Gulfport Energy Corp (NYSE:GPOR) Emerges as a High-Growth Momentum Candidate via Minervini's SEPA Strategy

For investors looking to join strong growth potential with structured technical entry points, the method developed by Mark Minervini offers a notable framework. This process, often called the SEPA (Specific Entry Point Analysis) strategy, methodically finds market leaders by joining strict fundamental growth standards with an exact technical checklist known as the Trend Template. The aim is to locate stocks that are not only showing solid and speeding earnings but are also in the beginning phases of a notable price uptrend, offering a good risk/reward scenario at the time of entry.

A recent scan made to find such chances, which uses both the Minervini Trend Template and a High Growth Momentum (HGM) filter, has pointed to GULFPORT ENERGY CORP (NYSE:GPOR) as a candidate for more review. We will examine how this independent oil and natural gas producer fits with the central ideas of this high-growth, momentum-centered strategy.

Fitting the Minervini Trend Template

The Minervini Trend Template is a required technical base. It confirms a stock is in a verified, continuing uptrend before review, sorting out weak or consolidating patterns. Gulfport Energy's present chart position shows a solid fit with these rules:

• Trend Fit: The stock is trading above all its main simple moving averages (50-day, 150-day, and 200-day), a key need. Importantly, the 50-day SMA ($203.77) is above the 150-day SMA ($188.18), which is then above the rising 200-day SMA ($186.53). This ordered, upward-sloping fit is a standard sign of a sound Stage 2 advance.
• Nearness to Highs: A central Minervini idea is to concentrate on strength, not low price. GPOR's present price is more than 30% above its 52-week low and trades within 25% of its 52-week high of $225.78, meeting the template's standards for momentum and leadership.
• Relative Strength: With a ChartMill Relative Strength (CRS) rating of 78.31, GPOR is doing better than nearly 80% of the total market. This is above the template's lowest limit of 70 and shows the stock has separate strength, a quality common in market leaders.

This technical agreement is important because it clearly signals that institutional money is probably moving into the stock, supporting the current uptrend. It shifts the review away from subjective "bargain hunting" and toward joining existing momentum.

Reviewing High Growth Momentum Fundamentals

While the Trend Template covers the "when" to buy, the "what" to buy is guided by fundamental speed. The High Growth Momentum filter looks for companies showing notable earnings growth. Gulfport Energy's recent financial numbers show several good signs that growth-centered investors search for:

• Solid Earnings Growth: The company's trailing twelve-month (TTM) EPS is $20.75, showing a year-over-year growth of about 37%. More notably, the latest quarterly EPS jumped 44.2% compared to the same quarter last year, showing major near-term speed.
• Positive Earnings Surprises: A key sign of fundamental momentum is regularly exceeding analyst forecasts. GPOR has topped EPS estimates in 3 of the last 4 quarters, with an average beat of 5.26%. This sequence of positive surprises can lead to upward changes and fresh investor attention.
• Strong Cash Generation: Free cash flow is vital for any company, particularly in areas needing much capital like energy. GPOR's TTM free cash flow per share is $15.87, reflecting a notable year-over-year growth of almost 49%. This gives the company options for debt reduction, shareholder returns, or new investment.

These fundamental strengths offer the possible "catalyst" that Minervini's SEPA strategy looks for. Solid, speeding earnings that beat forecasts are exactly the type of events that can draw institutional buying and support a continuing price advance, especially when they happen within the setting of a good technical setup.

Technical Condition and Setup Quality

Beyond the basic Trend Template, a closer look at the technicals gives background for possible entry. According to ChartMill's own analysis, GPOR presently has a Technical Rating of 7, showing a sound uptrend across several timeframes. The long-term and short-term trends are both rated as positive, which matches the wider market setting where the S&P 500 is also in a positive trend.

Maybe more significant for a planned entry, the stock has received a Setup Rating of 7. This suggests the price action has been moving in a fairly narrow range over the past month, forming a possible base for its next move. The technical report states there is very little close resistance above the present price, while a clear support area has been formed around the $199 - $208 zone. This shape allows for a specific risk point, a key part of structured trading.

You can see the full, detailed technical review for GPOR on its specific Technical Analysis Report page.

A Candidate for More Review

Gulfport Energy Corp presents a case where a systematic scanning process has found a meeting point: a stock satisfying the strict technical needs of the Minervini Trend Template while also showing the fundamental signs of high growth momentum. Its place in the steady energy sector, along with solid cash flow generation and speeding quarterly earnings, gives a fundamental story. Technically, its position above all main moving averages, high relative strength, and forming consolidation pattern present a chart setup that growth and momentum investors look for.

Want to find other stocks that presently pass this strict mix of growth and trend filters? You can run the live scan yourself to see an updated list of qualifying securities: View the High Growth Momentum + Trend Template Screen.

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Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security. The analysis is based on data provided and scanning methods described, which have inherent limits. Investors should do their own complete research, think about their personal financial situation and risk tolerance, and talk with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. Please read our full disclaimer here.