Uncertainty has been shrouding the stock market for quite some time now. Efforts guessing the next turn of events in this capricious market have been futile.

This uncertainty is clearly reflected in the price movement of all the major indices. On one hand, the Nasdaq Composite Index, S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average have scaled over 7%, 6.5% and 6%, respectively, over the past month. On the other, the indices are down 5.3%, 1.2% and 1.1%, respectively, year-to-date.

A Crazy Ride

As the saying goes, “The only certainty is that nothing is certain!” The stock market is presently on a roller coaster ride hit by a multitude of factors.

This year started on a dismal note, with recession fears looming large, owing the prolonged slump in oil prices, no turnaround in China’s economic scenario and muted global growth overall.

However, oil prices have been witnessing a steady recovery from the late January lows and have rallied nearly 45% to around the $40 per barrel mark. However, the prospects of the oil market are bleak as the massive supply glut hint at a potential loss of stability.

Meanwhile, the U.S. stock market has completed its seventh year of “Bull Run,” notwithstanding the unrelenting global issues. As the bull market enters its eighth year, gains are expected to be muted, owing to increased volatility.  

Further, investors are waiting with bated breath for Fed’s decision on interest rate hike at its meeting on the 15th and 16th of March.

Thus, at this point, analysts and market watchers stay divided over where the market is headed. However, the intermediate position seems to be most plausible and markets may witness higher volatility in the days ahead.

What Should Investors Do?

These economic uncertainties are enough to shock investors. However, instead of losing sleep and making desperate attempts to gauge the direction of market movement, one would do well by working out strategies that might help minimize losses and also book profits.

Picking the potential outperformers amid such a wide plethora of stocks is by no means an easy task. But we have eased the process somewhat.

Investing the Zacks Way

The investment space has as many styles as investors have preferences. However, not every trade fits perfectly into one style and if investors closely align one style with another, finding a stock with the best scores in all the categories can better your chances and rate of return.

It is here that we ask you to have a look at our new VGM Style Score where ‘V’ stands for Value, ‘G’ for Growth and ‘M’ for Momentum. Notably, the VGM Score rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, helping to identify those with the most attractive value, growth and momentum, across the board.

Back-tested results show that stocks with a VGM Score of A or B and a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy) or #2 (Buy), garner better returns, on an average, than individual components, as it considers three times as many items that are correlated to stocks returns.

Thus, the VGM Style Score can be a valuable tool for investors allowing them to get a clearer insight into a stock’s strengths and weaknesses.

5 Great Picks

The combination of all three styles that go into the VGM Score make it one of the most comprehensive and best performing indicators to use with the Zacks Rank.

With the help of the Zacks Stock Screener, we have zeroed-in on five stocks with solid prospects, sporting a Zacks Rank #1 along with a VGM score of ‘A.’

Here are the five stocks that have the potential to provide the much needed boost to your portfolio returns amid such chaotic market conditions:

Based in Waltham, MA, AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (AMAG - Analyst Report) is a specialty pharmaceutical company which focuses on the development and commercialization of drugs related to maternal health, anemia and cancer supportive care. AMAG’s acquisitions of Makena and Cord Blood Registry have proven to be a huge positive for the company. Further, the company’s consistent efforts to expand its maternal health portfolio are encouraging.

Also, upward estimate revisions reinstate hope on the stock’s prospects. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2016 has climbed to $4.41 per share, while with a 42.3% increase, 2017 earnings estimate stands at $6.80 per share. Moreover, for 2016, EPS is likely to improve an astounding 374.2%.

Gibraltar Industries, Inc. (ROCK - Analyst Report) manufactures and distributes products in the industrial and buildings market. Notably, the acquired RBI business has been thriving, backed by increasing demand for solar racking products, adding to the company’s aggregate top- and bottom line results. At the same time, restructuring programs and capital-deployment plans for enhancing shareholders’ value are expected to aid the company's growth trajectory in the near term.

Moreover, analysts have become increasingly bullish on the company over the past month, leading to a spike of 11.8% and 18.6% in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2016 and 2017 earnings, which now stands at $1.33 and $1.53, respectively. Additionally, for 2016, EPS is likely to improve 21.7%, further underlining its potential.

Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. (CTB - Analyst Report), headquartered in Findlay, OH, manufactures and markets tires and related products. The company is benefiting from its high-performance products, share repurchases and improving business operations. Moreover, Cooper Tire aims to attain operating margin of over 10% and net sales of $5–$6 billion per annum in the long term.

Upward estimate revisions for 2016 and 2017 earnings add to the optimism over the stock. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2016 and 2017 EPS have scaled nearly 13% and 14.2% to $3.92 and $3.71, respectively, over the last 30 days. Moreover, full-year 2016 EPS growth projection of 6.2% paints a rosy picture.

Thor Industries Inc. (THO - Snapshot Report), through its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and sells a range of recreational vehicles, and related parts and accessories primarily in the U.S. and Canada. Thor Industries got off to a strong start in the first half of fiscal 2016 and expects modest RV revenue growth in the second half. Further, the company expects to expand its business in the coming years through acquisitions, new capacity, product innovation and continued dividend payments.

Moreover, analysts are quite bullish on the stock, leading to a 1.6% and 5.9% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2016 and 2017 earnings, over the past 30 days, which now stand at $4.76 and $5.05, respectively. What’s more, for full-year 2015, EPS is likely to grow a healthy 25.7%.

Triple-S Management Corporation (GTS - Snapshot Report) is the largest managed care company in Puerto Rico, serving approximately one million members across all regions. The company continues to progress with the strategic transformation initiatives, launched last year, aimed at creating organizational agility and functional excellence. Having consolidated its leadership within its Managed Care segment, the company expects to generate additional synergies in 2016.

Moreover, the company has been seeing its earnings estimate revisions trending upward. Notably, over the past 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2016 and 2017 earnings have increased 9.4% and 4.8% to $1.51 and $1.73, respectively. Further, for full-year 2015, EPS is expected to grow 2%.

Best Buys

So far in 2016, the market has been rife with fluctuations and what’s coming up next? Well, your guess is as good as mine.

It is true that the current market presents considerable investment challenges, but it also bears opportunities for smart investors who can manage to stay afloat despite such capricious conditions.

Amid all the qualms, these prominent stocks should potentially spell magical returns for your portfolio and simultaneously help tide over the precariousness on the back of strong momentum, imbibed value and solid growth projections.