In the investment world, many try to outsmart the market by hunting for “cheap” or beaten-down stocks. The hard reality is that what is cheap often stays cheap for a very long time.

These stocks are not selected on gut feeling, but through a standardised Z-score that isolates purely the strongest risers with the most stable momentum.

Momentum forces you to follow the market as it is, not as you think it should be. That makes it not only rational, but simply the most efficient trading strategy.

Imagine opening a tool each morning that hands you a shortlist of stocks already moving strongly upward, so you do not have to spend hours scanning the market yourself. That is exactly what this tool gives you: the strongest momentum stocks of the moment, ranked and ready. Instead of guessing which stocks are “hot” right now, you save time and get a data-driven head start. All you need to do is pick a stock and read the corresponding option examples.

• You get a ready-made shortlist of moving stocks every day
• You save time — no need to scan the market yourself
• You get help — three examples of option trades for each stock

Next to each stock you will find a momentum score and a MACD signal — two numbers that instantly tell you how strong and how fresh the upward move really is. The momentum score ranks how strongly a stock is trending compared to others, so the higher the number, the more it stands out. The MACD (Moving Average Convergence Divergence) is a technical indicator, and when you see it marked “rising”, it tells you the momentum may still have room to run.

• Stocks with momentum are identified
• A “rising” MACD tells you the move may continue
• You pick the stocks you prefer

This widget gives you a short, plain-language summary of what the company does. Below that, you get a six-month price chart. The chart also plots analyst price targets — low, mean and high — giving you an instant comparison between today’s price and where experts think it could go. There is no need to jump between websites.

• Instant plain-language company summary
• You see the 6-month price trend
• Today’s price is compared with analyst price targets

You do not have to rely on your own judgement alone — professional analysts who follow each stock closely publish ratings, from “Strong Buy” to “Strong Sell”, and this tool shows you exactly how many fall into each category. You also get their price targets: the low, mean and high estimates for where the stock could trade in the future. The “upside” figure gives you, in a single number, how far today’s price sits from the average analyst target — an easy way to judge whether professionals still see room for growth. This is not a guarantee of future performance, but it is a valuable second opinion you get for free, right alongside the stock’s momentum.

• See how analysts rate the stock
• See where analysts set the price target
• You get a free, independent second opinion

Before you pick your option strategy, read this compact overview. A call option gives you the right, but not the obligation, to buy a stock at a fixed price (the “strike”) before a set date — you buy a call when you expect the price to rise, since it lets you benefit from the upside without having to buy the shares outright. A put option gives someone the right to sell a stock to you at a fixed price — when you sell a put, you agree to buy the stock at that price if it falls there, and you are paid a premium upfront for taking on that obligation. A bull call spread combines two calls at once: you buy one call to benefit from a rise, and you sell another call at a higher strike to reduce your cost, which lowers both your risk and your potential reward compared with a plain call.

• Call option: your right to buy at a fixed price
• Write put option: you agree to buy at a fixed price if it falls, and get paid for taking on this obligation
• Bull call spread: combines two calls to lower your cost and risk

For every momentum stock you get three example option trades, each suited to a different market view, so you can pick the approach that matches your own expectations. They are examples, and you should reflect on the combination of parameters (strike, maturity and so on) that is optimal for your personal financial situation and risk preferences. Every example already has the numbers calculated for the current price and expiry date, so you can compare them side by side and choose the one that fits you best.

The Buy Call is the simplest for you: you pay a premium for the right to profit if the stock rises sharply, with unlimited upside potential. The Sell Put works differently — you receive a premium upfront in exchange for agreeing to buy the stock at a lower price if it falls, which suits you if you would be happy to own the stock anyway. The Bull Call Spread gives you a lower-cost, lower-risk way to profit from a moderate rise, since part of what you pay is offset by a premium you receive.

• Buy Call: profit from a big move up, unlimited upside for you
• Sell Put: you earn premium now, or buy the stock cheaper later
• Bull Call Spread: a lower-cost way for you to play a moderate rise

One of the most reassuring parts of this tool is that it calculates your maximum profit, your maximum loss and your breakeven price for every strategy, before you ever place an order. This means you always know in advance exactly how much you stand to gain, exactly how much you could lose, and exactly what price the stock needs to reach for you to come out even. As a beginner, this transparency removes much of the guesswork and anxiety that comes with options trading. Knowing your numbers upfront helps you build disciplined, confident investing habits from day one.

• Know your max profit and max loss before you trade
• Know the breakeven price — the level at which you start to win
• Understandable texts explain each scenario

If you do not yet have an account, opening one is quick and easy. You can go from browsing this page to placing your first trade in just a few steps. Through FreeStoxx or a WH SelfInvest multi-market account, you get direct access to place the very trades shown in this tool, without switching platforms or re-entering the strategies elsewhere. Typing errors in options are quickly made. You will find the process straightforward, and support is there for you if you have questions along the way. There is no need to feel intimidated — thousands of everyday investors started exactly where you are now.

• You can open an account quickly and easily
• You trade directly from the research — no switching platforms, no errors re-typing options
• The commissions are very low — with FreeStoxx you pay $4.99 per month and can place an unlimited number of orders at $0.00 commission

Once you have found a stock and strategy that match your outlook, placing an order is as simple as clicking the button right next to it — no need to search for the stock or option separately on another screen. Every example trade already has its strike price, expiry date and premium calculated for you, so the order button carries that information straight into your order ticket, ready for your final review. Just double-check the quantity and price before confirming. From there your order is submitted, and you have turned your idea into action in just a few clicks.

• You click the order button directly next to the trade you like
• Your strike, expiry and premium are already filled in
• You review, confirm, and your idea becomes a real position in seconds