The stocks in this article are all trading near their 52-week highs. This strength often reflects positive developments such as new product launches, favorable industry trends, or improved financial performance.
While momentum can be a leading indicator, it has burned many investors as it doesn’t always correlate with long-term success. Keeping that in mind, here are three stocks with lasting competitive advantages.
Powell (POWL)
One-Month Return: +27.9%
Originally a metal-working shop supporting local petrochemical facilities, Powell (NYSE: POWL) has grown from a small Houston manufacturer to a global provider of electrical systems.
Why Are We Bullish on POWL?
- Impressive 28.7% annual revenue growth over the last two years indicates it’s winning market share this cycle
- Performance over the past two years shows its incremental sales were extremely profitable, as its annual earnings per share growth of 124% outpaced its revenue gains
- Free cash flow margin increased by 12.8 percentage points over the last five years, giving the company more capital to invest or return to shareholders
Powell’s stock price of $390 implies a valuation ratio of 26x forward P/E. Is now the time to initiate a position? Find out in our full research report, it’s free for active Edge members.
Dycom (DY)
One-Month Return: -1.9%
Working alongside some of the most popular mobile carriers in the world, Dycom (NYSE: DY) builds and maintains telecommunications infrastructure.
Why Do We Like DY?
- Impressive 11.1% annual revenue growth over the last two years indicates it’s winning market share this cycle
- Operating profits increased over the last five years as the company gained some leverage on its fixed costs and became more efficient
- Performance over the past two years was turbocharged by share buybacks, which enabled its earnings per share to grow faster than its revenue
Dycom is trading at $286.36 per share, or 27.1x forward P/E. Is now a good time to buy? See for yourself in our full research report, it’s free for active Edge members.
Mirion (MIR)
One-Month Return: +24%
With its technology protecting workers in over 130 countries and equipment used in 80% of cancer centers worldwide, Mirion Technologies (NYSE: MIR) provides radiation detection, measurement, and monitoring solutions for medical, nuclear energy, defense, and scientific research applications.
Why Do We Watch MIR?
- Annual revenue growth of 11.8% over the last five years was superb and indicates its market share increased during this cycle
- Operating profits and efficiency rose over the last five years as it benefited from some fixed cost leverage
- Incremental sales over the last two years have been highly profitable as its earnings per share increased by 29.1% annually, topping its revenue gains
At $28.85 per share, Mirion trades at 51.8x forward P/E. Is now the right time to buy? Find out in our full research report, it’s free for active Edge members.
Stocks We Like Even More
When Trump unveiled his aggressive tariff plan in April 2025, markets tanked as investors feared a full-blown trade war. But those who panicked and sold missed the subsequent rebound that’s already erased most losses.
Don’t let fear keep you from great opportunities and take a look at Top 9 Market-Beating Stocks. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 183% over the last five years (as of March 31st 2025).
Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-small-cap company Comfort Systems (+782% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today for free. Find your next big winner with StockStory today. Find your next big winner with StockStory today
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