Zacks Market Edge · Zacks Investment Research

Top Stocks at 52-Week Highs: They Aren’t What You Think

August 29, 2025·34 min·3 clips

Discover why leisure and gold stocks, not tech, dominate the 52-week high list.

This solo episode of Zack's Market Edge features host Tracy Reineck analyzing stocks trading near their 52-week highs that also hold a Zack's Rank of #1, #2, or #3. Reineck explains she ran a stock screener set to identify companies within 1% of their 52-week high, which yielded 223 matches. She notes the results were not dominated by big technology stocks, as many have not yet reclaimed their price levels from a year ago. The screen revealed strength in sectors like leisure, with Carnival Cruise Lines and Las Vegas Sands appearing, and in gold mining, with Newmont and Barrick Gold on the list. Other prominent categories included regional banks, certain auto companies, and construction-related firms tied to data center building. Reineck begins her detailed review with Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), a stock that has rallied back to its 2020 purchase price after a significant sell-off. She points out ADM's earnings are still expected to decline in 2025 before a potential rebound in 2026, and it holds a Zack's Rank of #3. The analysis highlights BorgWarner (BWA) for its strong rally and upward revisions to earnings estimates, coupled with attractive 'A' style scores for value, growth, and momentum. Bank of America (BAC) is discussed for trading near five-year highs and showing projected double-digit earnings growth for 2025 and 2026. Alphabet (GOOGL) is identified as breaking out to new all-time highs, though its forecasted earnings growth for next year is a more modest 6%. United Rentals (URI) is presented as a construction equipment play that has recovered its post-"Liberation Day" losses and reached new highs. Reineck contrasts these with Hawaiian Electric Industries (HE), which made the screen but shows a flat, uninteresting chart. Lincoln Electric (LECO) is noted for its #2 Zack's Rank and recent positive estimate revisions, suggesting analyst optimism. The most compelling find is Tutor Perini (TPC), which holds the rare #1 Zack's Rank and is in the top 1% of industries, with explosive sales and earnings growth projections. Reineck concludes by explaining how listeners can replicate this "52-week high" screen on Zacks.com to uncover similar opportunities. The episode maintains an educational and analytical tone, walking through specific charts and financial metrics for each stock. It is conversational, as Reineck shares her real-time observations and reactions to the screening results. This episode is ideal for self-directed investors interested in momentum screening and discovering potential turnaround stories or sector trends beyond the headline tech names. Listeners seeking broad market commentary or definitive buy/sell recommendations might find the detailed, ticker-by-ticker approach too granular.

As heard by us

A broad stock screen that stays disciplined when the chart gets loud.

Tracy Reineck treats stocks near 52-week highs as a starting point, not a signal to chase. She opens with a broad screen, then tightens it with Zacks rank and with what valuation and the chart are saying.

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Why you'd press play

You want a quick screen of stocks trading at or near 52-week highs without the victory-lap nonsense.

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