Now Is the Time to Buy Momentum Stocks: March's Strong Buy Picks

The market’s recent movements have reinforced an important reality for investors considering whether now is a good time to buy stocks. Despite near-term fluctuations and periodic concerns about various market dynamics, the underlying fundamentals suggest 2026 remains a compelling year for equity investment. With earnings expected to accelerate across most sectors—not just technology and AI-driven companies—smart investors are beginning to rotate capital strategically. The question isn’t whether to buy stocks, but rather which ones to buy. This is precisely where data-driven stock selection becomes invaluable.

How to Identify Top-Performing Momentum Stocks Worth Buying in Today’s Market

When faced with the decision to buy stocks right now, most investors lack a systematic approach. That’s where disciplined screening methods come into play. The Zacks Research platform offers a powerful filtering system that helps separate the wheat from the chaff among over 200 high-conviction recommendations at any given time.

The screening methodology operates on several straightforward yet effective criteria. First, the system identifies stocks carrying Zacks’ highest conviction rating (Rank #1 designation). From this universe, it narrows to those displaying upward price momentum—specifically, names trading within 20% of their 52-week highs. This immediately signals market strength and institutional interest.

To ensure valuations remain reasonable, the screen employs two critical metrics. The PEG ratio (Price/Earnings relative to Growth) must remain at or below 1.0, indicating that growth justifies current pricing. Similarly, the Price-to-Sales ratio cannot exceed 3, preventing investors from overpaying for current revenue streams. Finally, the system ranks remaining candidates by their 12-week price momentum, delivering a curated list of just seven stocks.

This week’s screening process identified several compelling opportunities. One standout name that recently qualified—and exemplifies why now is a good time for selective buying—is Centerra Gold.

Centerra Gold (CGAU): Why This $20 Equity Deserves Serious Portfolio Consideration

Centerra Gold represents a particularly interesting case study for investors asking whether stocks are worth buying in the current environment. Trading under $20 per share, this Canadian mid-tier precious metals producer has captured substantial investor attention through both explosive growth and operational execution.

The company’s trajectory speaks volumes. Over the past 12 months, Centerra Gold has delivered a 215% return, breaking decisively above multi-year trading ranges. Despite a 35% year-to-date advance that has generated fresh record prices, analyst consensus suggests another 15% upside potential remains on the table. The stock’s sub-$20 price tag also appeals to investors seeking exposure to quality companies at seemingly accessible entry points.

Operationally, Centerra Gold runs a diversified portfolio of producing assets and development-stage projects. The Mount Milligan facility in British Columbia yields both gold and copper. The Öksüt mine in Türkiye provides additional precious metals production. Looking ahead, the Goldfield project in Nevada and the Kemess initiative in Canada represent the company’s pipeline for value-accretive growth.

The financial progression underscores why this name earned its highest stock rating. Centerra Gold grew revenues by 14% in 2025, extending a pattern of consistent expansion—11% growth in 2024 and 29% in 2023. More impressively, adjusted earnings expanded 54% last year, building on a massive 1,700% earnings jump from 2023 to 2024 (moving from $0.04 to $0.72 per share). When the company reported fourth-quarter results in mid-February, it delivered both a significant beat and raised forward guidance. The impact was pronounced: first-quarter 2026 earnings estimates have doubled in recent weeks, while full-year 2026 expectations have climbed 25%.

CEO Paul Tomory articulated the company’s confidence during recent prepared remarks: “We are executing our self-funded growth strategy across multiple fronts. We have a clear line of sight to value-accretive, lower-risk growth that can be funded from available liquidity and future cash flows from operations.”

The Macroeconomic Environment Supporting Precious Metals—And Why Timing Matters for Buying

Understanding why Centerra Gold has emerged as a compelling investment requires examining the broader environment supporting gold and copper prices. Gold appears positioned for a structural bull market extending well into 2026 and beyond. Multiple drivers support this outlook: accelerating central bank demand globally, retail investor inflows seeking portfolio diversification, expectations for dollar weakness amid potential rate reductions, persistent geopolitical tensions, and underlying inflationary pressures.

Copper faces its own powerful secular tailwinds. AI data centers require substantial copper infrastructure. The global electrification trend—from renewable energy systems to EV charging networks—demands exponential copper volumes. From semiconductor manufacturing to power transmission, copper consumption continues climbing.

Centerra Gold positions itself beneficially within both narratives. The company has also implemented shareholder-friendly capital allocation, including stock buybacks and a dividend supported by fortress-like balance sheet strength. Remarkably, despite crushing sector performance over the past five years, CGAU still trades at a 33% discount to peer valuations and 20% below its own recent highs—a 11.4X forward earnings multiple suggesting reasonable valuation despite recent momentum.

Why Right Now Represents an Opportune Moment for Disciplined Stock Selection

The case for why now is a good time to buy stocks extends beyond any single company. When earnings are accelerating across 15 of 16 economic sectors, when quality names trade at valuations offering margin of safety, and when systematic screens identify genuinely compelling opportunities, the environment favors active investors willing to do their homework.

The current market backdrop eliminates the need for speculation in distressed names or unproven concepts. Quality-rated equities with strong upward earnings momentum provide both near-term catalysts and long-term growth potential. For investors seeking to understand how to navigate stock selection in 2026, beginning with proven screens and fundamental analysis represents the appropriate starting point—particularly for names like Centerra Gold that tick multiple boxes across valuation, growth, and market positioning.