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Growth stocks have powered a significant share of market gains in recent years.
Growth stocks can carry high valuations and suffer more short-term volatility due to market expectations.
Top rated Growth Stocks include several mining companies and high-tech, AI-driven companies.
Growth stocks have powered a significant share of market gains in recent years, driven by innovation, digital transformation, and expanding global demand. These companies typically reinvest profits to scale operations, launch new products, and capture market share, emphasizing long-term expansion over immediate dividend payouts. From industry-defining technology firms to breakthrough healthcare and consumer brands, growth companies play a pivotal role in many investors’ portfolios.
That potential, however, comes with trade-offs. Growth stocks often carry higher valuations and can be more sensitive to interest rates, earnings expectations, and shifts in market sentiment. Price swings can be sharp, especially when companies fall short of lofty forecasts.
Should you buy a growth stock?
For investors focused on long-term capital appreciation and comfortable with short-term price swings, growth stocks can be powerful long-term wealth builders. Success depends on understanding how these businesses create value, recognizing when growth investing tends to outperform, and knowing how to evaluate opportunities while managing risk within a diversified portfolio.
This is our short term rating system that serves as a timeliness indicator for stocks over the next 1 to 3 months. How good is it? See rankings and related performance below.
The Zacks Industry Rank assigns a rating to each of the 265 X (Expanded) Industries based on their average Zacks Rank.
An industry with a larger percentage of Zacks Rank #1's and #2's will have a better average Zacks Rank than one with a larger percentage of Zacks Rank #4's and #5's.
The industry with the best average Zacks Rank would be considered the top industry (1 out of 265), which would place it in the top 1% of Zacks Ranked Industries. The industry with the worst average Zacks Rank (265 out of 265) would place in the bottom 1%.
The Zacks Sector Rank assigns a rating to each of the 16 Sectors based on their average Zacks Rank.
A sector with a larger percentage of Zacks Rank #1's and #2's will have a better average Zacks Rank than one with a larger percentage of Zacks Rank #4's and #5's.
The sector with the best average Zacks Rank would be considered the top sector (1 out of 16), which would place it in the top 1% of Zacks Ranked Sectors. The sector with the worst average Zacks Rank (16 out of 16) would place in the bottom 1%.
The Style Scores are a complementary set of indicators to use alongside the Zacks Rank. It allows the user to better focus on the stocks that are the best fit for his or her personal trading style.
The scores are based on the trading styles of Value, Growth, and Momentum. There's also a VGM Score ('V' for Value, 'G' for Growth and 'M' for Momentum), which combines the weighted average of the individual style scores into one score.
Value ScoreA
Growth ScoreA
Momentum ScoreA
VGM ScoreA
Within each Score, stocks are graded into five groups: A, B, C, D and F. As you might remember from your school days, an A, is better than a B; a B is better than a C; a C is better than a D; and a D is better than an F.
As an investor, you want to buy stocks with the highest probability of success. That means you want to buy stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2, Strong Buy or Buy, which also has a Score of an A or a B in your personal trading style.
Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) looks to find companies that have recently seen positive earnings estimate revision activity. The idea is that more recent information is, generally speaking, more accurate and can be a better predictor of the future, which can give investors an advantage in earnings season.
The technique has proven to be very useful for finding positive surprises. In fact, when combining a Zacks Rank #3 or better and a positive Earnings ESP, stocks produced a positive surprise 70% of the time, while they also saw 28.3% annual returns on average, according to our 10 year backtest.
Sibanye-Stillwater is a diversified miner with the potential for a rebound in PGMs and gold, and recent updates suggest the restructuring is starting to take hold. In its latest update, the U.S. PGM unit produced in line with plan, while average basket price and adjusted EBITDA increased and sustaining costs decreased from a year ago. Favorable precious-metals tailwinds remain a key profit driver.
Potential Risks
PGM prices and auto-catalyst demand remain the key swing factors, and South African power, wage, and safety disruptions can squeeze margins.
Forecast
A Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) reflects positive estimate revisions. Style Scores of B for Value and Momentum and A for Growth suggest the stock has some valuation support and is already attracting buyers. The Price, Consensus & EPS Surprise chart shows a long base followed by a steep breakout, with 2026–2027 consensus lines rising.
This is our short term rating system that serves as a timeliness indicator for stocks over the next 1 to 3 months. How good is it? See rankings and related performance below.
The Zacks Industry Rank assigns a rating to each of the 265 X (Expanded) Industries based on their average Zacks Rank.
An industry with a larger percentage of Zacks Rank #1's and #2's will have a better average Zacks Rank than one with a larger percentage of Zacks Rank #4's and #5's.
The industry with the best average Zacks Rank would be considered the top industry (1 out of 265), which would place it in the top 1% of Zacks Ranked Industries. The industry with the worst average Zacks Rank (265 out of 265) would place in the bottom 1%.
The Zacks Sector Rank assigns a rating to each of the 16 Sectors based on their average Zacks Rank.
A sector with a larger percentage of Zacks Rank #1's and #2's will have a better average Zacks Rank than one with a larger percentage of Zacks Rank #4's and #5's.
The sector with the best average Zacks Rank would be considered the top sector (1 out of 16), which would place it in the top 1% of Zacks Ranked Sectors. The sector with the worst average Zacks Rank (16 out of 16) would place in the bottom 1%.
The Style Scores are a complementary set of indicators to use alongside the Zacks Rank. It allows the user to better focus on the stocks that are the best fit for his or her personal trading style.
The scores are based on the trading styles of Value, Growth, and Momentum. There's also a VGM Score ('V' for Value, 'G' for Growth and 'M' for Momentum), which combines the weighted average of the individual style scores into one score.
Value ScoreA
Growth ScoreA
Momentum ScoreA
VGM ScoreA
Within each Score, stocks are graded into five groups: A, B, C, D and F. As you might remember from your school days, an A, is better than a B; a B is better than a C; a C is better than a D; and a D is better than an F.
As an investor, you want to buy stocks with the highest probability of success. That means you want to buy stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2, Strong Buy or Buy, which also has a Score of an A or a B in your personal trading style.
Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) looks to find companies that have recently seen positive earnings estimate revision activity. The idea is that more recent information is, generally speaking, more accurate and can be a better predictor of the future, which can give investors an advantage in earnings season.
The technique has proven to be very useful for finding positive surprises. In fact, when combining a Zacks Rank #3 or better and a positive Earnings ESP, stocks produced a positive surprise 70% of the time, while they also saw 28.3% annual returns on average, according to our 10 year backtest.
Nexa Resources is a Latin American base-metals producer whose earnings expand quickly when zinc and copper prices cooperate. In Q4 2025, net revenues increased sequentially and adjusted EBITDA improved, while zinc production jumped 24%year over year. Price leverage and steadier operations are translating into cash flow. Deleveraging also accelerated, with management reporting a lower net-debt-to-EBITDA ratio from the prior quarter.
Potential Risks
Peru and Brazil exposure brings permitting, community and tax risk, and higher treatment and refining charges or weaker zinc prices can compress margins. Debt keeps the equity sensitive to execution or cost inflation.
Forecast
A Zacks Rank #1 points to upward estimate revisions. With Value B, Growth A and Momentum D, the stock may react more to earnings than trend signals. The chart shows a late-2025 base then a steep 2026 spike. The 2026–2027 consensus lines are edging higher after choppy revisions.
This is our short term rating system that serves as a timeliness indicator for stocks over the next 1 to 3 months. How good is it? See rankings and related performance below.
The Zacks Industry Rank assigns a rating to each of the 265 X (Expanded) Industries based on their average Zacks Rank.
An industry with a larger percentage of Zacks Rank #1's and #2's will have a better average Zacks Rank than one with a larger percentage of Zacks Rank #4's and #5's.
The industry with the best average Zacks Rank would be considered the top industry (1 out of 265), which would place it in the top 1% of Zacks Ranked Industries. The industry with the worst average Zacks Rank (265 out of 265) would place in the bottom 1%.
The Zacks Sector Rank assigns a rating to each of the 16 Sectors based on their average Zacks Rank.
A sector with a larger percentage of Zacks Rank #1's and #2's will have a better average Zacks Rank than one with a larger percentage of Zacks Rank #4's and #5's.
The sector with the best average Zacks Rank would be considered the top sector (1 out of 16), which would place it in the top 1% of Zacks Ranked Sectors. The sector with the worst average Zacks Rank (16 out of 16) would place in the bottom 1%.
The Style Scores are a complementary set of indicators to use alongside the Zacks Rank. It allows the user to better focus on the stocks that are the best fit for his or her personal trading style.
The scores are based on the trading styles of Value, Growth, and Momentum. There's also a VGM Score ('V' for Value, 'G' for Growth and 'M' for Momentum), which combines the weighted average of the individual style scores into one score.
Value ScoreA
Growth ScoreA
Momentum ScoreA
VGM ScoreA
Within each Score, stocks are graded into five groups: A, B, C, D and F. As you might remember from your school days, an A, is better than a B; a B is better than a C; a C is better than a D; and a D is better than an F.
As an investor, you want to buy stocks with the highest probability of success. That means you want to buy stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2, Strong Buy or Buy, which also has a Score of an A or a B in your personal trading style.
Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) looks to find companies that have recently seen positive earnings estimate revision activity. The idea is that more recent information is, generally speaking, more accurate and can be a better predictor of the future, which can give investors an advantage in earnings season.
The technique has proven to be very useful for finding positive surprises. In fact, when combining a Zacks Rank #3 or better and a positive Earnings ESP, stocks produced a positive surprise 70% of the time, while they also saw 28.3% annual returns on average, according to our 10 year backtest.
IAMGOLD is a gold producer in a growth step-change as Côté Gold ramps and lifts the company’s production profile. The latest operating update cited record quarterly production and full-year 2025 attributable output landing at the midpoint of guidance, an improvement versus earlier years of lumpier delivery. Management is also pointing to 2026 optimization and expansion work at Côté, adding a longer runway than a simple gold-price trade.
Potential Risks
Royalties and inflation have already pushed cost guidance higher, and further creep can dilute leverage to bullion. Jurisdictional risk at Essakane (Burkina Faso) remains a big swing factor.
Forecast
A Zacks Rank #1 suggests estimates are rising. With C for Value, A for Growth and D for Momentum, fundamentals may lead price action. The chart shows a steady climb turning into a sharp 2026 breakout and 2026–2027 consensus lines trend higher as recent surprises skew positive.
This is our short term rating system that serves as a timeliness indicator for stocks over the next 1 to 3 months. How good is it? See rankings and related performance below.
The Zacks Industry Rank assigns a rating to each of the 265 X (Expanded) Industries based on their average Zacks Rank.
An industry with a larger percentage of Zacks Rank #1's and #2's will have a better average Zacks Rank than one with a larger percentage of Zacks Rank #4's and #5's.
The industry with the best average Zacks Rank would be considered the top industry (1 out of 265), which would place it in the top 1% of Zacks Ranked Industries. The industry with the worst average Zacks Rank (265 out of 265) would place in the bottom 1%.
The Zacks Sector Rank assigns a rating to each of the 16 Sectors based on their average Zacks Rank.
A sector with a larger percentage of Zacks Rank #1's and #2's will have a better average Zacks Rank than one with a larger percentage of Zacks Rank #4's and #5's.
The sector with the best average Zacks Rank would be considered the top sector (1 out of 16), which would place it in the top 1% of Zacks Ranked Sectors. The sector with the worst average Zacks Rank (16 out of 16) would place in the bottom 1%.
The Style Scores are a complementary set of indicators to use alongside the Zacks Rank. It allows the user to better focus on the stocks that are the best fit for his or her personal trading style.
The scores are based on the trading styles of Value, Growth, and Momentum. There's also a VGM Score ('V' for Value, 'G' for Growth and 'M' for Momentum), which combines the weighted average of the individual style scores into one score.
Value ScoreA
Growth ScoreA
Momentum ScoreA
VGM ScoreA
Within each Score, stocks are graded into five groups: A, B, C, D and F. As you might remember from your school days, an A, is better than a B; a B is better than a C; a C is better than a D; and a D is better than an F.
As an investor, you want to buy stocks with the highest probability of success. That means you want to buy stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2, Strong Buy or Buy, which also has a Score of an A or a B in your personal trading style.
Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) looks to find companies that have recently seen positive earnings estimate revision activity. The idea is that more recent information is, generally speaking, more accurate and can be a better predictor of the future, which can give investors an advantage in earnings season.
The technique has proven to be very useful for finding positive surprises. In fact, when combining a Zacks Rank #3 or better and a positive Earnings ESP, stocks produced a positive surprise 70% of the time, while they also saw 28.3% annual returns on average, according to our 10 year backtest.
Aura Minerals is a mid-tier gold-and-copper producer in the Americas, with growth driven by rising output alongside supportive prices. In its preliminary Q4 2025 update, Aura signaled record production and said 2025 guidance was achieved, reinforcing that recent project execution is scaling the platform. Mine lives extensions and transformative acquisitions remain major tailwinds.
Potential Risks
Rapid expansion increases ramp-up and cost risk, and new projects can run into permitting delays or community pushback. Operational hiccups, lower grades, plant downtime, or slower throughput could affect cash generation.
Forecast
A Zacks Rank #1 suggests estimates are moving up. A Growth Score of A highlights strong expansion potential, while a C for Value and a B for Momentum suggest investors are paying up for growth, and the trend has been supportive. The chart shows a parabolic 2026 surge with forward consensus lines trending higher.
This is our short term rating system that serves as a timeliness indicator for stocks over the next 1 to 3 months. How good is it? See rankings and related performance below.
The Zacks Industry Rank assigns a rating to each of the 265 X (Expanded) Industries based on their average Zacks Rank.
An industry with a larger percentage of Zacks Rank #1's and #2's will have a better average Zacks Rank than one with a larger percentage of Zacks Rank #4's and #5's.
The industry with the best average Zacks Rank would be considered the top industry (1 out of 265), which would place it in the top 1% of Zacks Ranked Industries. The industry with the worst average Zacks Rank (265 out of 265) would place in the bottom 1%.
The Zacks Sector Rank assigns a rating to each of the 16 Sectors based on their average Zacks Rank.
A sector with a larger percentage of Zacks Rank #1's and #2's will have a better average Zacks Rank than one with a larger percentage of Zacks Rank #4's and #5's.
The sector with the best average Zacks Rank would be considered the top sector (1 out of 16), which would place it in the top 1% of Zacks Ranked Sectors. The sector with the worst average Zacks Rank (16 out of 16) would place in the bottom 1%.
The Style Scores are a complementary set of indicators to use alongside the Zacks Rank. It allows the user to better focus on the stocks that are the best fit for his or her personal trading style.
The scores are based on the trading styles of Value, Growth, and Momentum. There's also a VGM Score ('V' for Value, 'G' for Growth and 'M' for Momentum), which combines the weighted average of the individual style scores into one score.
Value ScoreA
Growth ScoreA
Momentum ScoreA
VGM ScoreA
Within each Score, stocks are graded into five groups: A, B, C, D and F. As you might remember from your school days, an A, is better than a B; a B is better than a C; a C is better than a D; and a D is better than an F.
As an investor, you want to buy stocks with the highest probability of success. That means you want to buy stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2, Strong Buy or Buy, which also has a Score of an A or a B in your personal trading style.
Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) looks to find companies that have recently seen positive earnings estimate revision activity. The idea is that more recent information is, generally speaking, more accurate and can be a better predictor of the future, which can give investors an advantage in earnings season.
The technique has proven to be very useful for finding positive surprises. In fact, when combining a Zacks Rank #3 or better and a positive Earnings ESP, stocks produced a positive surprise 70% of the time, while they also saw 28.3% annual returns on average, according to our 10 year backtest.
DRDGOLD is a South African tailings-recovery gold producer with a capital-light model that can convert strong gold prices into cash and dividends. In its latest update, management highlighted cash generation while continuing reinvestment into long-life assets, a mix that has historically supported regular distributions. Operating updates also showed balance sheet flexibility versus higher-capex peers.
Potential Risks
Results are highly sensitive to the rand gold price, and a stronger rand or weaker bullion can compress margins quickly. South African power reliability, inflation and regulatory shifts remain ongoing risks, while high growth capex can pressure near-term free cash.
Forecast
A Zacks Rank #1 signals positive estimate revisions. With Value C, Growth A and Momentum D, the setup is fundamentals-led with some technical support. The chart shows a long base followed by a powerful uptrend. Consensus EPS lines are steady but edging higher, consistent with gradual revisions.
The Zacks Rank is a proprietary stock-rating model that uses trends in earnings estimate revisions and earnings-per-share (EPS) surprises to classify stocks into five groups: #1 (Strong Buy), #2 (Buy), #3 (Hold), #4 (Sell) and #5 (Strong Sell). The Zacks Rank is calculated through four primary factors related to earnings estimates: analysts' consensus on earnings estimate revisions, the magnitude of revision change, the upside potential and estimate surprise (or the degree in which earnings per share deviated from the previous quarter).
Zacks builds the data from 3,000 analysts at over 150 different brokerage firms. The average yearly gain for Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks is +23.62% per year from January, 1988, through June 2, 2025.
Selections for Best Growth Stocks are based on the current top ranking stocks based on Zacks Indicator Score, Style Scores and fundamentals. For this list, only companies that have average daily trading volumes of 100,000 shares or more were considered, as well as companies from the top 50% of all industries. All information is current as of market open March 3, 2026.
General Questions About Growth Stocks
What is a growth stock?
A growth stock represents a company expected to grow sales, earnings, or cash flow faster than the broader market. These firms often operate in expanding industries and reinvest heavily in research, marketing, and infrastructure to sustain momentum.
What are the benefits of buying growth stocks?
Growth stocks offer the potential for significant price appreciation, exposure to innovative business models, and long-term compounding. When successful, they can outperform more mature companies by a wide margin.
What are the risks of buying growth stocks?
Higher valuations, sensitivity to interest rates, and reliance on future earnings projections increase downside risk. If growth slows or expectations fall, share prices can decline sharply.
Growth vs. value stocks: What’s better right now?
Growth stocks tend to excel during periods of economic expansion and technological change, while value stocks often perform better when investors prioritize stability and income. Market leadership can rotate, making diversification across styles important.
Are growth stocks a good investment during economic uncertainty?
During uncertain periods, growth stocks may experience heightened volatility. Companies with strong balance sheets, recurring revenue, and durable demand tend to hold up better than speculative names.
How do growth stocks differ from dividend stocks?
Dividend stocks focus on returning cash to shareholders, while growth stocks reinvest profits to fuel expansion. Investors often choose growth for appreciation and dividends for income.
Are growth stocks suitable for beginners?
They can be, especially through diversified funds or established large-cap names. Beginners should avoid concentrating too heavily in speculative or unprofitable companies.
How do growth stocks perform during recessions?
Performance varies. Some growth companies with essential products continue to expand, while others tied to discretionary spending may struggle.
Look for consistent revenue growth, expanding addressable markets, competitive advantages, and strong management execution.
What metrics should I look at in growth stocks?
Common metrics include revenue growth rates, earnings growth, free cash flow trends, return on invested capital, and valuation ratios relative to growth expectations.
What ETFs contain the best growth stocks?
Growth-focused ETFs often track large-cap or sector-specific indexes, offering exposure to leading growth companies while reducing single-stock risk.
Should I diversify my growth stock portfolio?
Yes. Diversifying across sectors, company sizes, and geographies can help manage volatility and reduce reliance on any single trend.
Are growth stocks a good investment during economic uncertainty?
Quality growth stocks with pricing power and resilient demand can still perform well, but position sizing and diversification are critical.
What sectors typically produce strong growth stocks?
Certain sectors consistently produce growth leaders due to innovation, scale advantages, or long-term demand trends. Examples include:
Technology and AI: Companies benefiting from cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and software platforms, such as NVIDIA, Microsoft, Alphabet, and Amazon.
Consumer Discretionary: Brands and platforms capturing shifts in consumer behavior and digital commerce, including Tesla, Amazon, and Booking Holdings.
Healthcare and Biotechnology: Firms developing breakthrough drugs, medical devices, or diagnostics, such as Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, and Intuitive Surgical.
Communication Services: Digital advertising, streaming, and social platforms with scalable user bases, including Meta Platforms and Netflix.
Financial Technology: Companies modernizing payments, trading, and financial infrastructure, such as Visa, Mastercard, and Block.
Clean Energy and Electrification: Businesses tied to renewable power, battery technology, and grid modernization, including NextEra Energy, Enphase Energy, and Tesla.
These sectors frequently generate high-growth opportunities, though leadership within them can change over time.
Do growth stocks work for long-term or short-term strategies?
They are generally better suited for long-term investing, allowing time for innovation and expansion to translate into earnings growth.
What are common mistakes to avoid when investing in growth stocks?
Chasing hype, ignoring valuation, overconcentration, and selling too quickly during volatility are frequent pitfalls.
How to Purchase Growth Stocks
Do I need a broker to buy growth stocks?
Yes. Most investors use online brokerage platforms that offer access to individual stocks, ETFs, and research tools.
How much should I invest in my first growth stock purchase?
Start with an amount that fits your overall financial plan and risk tolerance. Many investors begin with smaller positions and add over time.
Strategies for Buying Growth Stocks
How often should I rebalance a growth-focused portfolio?
Rebalancing annually or semiannually helps maintain target allocations and manage risk.
When should I sell a growth stock?
Consider selling if the company’s fundamentals deteriorate, growth prospects fade, or the position becomes too large relative to your portfolio.
How do I track performance and assess whether a growth stock is still strong?
Monitor earnings reports, revenue trends, competitive positioning, and management guidance.
What tax implications come with selling growth stocks?
Selling at a profit may trigger capital gains taxes, with rates depending on holding period and income level.
Growth Stock Alternatives
Are index funds a safer alternative to picking growth stocks?
Index funds provide broad exposure and lower risk than individual stock selection, making them appealing for many investors.
What are conservative investment options if growth stocks are too risky?
Options include value stocks, dividend-paying equities, bonds, and balanced funds that emphasize capital preservation.
View the Zacks #1 Rank List
Strong Buy 
