3 Momentum Stocks Near 52-Week Highs to Watch for More Growth
These three stocks are trading near their respective 52-week highs and have catalysts that suggest it’s safe for investors to chase them higher
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When a stock trades at or near its 52-week average, it can be a sign of bullish momentum. Many investors consider 52 weeks to be a significant length of time to compare a stock鈥檚 price performance to its near-term prospects. If the stock is rising because of forthcoming catalysts, hitting a 52-week high can be just the beginning.
Part of the attraction of buying stocks that are trading near their 52-week highs is psychological. Many investors see this as a bullish indicator and will bid the stock higher.
However, investors must understand why a stock is moving higher. If the stock is part of a short squeeze, like聽 in 2021, it聽is usually moving higher for reasons that have nothing to do with the underlying business. Frequently, this ends poorly for investors who don鈥檛 get out before the stock鈥檚 sharp reversal.
If the growth is coming for organic reasons, such as new business or broad economic growth, it could be a great time to buy. MarketBeat tracks stocks that are trading at, or near, their 52-week highs. Here are three stocks that appear to have catalysts that can move them higher.
Strategic Acquisitions Drive Fiserv鈥檚 Innovation and Growth
is a fintech company that has a global reach. The company鈥檚 commitment to innovation, quality, and management has made it one of Fortune鈥檚 鈥淲orld’s Most Admired Companies鈥 in 10 of the last 11 years.
FI stock reached its 52-week high in early March 2025. This was also the fintech company鈥檚 all-time high. It seems investors were buying the news of the company鈥檚 expected acquisition of CCV, a payment solutions provider based in the Netherlands. The acquisition will allow Fiserv to accelerate the deployment of its Clover platform and operating system across Europe.
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That鈥檚 not the only acquisition of note. The company recently added Payfare鈥檚 expertise in card program management, which strengthens Fiserv鈥檚 reach in the growing gig economy and new workforce models.
But after buying the rumor, investors were selling the news even before the acquisition was confirmed on March 19, 2025. This seems like a case of聽profit-taking. The聽 give the stock a consensus price target of $242.32, which would be a new 52-week high. Many聽analysts have price targets far above consensus.
Darden Restaurants Outperforms Amidst Bullish Sentiment
is outperforming many and trading at its 52-week high as of March 27, 2025. Darden is the parent company of restaurant chains such as Olive Garden, Longhorn Steakhouse, and Capital Grille.
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The catalyst for Darden was an earnings report in which the company delivered year-over-year聽gains in revenue and earnings and issued bullish guidance for the current quarter. Analysts are greeted with bullish sentiment, raising their price targets to 10% or more above the .
DRI stock is up 25% in the last 12 months and 11.8% in 2025. Despite that, the stock still trades at a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of around 22x, which is slightly higher than its five-year average but not in an area that would make the stock overvalued. Plus, after suspending its dividend in 2020, the company reinstated it in 2025, and it is growing.
Kinross Gold: A Safe Haven Amidst Market Volatility
Gold mining stocks are a good place to look for investors looking to ride the hot hand. is trading at an all-time high as of March 27, 2025. That trend follows the spot price of gold, which continues to set record highs.
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The case for KGC stock moving higher is in line with the overall narrative for gold. Inflation is expected to tick higher due to the effects of the Trump administration’s tariffs, which are igniting a trade war. There鈥檚 also a concern over how effective the DOGE program will be at creating a meaningful reduction in U.S. debts and deficits.
The next key milestone for Kinross is coming in early May when the company reports earnings. That may be the catalyst for sending price targets higher than the current consensus price, which is 6.6% lower than the KGC stock closing price of $12.46 on March 27, 2025.
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When a stock trades at or near its 52-week average, it can be a sign of bullish momentum. Many investors consider 52 weeks to be a significant length of time to compare a stock鈥檚 price performance to its near-term prospects. If the stock is rising because of forthcoming catalysts, hitting a 52-week high can be just the beginning.
Part of the attraction of buying stocks that are trading near their 52-week highs is psychological. Many investors see this as a bullish indicator and will bid the stock higher.
