Investors can choose from thousands of publicly traded corporations. Buying exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that follow indices like the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite will instantly give you access to hundreds or even thousands of assets. But those generic funds may not be stocks to double your money.
Some stocks perform better than others, and investors can make a living discovering which stocks outperform the market. Investing in the long run can lead to sizable returns, but it’s possible for some stocks to double within a few years or even a few months.
Investors can realize more gains by looking at smaller companies. While it’s riskier to buy small-cap stocks than mega-cap stocks due to the variability of returns, the smaller companies can outshine the giants.
Each of the stocks on this list are relatively small. The highest market cap is only $11 billion. But these companies have several positive catalysts that can result in meaningful long-term returns. Investors may want to monitor these growth stocks to double your money.
Comfort Systems USA (FIX)
Comfort Systems USA (NYSE:FIX) offers heating, ventilation and air condition installations for commercial and industrial clients. The stock has comfortably exceeded the S&P 500 with a 58% year-to-date (YTD) return. Shares are also up by 555% over the past five years.
Q1 2024 results indicate that more gains are likely on the way. Comfort Systems USA increased its revenue by 31% year-over-year (YOY). Net income growth was even higher and came in 68% higher than the same quarter last year.
The stock has strong momentum behind its rally and trades at a reasonable 32 price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio. Investors also get a nice dividend. While the yield is only 0.39%, Comfort Systems USA has a solid dividend growth rate. The firm recently increased its quarterly dividend from 25 cents per share to 30 cents per share. That’s a 20% increase, and it’s the second dividend hike over the past year. The company went through a stretch of raising its dividend for four consecutive quarters from November 2022 to November 2023.
Duolingo (DUOL)
Duolingo (NASDAQ:DUOL) is an educational tech company that makes it easier for people to learn new languages. Almost 75 million people use the app each month to go through guided verbal and written lessons. More than 30 million people use the app every day.
The corporation has exhibited impressive financial growth as it continues to attract more users. Revenue increased by 45% YOY in the first quarter of 2024. Net income went from a loss of $2.6 million in Q1 2023 to $27 million in profits in the first quarter. Rising revenue and profits come as more users become paid subscribers. Duolingo currently has 7.4 million paid subscribers which is a 54% YOY increase.
But the company’s share price hasn’t been keeping up with the stock market so far. It’s down by 5% YTD and is only up by 45% since its initial public offering (IPO). The stock’s 195 P/E ratio is holding it back, but rising profits should result in a more reasonable valuation.
Sezzle (SEZL)
Sezzle (NASDAQ:SEZL) has been delivering captivating returns for recent investors. The fintech firm’s stock has nearly quadrupled since January as more people use its buy now, pay later service. The company has a market cap just shy of $500 million and trades at a 38 P/E ratio.
Sezzle reported 35.5% YOY revenue growth in the first quarter. Net income more than quadrupled YOY to reach $8.01 million. Investors got excited about the company’s meaningful guidance. Sezzle now anticipates that it will generate $30 million in GAAP net income in 2024 compared to last quarter’s guidance of $20 million.
Sezzle also expects to deliver diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $5 in 2024. Achieving this benchmark would result in a P/E ratio below 18 at current levels. Sezzle closed out the quarter with 371,000 total subscribers. At this same time last year, the firm only had 142,000 subscribers. If you’re looking for stocks to double your money, SEZL has been a top winner so far, and continued growth can pave the way for additional gains.
On this date of publication, Marc Guberti held long positions in FIX and SEZL. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.com Publishing Guidelines.