Pick 5 Winning Momentum Stocks Using The Driehaus Strategy

One of the most-favored approaches for investors with a high-risk appetite is the Driehaus strategy. Investors can pick momentum stocks using it to eke out satisfactory returns. The strategy was formulated by Richard Driehaus using the buy high and sell higher principle. Its success has helped Driehaus earn a place in Barron’s All-Century Team.

The American Association of Individual Investors (AAII) proved that the strategy has the potential to offer high returns. AAII’s portfolio, which was developed following the strategy, returned 13.5% and 18.1% in the five and 10-year time frames, respectively, compared with -1.1% and 4.2% returns registered by the S&P 500. Thus, investors with a high risk appetite might give the Driehaus strategy a thought to boost returns.

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 a 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

Our research shows that stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or 2 (Buy) and a Momentum Score of A or B offer the best upside potential.

• Zacks Rank equal to #1

(Only Strong Buy-rated stocks can get through. 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 higher than 0 and industry median

(Higher EPS growth compared to the industry average indicates superior stocks.)

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

(Positive EPS surprise indicates potential.)

• Positive % 50-day moving average and relative strength over 4 weeks

(High % 50-day moving average and relative strength signal uptrend.)

• Momentum Score equal to or less than B

(Ideal for taking advantage of momentum with the highest probability of success.)

These few parameters narrowed down the universe of over 7,851 stocks to only 20.

Here are five of the 20 stocks that passed the screen:

Copart, Inc. (NASDAQ:CPRT) is a provider of online auctions and vehicle remarketing services.It has a Momentum Score of B and an average four-quarter positive earnings surprise of 10.7%.

Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc. (NASDAQ:BECN) is a distributor of residential and non-residential roofing materials and other complementary building materials.It has a Momentum Score of A and an average four-quarter positive earnings surprise of 6.4%.

Broadcom Limited (NASDAQ:AVGO) is a global designer of a range of semiconductor devices.It has a Momentum Score of A and an average four-quarter positive earnings surprise of 4.5%.

Moody's Corporation (NYSE:MCO) is a provider of credit ratings, and economy-related research, data, and analytical tools.It has a Momentum Score of A and an average four-quarter positive earnings surprise of 12.9%.

Forrester Research, Inc. (NASDAQ:FORR) is an independent research, data, and advisory services company. It has a Momentum Score of B and an average four-quarter positive earnings surprise of 30.4%.

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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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