Investors who have the propensity to take higher risk can think of investing in momentum stocks to boost their gains. In this respect, the Driehaus strategy can be used to choose the best momentum stocks using the “buy high and sell higher” theory. Eventually, Richard Herman Driehaus earned his place in Barron’s All-Century Team following the success of this investment strategy.
The American Association of Individual Investors (AAII) proved that the strategy has the potential to offer higher-than-market returns. AAII’s portfolio, which was developed based on the Driehaus strategy, has returned more than 300% since the end of the last bear market compared with 85.5% gains registered by the S&P 500.
A Detailed Look into the 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 line with this insight, AAII took into account the percentage 50-day moving average as one of the key criteria before creating a portfolio following Driehaus’ philosophy.
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 in this strategy. 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 focuses 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 addition to the 50-day moving average and relative strength, we have considered a few parameters for picking the best stocks. As companies with a strong history of beating estimates usually outperform the market, we added this to our screen. Also, 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 good market or bad, stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) 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
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 6,832 stocks to only 16.
Here are four of the 12 stocks:
Air Transport Services Group, Inc. ATSG is a provider of provider of aircraft leasing and air cargo transportation and related services. It has a Momentum Score of B and trailing four-quarter positive earnings surprise of 17.1%, on average.
Digi International Inc. DGII is a provider of business and mission critical Internet of Things (IOT) products, services and solutions. It has a Momentum Score of A and trailing four-quarter positive earnings surprise of more than 100%, on average.
America’s Car-Mart, Inc. CRMT is an operator of automotive dealerships in eleven states in America. It has a Momentum Score of A and last four-quarter positive earnings surprise of 26.5%, on average.
Zumiez Inc. ZUMZ is a specialty retailer of apparel, footwear, equipment and accessories. It has a Momentum Score of A and last four-quarter positive earnings surprise of 63.5%, 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.
Click here to sign up for a free trial to the Research Wizard today.
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.
Digi International Inc. (DGII): Free Stock Analysis Report
America’s Car-Mart, Inc. (CRMT): Free Stock Analysis Report
Zumiez Inc. (ZUMZ): Free Stock Analysis Report
Air Transport Services Group, Inc (ATSG): Free Stock Analysis Report
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
