Top 1-Year Price Return US Stocks — Best Performing on NYSE & NASDAQ Last 12 Months
US stocks with 20%+ annual price return, market cap above $1B, and positive margins — price momentum confirmed by fundamental quality.
About This Screen
One-year price momentum is one of the most replicated findings in academic finance. Stocks that have returned 20%+ over the trailing 12 months disproportionately continue to outperform over the following 6–12 months. This 'momentum effect' was documented by Jegadeesh and Titman (1993) and has been confirmed in dozens of subsequent studies across global markets. The academic explanation: slow information diffusion, underreaction to earnings news, and institutional herding create persistent price trends.
WHAT THIS SCREEN FINDS: US NYSE and NASDAQ stocks with 20%+ one-year price return (strong annual momentum), market cap above $1B (institutional quality and liquidity), and positive net margin (profitable businesses only). These are the confirmed annual price leaders with fundamental quality backing the price performance.
KEY METRICS EXPLAINED: 20% annual return is the threshold that filters for genuine momentum — normal market participation is roughly 7-10% annually for diversified portfolios. Stocks generating 20%+ significantly outperform the market average, indicating either genuine business acceleration or strong institutional accumulation (or both). The positive margin filter ensures the momentum reflects a profitable business, not a speculative story stock.
WHY INVESTORS USE IT: Price momentum is one of the most robust return factors in finance — it's been documented across every major asset class, every time period studied, and almost every country's equity market. Professional momentum managers systematically buy recent leaders and sell recent laggards. This screen identifies the current leadership cohort — the stocks experiencing the institutional attention and earnings momentum that typically produces continued near-term outperformance.
BENEFITS: One of the best-documented return factors in academic finance. 1-year return captures genuine medium-term momentum (12 months, which is longer than short-term noise). Market cap filter ensures institutional-quality stocks. Margin filter prevents pure speculation. The leading stocks in any market advance are typically identified on this screen months before they make the financial press headlines.
RISKS AND LIMITATIONS: Momentum reverses — stocks with the best 12-month returns sometimes become the worst performers in the next 12 months if the catalyst has fully played out. Chasing momentum can mean buying near the end of a move rather than the beginning. The skip-1-month correction (academic research shows excluding the most recent month of performance reduces reversals) is not applied here. Momentum works better in bull markets than bear markets.
HOW TO ANALYZE STOCKS FROM THIS SCREEN: Understand what drove the 1-year return — earnings acceleration, multiple expansion, or both? Earnings-driven momentum is more durable than multiple-expansion-only moves. Check whether forward earnings estimates are still rising. Verify the P/E is not at a level that prices in excessive optimism. Consider a disciplined entry on a pullback rather than chasing at the highest momentum point.
COMMON MISTAKES: Buying the top momentum stocks purely because of the 1-year return without understanding the fundamental driver. Ignoring valuation — momentum stocks often carry premium multiples that require continued earnings acceleration to justify. Not using stop-losses — momentum can reverse quickly on earnings misses. Chasing at extended prices rather than waiting for base consolidations.
Related screens: Top 1-Month Price Return (shorter-term momentum leaders), All-Time High Momentum (structural momentum signal), Minervini Trend Template (Stage 2 with MA confirmation), CANSLIM Growth (earnings-momentum combination), Darvas Box Scan (price-action momentum approach).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 1-year price momentum in stock investing?
One-year price momentum refers to a stock's total price return over the trailing 12 months. Academic research by Jegadeesh and Titman (1993) documented that stocks with the highest 12-month returns tend to continue outperforming over the next 6–12 months — the momentum effect. This screen identifies US stocks with 20%+ annual price returns as the momentum leadership cohort.
Why does price momentum persist in US stocks?
Several explanations: slow information diffusion (earnings news takes time to be fully priced in), investor underreaction (analysts and investors initially underestimate the significance of positive earnings revisions), institutional herding (funds that missed a move buy in later, adding to price momentum), and index inclusion effects (stocks entering major indices receive forced buying from index funds).
Does past price performance predict future returns?
In the short-to-medium term (1–12 months forward), yes — this is one of the most replicated findings in finance. However, over longer periods (3–5 years), momentum often reverses as fundamentals mean-revert. The momentum effect is strongest over 3–12 month holding periods and weakest (or reversed) over 1-month and 3-5 year horizons.
What is the minimum return threshold for this screen?
20% annual price return. The US market has historically returned approximately 7–10% per year on average. Stocks returning 20%+ in 12 months have significantly outperformed the market average — confirming genuine momentum rather than market-average participation. The threshold filters for the top performers, not median performers.
Why does this screen require positive net margins?
To exclude speculative story stocks whose price has risen on narrative rather than fundamental reality. Profitable companies (positive net margins) with strong price momentum are combining business quality with price performance — a more durable combination than price momentum alone in loss-making businesses where the story can reverse quickly when losses fail to narrow as expected.
What causes a momentum reversal?
Earnings disappointment after elevated expectations (most common), a change in sector sentiment, rising interest rates (which disproportionately hurt high-multiple momentum stocks), macro deterioration, and mean-reversion buying from value investors who wait for exactly these situations. The risk of momentum reversal is highest immediately after an earnings report that fails to beat by the expected margin.
How should I manage position size in momentum stocks?
Typically smaller than core value holdings due to higher volatility. Many momentum investors use 3-5% position sizes rather than 10% core positions. Stop-losses are essential — a clearly defined exit level (e.g., 8% below entry, or at the 50-day moving average) prevents large losses when momentum reverses. The upside potential on momentum often justifies smaller sizes with defined risk.
How does 1-year momentum differ from 1-month momentum?
One-year momentum captures medium-term trend continuation and is backed by academic evidence for 6–12 month persistence. One-month momentum is noisier, can include short-term reversal effects, and is more susceptible to mean-reversion. The one-year signal is considered the more reliable momentum measure; the one-month signal identifies very short-term leadership that may or may not continue.
Should I combine momentum with fundamental quality?
Yes. 'Quality momentum' — combining price momentum with quality metrics like ROCE, ROE, and earnings growth — has historically outperformed pure price momentum. Stocks with both strong 12-month returns and strong business fundamentals show more durable momentum than stocks with price moves driven purely by sentiment or multiple expansion.
How does the screen handle stocks that had a very low price 12 months ago?
The calculation is straightforward percentage return: (Current Price − Price 52 Weeks Ago) / Price 52 Weeks Ago × 100. A stock from $10 to $15 shows 50% return, identical calculation to one from $100 to $150. The market cap minimum (above $1B) prevents very small stocks where percentage moves are driven by thin liquidity from dominating the screen.
Results 100 stocks matched
Refreshed daily · Sorted by Market Cap (High → Low)
| S.No. | Company | 1-Year Return % | Price | P/E | Mkt Cap | Div Yld % | ROCE % | ROE % | 52W High | 52W Low |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Novavax, Inc. | 2701.76% | $9.49 | 3.52 | $1.66 B | — | 76.84% | 283.08% | $11.97 | $6.13 |
| 2. | Soleno Therapeutics, Inc. | 1932.83% | $53.01 | 28.77 | $2.76 B | — | 2.98% | 22.86% | $90.32 | $29.43 |
| 3. | Sezzle Inc. | 1146.59% | $116.01 | 27.44 | $4.07 B | — | 52.43% | 90.93% | $186.74 | $49.5 |
| 4. | Chord Energy Corporation | 1036.81% | $134.79 | 175.63 | $7.59 B | 3.71% | 1.62% | -0.83% | $151.95 | $84.25 |
| 5. | Carvana Co. | 1016.88% | $66.51 | 50.53 | $72.81 B | — | 16.1% | 51.6% | $97.38 | $54.46 |
| 6. | Celsius Holdings, Inc. | 941.61% | $28.13 | 41.78 | $7.26 B | 0.62% | 11.59% | 6.31% | $66.74 | $27.47 |
| 7. | Dave Inc. | 936.61% | $258.25 | 14.59 | $3.28 B | — | 49.98% | 84.51% | $293.9 | $152.21 |
| 8. | Tesla, Inc. | 743.44% | $391 | 380.24 | $1,468.49 B | — | 4.57% | 4.77% | $498.83 | $273.21 |
| 9. | AppLovin Corporation | 712.62% | $557.2 | 47.23 | $187.19 B | — | 70.06% | 222.04% | $745.61 | $320 |
| 10. | GameStop Corp. | 687.63% | $21.8 | 23.71 | $9.92 B | — | 2.94% | 8% | $30.61 | $19.93 |
| 11. | Green Brick Partners, Inc. | 634.64% | $68.81 | 10.08 | $3.02 B | 0.1% | 18.46% | 16.38% | $80.97 | $58.65 |
| 12. | Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. | 605.68% | $5.84 | 30.98 | $1.59 B | — | 14.57% | 17.67% | $16.11 | $4.31 |
| 13. | Enphase Energy, Inc. | 571.53% | $56.07 | 66.77 | $9.01 B | — | 7.33% | 13.28% | $73.74 | $25.77 |
| 14. | IREN Limited | 472% | $54.35 | 252.15 | $13.76 B | — | 0.79% | 16.17% | $76.87 | $8.82 |
| 15. | Enphase Energy, Inc. | 452.43% | $56.07 | 66.77 | $9.01 B | — | 7.33% | 13.28% | $73.74 | $25.77 |
| 16. | ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 437.42% | $21.56 | 9.89 | $3.72 B | — | 8.14% | 35.65% | $28.35 | $19.69 |
| 17. | Nexstar Media Group, Inc. | 436.14% | $182.02 | 33.69 | $5.56 B | 4.11% | 8.52% | 7.52% | $254.3 | $164 |
| 18. | BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | 435.21% | $8.41 | 8.54 | $2.13 B | — | 107.2% | -328.82% | $11.31 | $6 |
| 19. | Teck Resources Limited | 425.98% | $61.67 | 33.12 | $21.57 B | 0.01% | 3.75% | 4.96% | $71.25 | $30.98 |
| 20. | Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | 410.71% | $73.09 | 53.97 | $10.29 B | — | 8.27% | -55.45% | $82.26 | $14.3 |
| 21. | Affirm Holdings, Inc. | 408.17% | $63.61 | 55.71 | $21.3 B | — | 3.08% | 11.17% | $100 | $42.09 |
| 22. | Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | 407.01% | $73.09 | 53.97 | $10.29 B | — | 8.27% | -55.45% | $82.26 | $14.3 |
| 23. | Sunrun Inc. | 402.39% | $13.36 | 5.56 | $3.16 B | — | -0.59% | 18.33% | $22.44 | $5.38 |
| 24. | Zoom Communications, Inc. | 395.77% | $101.62 | 15.04 | $31.14 B | — | 11.28% | 21.79% | $114.74 | $69.15 |
| 25. | Coinbase Global, Inc. | 391.44% | $152.4 | 50.15 | $40.15 B | — | 6.94% | 5.68% | $444.65 | $139.36 |
| 26. | Innodata Inc. | 385.5% | $101.97 | 90.5 | $3.56 B | — | 33.77% | 37.47% | $125.14 | $34.23 |
| 27. | Centrus Energy Corp. | 383.33% | $161.78 | 53.94 | $3.27 B | — | 2.48% | 10.71% | $464.25 | $130.81 |
| 28. | SM Energy Company | 382.16% | $32.21 | 60.46 | $7.9 B | 2.59% | 10.17% | 2.49% | $35.88 | $17.45 |
| 29. | TG Therapeutics, Inc. | 368.65% | $40.16 | 13.44 | $6.21 B | — | 13.56% | 87.36% | $44.65 | $25.28 |
| 30. | SunOpta Inc | 366.8% | $6.5 | 47.82 | $1.05 B | 0% | 8.44% | 8.89% | $9.45 | $4.68 |
| 31. | Innodata Inc. | 364.91% | $101.97 | 90.5 | $3.56 B | — | 33.77% | 37.47% | $125.14 | $34.23 |
| 32. | Aris Mining Corporation | 363.71% | $15.23 | 20.38 | $4.91 B | — | 16.22% | 13.68% | $31.47 | $8.56 |
| 33. | Tesla, Inc. | 344.14% | $391 | 380.24 | $1,468.49 B | — | 4.57% | 4.77% | $498.83 | $273.21 |
| 34. | Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | 343.18% | $31.27 | 17.31 | $3.83 B | — | 26.94% | 23.65% | $32.56 | $19.05 |
| 35. | Palantir Technologies Inc. | 340.48% | $135.53 | 142.41 | $324.91 B | — | 18.3% | 32.18% | $207.52 | $118.93 |
| 36. | ACM Research, Inc. | 340.38% | $76.29 | 58.41 | $5.32 B | — | 5.15% | 6.66% | $94.21 | $22.88 |
| 37. | Lumentum Holdings Inc. | 339.06% | $863.66 | 154.12 | $67.8 B | — | -5.02% | 30.68% | $1,085.68 | $80.39 |
| 38. | Roku, Inc. | 337.01% | $122.26 | 89.28 | $17.99 B | — | -0.18% | 7.64% | $133.46 | $73.65 |
| 39. | DraftKings Inc. | 335.14% | $24.93 | 210.91 | $12.37 B | — | -0.57% | 7.88% | $48.78 | $20.46 |
| 40. | Champion Homes, Inc. | 333.43% | $74.77 | 19.84 | $4.1 B | — | 14.29% | 13.1% | $99.17 | $59.44 |
| 41. | ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 330.56% | $21.56 | 9.89 | $3.72 B | — | 8.14% | 35.65% | $28.35 | $19.69 |
| 42. | Scorpio Tankers Inc. | 328.88% | $75.96 | 7.9 | $3.97 B | 0.02% | 8.15% | 15.85% | $87.39 | $38.67 |
| 43. | Appian Corporation | 324.21% | $24.73 | 2,062.2 | $1.83 B | — | 0.25% | -140.51% | $46.06 | $18.63 |
| 44. | Dream Finders Homes, Inc. | 310.28% | $14.6 | 7.48 | $1.31 B | 1.03% | 12.28% | 11.43% | $31.5 | $12.2 |
| 45. | Centrus Energy Corp. | 307.1% | $161.78 | 53.94 | $3.27 B | — | 2.48% | 10.71% | $464.25 | $130.81 |
| 46. | Dillard's, Inc. | 307.09% | $606.27 | 14.55 | $9.56 B | 0.2% | 26.46% | 33.83% | $741.98 | $392.01 |
| 47. | TG Therapeutics, Inc. | 306.15% | $40.16 | 13.44 | $6.21 B | — | 13.56% | 87.36% | $44.65 | $25.28 |
| 48. | Astrana Health, Inc. | 302.19% | $37.99 | 62.31 | $1.88 B | 0.13% | 4.9% | 3.88% | $39.93 | $18.08 |
| 49. | Etsy, Inc. | 301.6% | $66.86 | 22.58 | $6.43 B | — | 25.14% | 67.88% | $76.52 | $44 |
| 50. | Permian Resources Corporation | 298.67% | $19.17 | 24.8 | $16.11 B | 3.17% | 11.46% | 6.32% | $22.68 | $11.92 |
| 51. | TORM plc | 297.66% | $28.44 | 10.11 | $24.77 B | 0.07% | 11.37% | 13.26% | $229.4 | $103.75 |
| 52. | Netflix, Inc. | 297.63% | $82.18 | 25.62 | $342.57 B | — | 29.87% | 49.24% | $134.12 | $75.01 |
| 53. | Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. | 295.12% | $466.38 | 151.82 | $760.48 B | — | 5.47% | 8.08% | $546.44 | $114.71 |
| 54. | Hecla Mining Company | 291.76% | $14.78 | 36.66 | $10.04 B | 0.09% | 16.12% | 11.04% | $34.17 | $5.48 |
| 55. | Exelixis, Inc. | 291.67% | $52.7 | 15.88 | $13.23 B | — | 36.6% | 40.21% | $52.98 | $33.76 |
| 56. | AngloGold Ashanti plc | 288.18% | $84.12 | 12.23 | $42.48 B | 3.87% | 31.72% | 43.79% | $129.14 | $43.44 |
| 57. | Celsius Holdings, Inc. | 288% | $28.13 | 41.78 | $7.26 B | 0.62% | 11.59% | 6.31% | $66.74 | $27.47 |
| 58. | Global Industrial Company | 286.91% | $30.79 | 15.63 | $1.17 B | 3.66% | 24.26% | 23.95% | $38.79 | $26.04 |
| 59. | Abercrombie & Fitch Co. | 285.07% | $75.34 | 6.93 | $3.42 B | — | 28.7% | 36.89% | $133.11 | $65.45 |
| 60. | IREN Limited | 284.62% | $54.35 | 252.15 | $13.76 B | — | 0.79% | 16.17% | $76.87 | $8.82 |
| 61. | Carvana Co. | 284.13% | $66.51 | 50.53 | $72.81 B | — | 16.1% | 51.6% | $97.38 | $54.46 |
| 62. | Ubiquiti Inc. | 283.86% | $567.33 | 37.34 | $35.18 B | 0.55% | 110.68% | 101.45% | $1,099.99 | $368.42 |
| 63. | Western Digital Corporation | 283.37% | $511.72 | 31.45 | $204.78 B | 0.14% | 24.81% | 90.82% | $602.54 | $54.22 |
| 64. | Tecnoglass Inc. | 282.46% | $42.35 | 12.7 | $1.9 B | 0.01% | 25.96% | 20.25% | $90.34 | $37.52 |
| 65. | Patrick Industries, Inc. | 279.51% | $85.12 | 20.96 | $2.86 B | 2.18% | 10.12% | 11.64% | $148.5 | $83.96 |
| 66. | ADMA Biologics, Inc. | 279.42% | $7.97 | 11.19 | $1.85 B | — | 34.51% | 38.97% | $22.37 | $7.21 |
| 67. | AppLovin Corporation | 278.44% | $557.2 | 47.23 | $187.19 B | — | 70.06% | 222.04% | $745.61 | $320 |
| 68. | Twilio Inc. | 278.39% | $225.99 | 330.08 | $34.31 B | — | 1.97% | 1.32% | $238.48 | $91.84 |
| 69. | Magnite, Inc. | 276.35% | $14.68 | 13.25 | $2.1 B | — | 7.39% | 18.57% | $26.65 | $10.82 |
| 70. | Solaris Energy Infrastructure, Inc. | 276.07% | $69.39 | 110.15 | $5.1 B | 0.63% | 6.84% | 8.08% | $81.24 | $24.57 |
| 71. | Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | 272.38% | $31.27 | 17.31 | $3.83 B | — | 26.94% | 23.65% | $32.56 | $19.05 |
| 72. | Calix, Inc. | 272% | $37.27 | 72.18 | $2.45 B | — | 2.34% | 4.25% | $71.22 | $36.83 |
| 73. | Upstart Holdings, Inc. | 271.29% | $29.74 | 58.68 | $2.9 B | — | — | 7.29% | $87.3 | $23.96 |
| 74. | Coeur Mining, Inc. | 266.53% | $16.37 | 21.45 | $17.15 B | 0.22% | 18.05% | 16.27% | $27.77 | $8.46 |
| 75. | Yelp Inc. | 265.78% | $23.25 | 8.71 | $1.21 B | — | 23.46% | 19.7% | $37.85 | $19.6 |
| 76. | Centrus Energy Corp. | 264.45% | $161.78 | 53.94 | $3.27 B | — | 2.48% | 10.71% | $464.25 | $130.81 |
| 77. | Vistra Corp. | 262.99% | $148.76 | 23.14 | $51.86 B | 0.57% | 7.18% | 43.25% | $219.82 | $132.66 |
| 78. | Chord Energy Corporation | 260.89% | $134.79 | 175.63 | $7.59 B | 3.71% | 1.62% | -0.83% | $151.95 | $84.25 |
| 79. | Customers Bancorp, Inc. | 259.57% | $73.87 | 9.03 | $2.53 B | 0.29% | — | 13.62% | $82.56 | $50.06 |
| 80. | Stagwell Inc. | 258.8% | $6.44 | 83.81 | $1.6 B | — | 5.83% | 2.57% | $7.52 | $4.24 |
| 81. | Danaos Corporation | 256.1% | $129.17 | 4.56 | $2.37 B | 0.03% | 10.58% | 13.85% | $135.21 | $83.56 |
| 82. | ArcBest Corporation | 255.64% | $155.09 | 61.29 | $3.43 B | 0.33% | 5.55% | 4.3% | $155.68 | $59.43 |
| 83. | Pinterest, Inc. | 253.54% | $21.42 | 35.89 | $12 B | — | 6.36% | 7.76% | $39.93 | $13.84 |
| 84. | Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | 253.14% | $73.09 | 53.97 | $10.29 B | — | 8.27% | -55.45% | $82.26 | $14.3 |
| 85. | Freedom Holdings Corp. | 252.89% | $148.51 | 3,418.16 | $9.1 B | — | 23.41% | 0.21% | $194.01 | $107.97 |
| 86. | Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | 252.33% | $303.05 | 70.37 | $40.62 B | — | 14.33% | 98.29% | $495.55 | $283.1 |
| 87. | XPEL, Inc. | 251.95% | $44.56 | 23.54 | $1.25 B | — | 20.11% | 19.39% | $55.91 | $31.26 |
| 88. | Vertiv Holdings Co | 251.61% | $300.51 | 81.69 | $127.31 B | 0.07% | 24.29% | 42.06% | $379.94 | $107.38 |
| 89. | Vistance Networks, Inc. | 247.98% | $11.75 | 1.08 | $2.75 B | 0.7% | 0.4% | 119.88% | $20.55 | $5.5 |
| 90. | Block, Inc. | 247.89% | $68.15 | 51.47 | $41.54 B | — | 10.44% | 3.64% | $82.5 | $48.21 |
| 91. | Best Buy Co., Inc. | 247.58% | $71.54 | 13.07 | $14.94 B | 5.41% | 25.03% | 40.05% | $84.99 | $55.1 |
| 92. | Orla Mining Ltd. | 247.07% | $10.81 | 15.51 | $5.43 B | 0.38% | 29.69% | 40.6% | $29.99 | $12.67 |
| 93. | Super Micro Computer, Inc. | 246.24% | $41.64 | 20.08 | $25.04 B | — | 10.73% | 18.22% | $62.36 | $19.48 |
| 94. | Stagwell Inc. | 245.42% | $6.44 | 83.81 | $1.6 B | — | 5.83% | 2.57% | $7.52 | $4.24 |
| 95. | Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd | 245.2% | $206.89 | 80.8 | $38.16 B | — | 5.42% | 31.59% | $245.95 | $66.75 |
| 96. | Twilio Inc. | 244.42% | $225.99 | 330.08 | $34.31 B | — | 1.97% | 1.32% | $238.48 | $91.84 |
| 97. | Tidewater Inc. | 244.07% | $72.48 | 12.26 | $3.65 B | — | 13.38% | 23.78% | $93.13 | $41.52 |
| 98. | Aveanna Healthcare Holdings Inc. | 243.59% | $6.68 | 5.52 | $1.44 B | — | 16.39% | 157.75% | $10.32 | $3.73 |
| 99. | Micron Technology, Inc. | 243.06% | $864.01 | 42 | $1,012.71 B | 0.05% | 13.75% | 40.84% | $1,089.29 | $103.38 |
| 100. | Gold.com, Inc. | 241.36% | $39.62 | 14.49 | $1.17 B | 1.95% | 4.43% | 11.52% | $66.7 | $20.25 |