ASX on fire: 4 momentum stocks to buy right now

These stocks have a strong upside ahead.

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Key points

  • Droneshield has seen a 301.04% increase year over year, with analysts anticipating a 37.66% upside due to ongoing growth opportunities in defence budgets and recent profit-taking by investors.
  • Zip and IperionX are both poised for growth, with Zip expanding partnerships and receiving a 28.6% upside rating from Macquarie, while IperionX is benefiting from US government funding, projected to achieve an 85.78% upside.
  • Life360's shares have risen 225.1% from their yearly low, driven by its expanding user base and new services, with Morgan Stanley forecasting a 20.6% upside as the company continues its innovation streak.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has dropped 3.22% since it peaked at an all-time high on 21 October. But over the year, the index is on fire, up 7.4% at the time of writing, and experts think there is a possibility that it could end the year at an unprecedented level.

A lot of the index growth over the past 12 months has been driven by strong momentum stocks. Here are 4 ASX stocks I have my eye on, which have all rocketed over 200% from their one-year low. I think investors should get in quick ahead of the next price surge. 

Droneshield Ltd (ASX: DRO)

Investors have sold off their shares in the AI-powered drone technology company over the past month, with its share price dropping 40% in the past 4 weeks alone. 

But Droneshield shares have been a huge success story over the past year. And that means that even after a 40% share price drop, the shares are still sitting 301.04% higher than this time last year and an enormous 563.8% higher than their 52-week low of 58 cents per share.

The best part is that many analysts and market experts think there is far more room for the stock to run as defence budgets roll over to the new financial year. Rather than a dip in confidence, it looks like the share price tumble was the result of investors selling up and taking profits from the huge annual gains.

Bell Potter wrote to investors yesterday saying that the broker has retained its buy rating and $5.30 price target on the ASX stock's shares.

At the time of writing, this represents a potential 37.66% upside for investors from the current trading price of $3.85 per share.

Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP)

Zip shares are another huge momentum stock with upside potential. The shares are 20.06% higher than this time last year and a whopping 249.1% higher than their 52-week low of $1.08 per share.

The company is a strong contender for growth. In late October, the Australian financial technology company announced that its US segment is expanding its partnership with programmable financial services business Stripe. 

Macquarie initiated coverage on Zip shares last week, assigning a buy rating and a $4.85 target price. That represents a potential 28.6% upside for investors from the current share price of $3.77. 

Iperionx Ltd (ASX: IPX)

Iperionx is a surging ASX stock that has tapped into Australia's defence budget and is reaping the reward. At the time of writing, the shares are 83.79% higher than they were this time last year and 190.3% higher than their 52-week low of $2.07 per share.

The ASX mining stock has also secured US$42.5 million of funding from the US government this year to expand its titanium production capabilities in Virginia.

Again, analysts are optimistic about a strong upside ahead. TradingView data shows that all five analysts have a strong buy rating on the shares, with a maximum upside of $11.17 over the next 12 months. Using the $6.01 share price at the time of writing, that represents a huge potential 85.78% upside ahead.

Life360 Inc (ASX: 360)

This US-based software development company has taken the tech industry by storm this year. At the time of writing, the ASX stock's shares are 113.9% higher than this time last year and are 225.1% higher than the 52-week low of $14.93 per share.

Life360's location-sharing app is used by 88 million monthly active users globally. It recently released new pet-related software, and now the business plans to turn its attention to an elderly-focused solution.

Analysts are confident the growth trajectory will continue, too. Morgan Stanley is bullish on the ASX stock and has an overweight rating and a $58.50 price target on its shares. Using the $48.52 share price at the time of writing, that represents a potential 20.6% upside ahead.

Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended DroneShield, Life360, and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Life360 and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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