Vince Holding Corp., Vera Bradley Inc., American Outdoor Brands Inc., Nutex Health Inc. and Forum Energy Technologies Inc. displayed recent price strength following a mixed September for U.S. equities. While the S&P 500 declined 0.5% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 4.3%, the Nasdaq Composite rose 1.9%, creating a backdrop where specific names outperformed broader benchmarks. Zacks Investment Research identified these five companies from a screen of over 7,700 stocks, noting that sustained uptrends often signal underlying momentum that may carry forward.
The screening process applied several criteria to isolate potential winners, requiring a positive four-week price change and a 12-week price increase. To ensure selection was not driven solely by short-term market swings, the screen also required a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy) and an Average Broker Rating of 1. Additionally, stocks needed to be trading above $5 and within 85% of their 52-week highs. These filters narrowed the initial universe to eight stocks, of which five are detailed here.
Vince Holding Corp. operates in the ready-to-wear apparel sector, selling signature cashmere sweaters, leather jackets, and other items through wholesale and direct-to-consumer channels. The company’s stock price surged 64.1% over the past four weeks. Zacks data indicates an expected earnings growth rate of more than 100% for the current fiscal year ending January 2027. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved by 12.1% over the last 30 days.
Vera Bradley Inc. designs and markets accessories for women, including handbags and travel items, sold through indirect retail partners and its own direct channels such as full-price stores and its e-commerce platform. The stock jumped 52.5% in the past four weeks. For the current fiscal year ending January 2027, the company has an expected earnings growth rate of 62.7%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings has improved by 21.4% over the last 30 days.
American Outdoor Brands Inc. provides outdoor products and accessories under brands including Caldwell, Crimson Trace, and Smith & Wesson Accessories. The stock advanced 12.9% over the past four weeks. The company expects earnings growth of more than 100% for the current fiscal year ending April 2027. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved by 27.5% over the last 30 days.
Nutex Health Inc., a physician-led healthcare services company with divisions in micro hospitals and population health management, saw its stock advance 12% in the past four weeks. The company has an expected earnings growth rate of more than 100% for the current fiscal year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings has improved by 21.4% over the last 30 days.
Forum Energy Technologies Inc., a global oilfield products company serving the subsea and drilling sectors, gained 3.6% in its stock price over the past four weeks. The company expects earnings growth of more than 100% for the current fiscal year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings has improved by 31.1% over the last 30 days.