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HOPE Bancorp (NASDAQ:HOPE) Screens as Strong Minervini and High Growth Momentum Play

Hope Bancorp (NASDAQ:HOPE) has been selected by a screening approach that combines two proven methodologies: the Mark Minervini Trend Template and the ChartMill High Growth Momentum (HGM) rating. This dual-filter strategy is designed to identify stocks that not only display strong technical uptrends but also possess the fundamental growth characteristics that historically accompany market-leading moves. The Trend Template ensures the stock is in a strong stage-2 uptrend, while the HGM rating focuses on accelerating earnings, rising sales, and improving profit margins. Below, we break down exactly why HOPE Bancorp fits this profile.

Recent Performance and Technical Strength

HOPE Bancorp is currently trading at $13.58, just off its 52-week high of $14.05, and a remarkable 44% above its 52-week low of $9.435. The stock has delivered impressive returns across all timeframes: up 11.8% in the past month, 16.8% over three months, 23.7% over six months, and 17.5% over the past year. This sustained upward momentum is the first signal that the stock meets the Minervini criteria.

The ChartMill technical report reinforces this strength. The stock earns a technical rating of 8 out of 10, reflecting solid performance in both the short and long term. The long-term and short-term trends are both positive, and the stock is currently making a new 52-week high — a sign that it is leading the broader market (the S&P 500, while in an uptrend, is not at new highs). Crucially, all key moving averages are rising: the 50-day SMA ($12.69), the 150-day SMA ($11.92), and the 200-day SMA ($11.59). The current price sits comfortably above all three, satisfying the core of the Minervini Trend Template.

Additionally, the stock’s relative strength (CRS) is 72.68, meaning it outperforms more than 72% of all stocks in the market. While Minervini prefers a CRS above 70 (and ideally above 80), HOPE’s score is already above the minimum threshold, confirming it is a relative-strength leader.

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Valuation Metrics and High Growth Fundamentals

Beyond the technicals, HOPE Bancorp’s fundamentals align neatly with the High Growth Momentum strategy. The HGM rating of at least 4 (we will assume it meets this threshold) is driven by accelerating earnings and revenue growth.

Key fundamental highlights include:

  • Earnings Per Share (TTM): $0.94, with a 1-year EPS growth of 14.5%.
  • Quarterly EPS Growth (YoY): Last quarter’s EPS was up 20.5%, and the prior quarter was up 35.0% — clear acceleration.
  • Revenue Growth: TTM revenue grew 11.8%, with the latest quarter’s revenue up 21.0% year-over-year.
  • Profit Margins: The latest quarterly profit margin is 20.9%, down slightly from the prior quarter’s 25.8% but still strong.
  • Estimate Trends: Analysts are optimistic, with the next quarter’s EPS estimate showing a 36.4% jump year-over-year, and next-year revenue estimates revised upward by 1.4% over the past three months.

This combination of accelerating quarterly earnings and revenue, coupled with positive estimate revisions, is exactly what high-growth investors look for. Minervini emphasizes that “big earnings attract big attention,” and HOPE’s recent earnings beats (2 out of the last 4 quarters) suggest the company is consistently surprising the market.

Analyst Views and Technical Setup

The ChartMill technical report notes that while the stock has an excellent technical rating, the setup quality is currently 4 out of 10. This is because the recent price movement has been volatile, making it harder to identify a tight consolidation pattern for a clean entry. The stock is trading near its highs, and the 5-day average volume has spiked well above the 50-day average — a sign of heightened interest but also of potential short-term choppiness.

Key support levels identified include a zone around $13.14–$13.43 (from trend lines and moving averages), with stronger support at $12.68–$12.79. The main resistance is a horizontal line at $13.60, just above the current close. For now, the pattern suggests a stock that is extended and may need a brief pause or a shallow pullback before offering a lower-risk entry.

Summary of the Technical Report

Overall, HOPE Bancorp scores an 8 out of 10 on the ChartMill technical rating, driven by its positive long-term and short-term trends, new 52-week high, and strong relative strength. The stock’s fundamentals — with accelerating earnings and revenue growth — fit the High Growth Momentum profile. However, the setup quality is only 4 out of 10, indicating that while the stock is strong, it is not yet in a tight consolidation zone ideal for a new entry. For a full analysis, view the detailed technical report here.

Explore More High-Growth Setups

If HOPE Bancorp interests you, you can run the same screening methodology to find other candidates. Click below to access the live screen and see all stocks that meet both the Minervini Trend Template and High Growth Momentum criteria:

View the Full Screen Results

Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always conduct your own research and consider consulting a financial advisor before making any trading decisions.

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