4 Top Momentum Stocks Powered by Driehaus Strategy

Richard Herman Driehaus, a well-known American businessman and fund manager, developed an investment approach based on the buy high and sell higher rule. This investment strategy is perfect for investors with an inclination toward enormous risk-taking. Using this strategy, investors gain from momentum stocks. Following the success of this investment plan, Driehaus was able to attain a place in Barron’s All-Century Team.

Portfolios such as that of The American Association of Individual Investors (“AAII”) have proved time and again that the strategy has the potential to offer high returns. Thus, investors with a high-risk appetite may opt for this strategy.

A Brief Note on Driehaus’ Strategy

Regarding the strategy, Driehaus once said: “I would much rather invest in a stock that’s increasing in price and take the risk that it may begin to decline than invest in a stock that’s already in decline and try to guess when it will turn around.” In keeping with his insight, AAII took into account the percentage 50-day moving average as one of the key criteria before designing a portfolio.

It is calculated by dividing the numerator (month-end price minus 50-day moving average of month-end price) by the 50-day moving average of the month-end price. Another momentum indicator – positive relative strength – has also been included. A positive percentage 50-day moving average indicates that the stock is trading at a price higher than its 50-day moving average level, indicating an uptrend.

Moreover, AAII found that Driehaus primarily focused on strong earnings growth rates and impressive earnings projections to pick potential outperformers. Companies with a strong history of beating estimates are also given importance in this strategy, which was made to provide better returns over the long term.

Screening Parameters

In order to make the strategy more profitable, we have considered only those stocks that have a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and a Momentum Score of A or B. Our research shows that stocks with a Style Score of A or B when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 or 2 offer the best upside potential.

• Zacks Rank equal to #1

No matter whether the market is good or bad, stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 have a proven history of outperformance. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

• Last 5-year average EPS growth rates above 2%

Strong EPS growth history ensures improving business

• Trailing 12-month EPS growth greater than 0 and industry median

Higher EPS growth compared to the industry average indicates superior earnings performance

• Last four-quarter average EPS surprise greater than 5%

Solid EPS surprise history indicates better price performance

• Positive percentage change in 50-day moving average and relative strength over 4 weeks

Positive percentage change in 50-day moving average and relative strength signal uptrend

• Momentum Score equal to or less than B        

A favorable momentum score indicates that it is ideal to take advantage of the momentum with the highest probability of success.

These few parameters have narrowed down the universe of over 7,688 stocks to only 17.

Here are four of the 17 stocks:

Avis Budget Group, Inc. CAR is a provider of vehicle rental services. It has a Momentum Score of A and a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of more than 100%, on average.

ConocoPhillips COP is a producer, transporter, and marketer of crude oil, bitumen, natural gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and natural gas liquids. It has a Momentum Score of A. The trailing four-quarter earnings surprise is 8.3%, on average.

Ulta Beauty, Inc. ULTA is a retailer of beauty products. It has a Momentum Score of A and a four-quarter earnings surprise of 63.9%, on average.

ArcBest Corporation ARCB is a provider of freight transportation and integrated logistics services. It has a Momentum Score of B. The trailing four-quarter earnings surprise is 40.8%, on average.

You can get the rest of the stocks on this list by signing up now for your 2-week free trial to the Research Wizard and start using this screen in your own trading. Further, you can also create your own strategies and test them first before taking the investment plunge.

The Research Wizard is a great place to begin. It's easy to use. Everything is in plain language. And it's very intuitive. Start your Research Wizard trial today. And the next time you read an economic report, open up the Research Wizard, plug your finds in, and see what gems come out.

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Disclosure: Officers, directors and/or employees of Zacks Investment Research may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material. An affiliated investment advisory firm may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material.

Disclosure: Performance information for Zacks’ portfolios and strategies are available at: https://www.zacks.com/performance.

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ConocoPhillips (COP) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Avis Budget Group, Inc. (CAR) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Ulta Beauty Inc. (ULTA) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
ArcBest Corporation (ARCB) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
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