The brutal truth about successful investment is a simple one - the risks are not going anywhere, it is the cards one plays to dodge them skillfully. The chaotic performance of the equity markets this year reinforces a time-tested philosophy that risks are merely rotational -the old ones may fade only to make place for the new ones.

With threats like the slowdown of the Chinese economy and low oil price ebbing a little, the political crises around the world are likely to take center stage. Rising terrorist activities in Europe, Britain planning an exit from the European Union and the anti-trade stance doing the rounds in the U.S. presidential scenario are likely to emerge as the next major risks.

Meanwhile, the domestic scenario isn’t quite reassuring either. The market is rife with apprehensions over the slowdown in recovery (with the IMF slashing growth rate to 2.2% from 2.4%), lackluster consumer spending (which remained relatively flat in February) and the Fed’s inability to attain the annual inflation target of 2%.

Meanwhile, speculation surrounding the fate of the bull market is wearing investors out. Labeled as the “least loved and least trusted” bull market ever, the stock market has returned about 190% to investors since 2009. But it has been grappling with severe uncertainties of late, plagued by unfavorable economic indicators like interest rate hikes, trillion dollar worth of global government debt and panic-stricken central bank actions. 

Making Sense of the Chaos

The cacophony of recent global factors - Japan’s deployment of negative interest rates, Fed’s relatively conservative stance on interest rate hikes (like its decision to scale interest rates by 0.25%–0.50%, as well as restricting future rate hikes this year to two instead of four) and European Central Bank’s expansion of the bond-buying stimulus program - signals to assured volatility going forward.

In spite of the widespread chaos, developments like modest improvement in materials, energy and financial markets, decent job gains and impressive performance of the housing market restore hope. Also, encouraging retail sales and job projections are renewing faith in the newfound strength of the U.S. economy.

All Hope is Not Lost

However, volatility definitely does not mean you have to sit on the sidelines and miss out on the fun! The fact is that someone somewhere always finds a way to dodge it and compound money even when the market going nowhere. The real art is to find soaring stocks even in times of distress, to help salvage some of the losses when the market turns whimsical.

A tried and tested strategy would be investing in momentum stocks that are currently riding a bull run.

Here at Zacks, we will help you find stocks that are likely to reap significant returns for your portfolio. Using our Zacks style score system, we have singled out stocks that have gained 50% in the past four weeks and have trumped the vagaries of the market to emerge as short-term winners.

We have further refined our search by adding the Zacks Momentum Style Score which indicates the favorable time to enter a stock to take advantage of its price momentum. Our research shows that stocks with a Momentum Style Score of ‘A’ or ‘B’ when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) offer the best upside potential in the short term.

Combining the exceptional share price appreciation with a top Momentum score and a Zacks Rank #1 or #2, we have zeroed-in on these five champions.

5 Stocks to Buy

Companhia Siderurgica Nacional (SID - Analyst Report) or CSN: The company manufactures hot and cold-rolled flat steel, galvanized sheets and tin plates for the packaging, automotive and construction industries. Also, the Zacks Rank #2 company is engaged in the mining of iron ore, limestone and dolomite in the state of Minas Gerais.

Stock Price Return: 116.2%
Momentum Score: B

Mid-Con Energy Partners, LP (MCEP - Snapshot Report): The company is engaged in exploring, developing and producing of oil and natural gas in North America. As of Dec 31, 2015, Mid-Con’s estimated proved reserves were approximately 22.3 million barrel of oil equivalent. This Zacks Rank #2 company owns more than 90% working interest in 512 net producing wells.

Stock Price Return: 100.9%
Momentum Score: A

New York & Company Inc. (NWY - Snapshot Report): The company and its subsidiaries operate as a specialty retailer of women’s fashion apparel and accessories in the U.S. As of Mar 17, 2016, the company had 490 stores across 41 states. The Zacks Rank #2 company also sells its products online apart from the chains of retail outlets.

Stock Price Return: 68.1%
Momentum Score: A

Alamos Gold, Inc. (AGI - Snapshot Report): This company explores mines and is engaged in the development and production of gold deposits in the U.S. and Canada. It also explores silver and precious metals. Notably, Young-Davidson mine is one of the fundamental assets of this Zacks Rank # 2 company which includes mineral leases and claims over 11,000 acres of land.

Stock Price Return: 67.2%
Momentum Score: B

J. C. Penney Company, Inc. (JCP - Analyst Report): The company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary J. C. Penney Corporation, Inc., offers merchandise and services to customers through its department stores, catalogs and website. The company operates stores at both mall and off-mall locations. The Zacks Rank #1 company sells family apparel, footwear, accessories, fine and fashion jewelry, and home furnishing items.

Stock Price Return: 58.9%
Momentum Score: B