoVSCO
Victoria's Secret & Co.
340.3%
340.3%Return 1Y
Return 3M75.9%
Return 1M80.5%
RS Rating94.0
YTD Ret51.7%
AMKR logoAMKR
Amkor Technology, Inc.
325.3%
325.3%Return 1Y
Return 3M86.5%
Return 1M30.9%
RS Rating95.0
YTD Ret101.4%
SKYT logoSKYT
SkyWater Technology, Inc.
325.2%
325.2%Return 1Y
Return 3M29.9%
Return 1M4.9%
RS Rating91.0
YTD Ret60.4%
MRVL logoMRVL
Marvell Technology, Inc.
313.7%
313.7%Return 1Y
Return 3M218.9%
Return 1M71.4%
RS Rating98.0
YTD Ret223.9%
LRCX logoLRCX
Lam Research Corporation
303.8%
303.8%Return 1Y
Return 3M65.2%
Return 1M34.6%
RS Rating95.0
YTD Ret102.2%
MKSI logoMKSI
MKS Inc.
303.5%
303.5%Return 1Y
Return 3M62.2%
Return 1M25.6%
RS Rating94.0
YTD Ret120.5%
ALAB logoALAB
Astera Labs, Inc. Common Stock
303.3%
303.3%Return 1Y
Return 3M193.7%
Return 1M73.8%
RS Rating97.0
YTD Ret108.7%
FIX logoFIX
Comfort Systems USA, Inc.
290%
290%Return 1Y
Return 3M35.6%
Return 1M4.2%
RS Rating92.0
YTD Ret92.5%
STRL logoSTRL
Sterling Infrastructure, Inc.
278.7%
278.7%Return 1Y
Return 3M97%
Return 1M8.8%
RS Rating97.0
YTD Ret162.6%
NWPX logoNWPX
NWPX Infrastructure, Inc.
259.7%
259.7%Return 1Y
Return 3M89.3%
Return 1M25%
RS Rating95.0
YTD Ret120.4%
GLW logoGLW
Corning Incorporated
247.5%
247.5%Return 1Y
Return 3M35%
Return 1M-1.8%
RS Rating92.0
YTD Ret93.5%
BELFB logoBELFB
Bel Fuse Inc.
243.3%
243.3%Return 1Y
Return 3M43.1%
Return 1M16.1%
RS Rating91.0
YTD Ret73.5%
AMAT logoAMAT
Applied Materials, Inc.
240.6%
240.6%Return 1Y
Return 3M68.2%
Return 1M43.4%
RS Rating95.0
YTD Ret120.5%
MTRN logoMTRN
Materion Corporation
239.7%
239.7%Return 1Y
Return 3M82.7%
Return 1M30.5%
RS Rating94.0
YTD Ret105.3%
AGX logoAGX
Argan, Inc.
238.1%
238.1%Return 1Y
Return 3M51.9%
Return 1M8.2%
RS Rating93.0
YTD Ret120.7%
CECO logoCECO
CECO Environmental Corp.
217%
217%Return 1Y
Return 3M60.6%
Return 1M18.9%
RS Rating92.0
YTD Ret58%
CRDO logoCRDO
Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd
212.8%
212.8%Return 1Y
Return 3M139.6%
Return 1M59.6%
RS Rating96.0
YTD Ret74.1%
MOD logoMOD
Modine Manufacturing Company
201.9%
201.9%Return 1Y
Return 3M44.8%
Return 1M14.9%
RS Rating88.0
YTD Ret101.6%
BTSG logoBTSG
BrightSpring Health Services, Inc. Common Stock
201.8%
201.8%Return 1Y
Return 3M53%
Return 1M14.7%
RS Rating93.0
YTD Ret67.8%
AEIS logoAEIS
Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.
183.7%
183.7%Return 1Y
Return 3M11.8%
Return 1M14.3%
RS Rating86.0
YTD Ret59.2%
ATEX logoATEX
Anterix Inc.
181.2%
181.2%Return 1Y
Return 3M109.6%
Return 1M44%
RS Rating98.0
YTD Ret256.1%
ATRO logoATRO
Astronics Corporation
178.5%
178.5%Return 1Y
Return 3M36.7%
Return 1M19.6%
RS Rating92.0
YTD Ret69.7%
SANM logoSANM
Sanmina Corporation
172.9%
172.9%Return 1Y
Return 3M94%
Return 1M7.8%
RS Rating95.0
YTD Ret52.4%
VRT logoVRT
Vertiv Holdings Co
172.3%
172.3%Return 1Y
Return 3M18.3%
Return 1M-6.5%
RS Rating88.0
YTD Ret80.8%
See all 157 stocks →

Get the updated Best Momentum Stocks every week.

Track which stocks enter and leave the list. No account needed.

Free. Unsubscribe any time.

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

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.

Related Screens

Top Performing Stocks in 2026

Live-updated list of the best performing US stocks with 30%+ total returns. Ranked by 1-year total return including dividends. Quality filters exclude junk rallies.

technicalgrowth

52 Week High Stocks in 2026

Live list of US stocks trading within 5% of their 52-week high. Discover momentum stocks making new highs with filtered $1B+ market caps and ROE ≥ 8%.

technical

High Momentum Stocks in 2026

Top momentum stocks with 80%+ annual returns, 20%+ quarterly gains, RS Rating 85+. Extreme performers for aggressive traders. Updated daily with quality filters.

technicalgrowth

Breakout Stocks in 2026

Live list of US stocks breaking out near 52-week highs with volume 50%+ above average. Volume confirms institutional buying behind price moves. Updated daily.

technical

High Growth Stocks to Buy

Screen for high growth stocks with 25%+ revenue growth and $1B+ market cap. Proven, scaled growth companies filtered for profitability and FCF. Updated daily.

growth
Stock ScreenerLive ScreenerOpen in screener
Market ThemesCurated hubsExplore themes
Compare StocksSide-by-sideCompare now
ValuationDCF & peersCalculate value