Stocks usually hit their 52-week highs when positive news, such as a solid acquisition or robust earnings report, surrounds them.

Investors, however, may be hesitant to load up on such stocks as they may feel that they are “expensive”.

But remember that if the business is enjoying good earnings momentum, there’s no reason the stock cannot climb higher in the future.

Here are four US growth stocks that recently hit their 52-week highs, and this quartet could perhaps end up on your buy watchlist.

Ecolab (NYSE: ECL)

Ecolab offers water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions and services.

The company uses science-based solutions and data-driven insights to ensure food safety and promote clean and safe environments.

Shares of Ecolab have gained 20.3% in the past year and hit their 52-week high of US$273.69.

The company reported a strong set of earnings for 2024 with sales rising 3% year on year to US$15.7 billion.

Operating profit climbed 41% year on year to US$2.8 billion while net profit surged 54% year on year to US$2.1 billion.

The engineering company also generated a healthy positive free cash flow of US$1.8 billion, 11% higher than a year ago.

In line with the good results, Ecolab upped its quarterly dividend from US$0.57 to US$0.65.

For 2025, Ecolab expects its earnings per share to grow by 12% to 15% year on year.

CEO Christophe Beck is also confident of achieving organic operating income margin expansion, with a plan to hit the 20% operating margin level in the next three years (2024: 17.8%).

Embraer SA (NYSE: ERJ)

Embraer is a global aerospace company headquartered in Brazil.

The company designs, develops, manufactures and markets aircraft and systems and also provides after-sales service and support to its customers.

Embraer saw its shares soar 140% in the past year and hit their 52-week high of US$53.19 recently.

The company released a sparkling set of earnings for 2024.

Revenue rose 21.4% year on year to US$6.4 billion while operating profit soared 112.2% year on year to US$667.5 million.

Net profit came in at US$352.6 million, more than doubling from the previous year’s US$164 million.

A total of 206 aircraft were delivered in 2024, up 14% from the 181 aircraft delivered in 2023.

Free cash flow generation was also solid, coming in at US$405.1 million, up 118% from a year ago.

Embraer provided solid guidance for 2025 and expects revenue to be in the range of between US$7 billion to US$7.5 billion.

Its order backlog stood at US$26.3 billion at the end of 2024, the highest-ever recorded by the business and up more than 40% year on year.

During last year’s Investor Day event, the company outlined key success factors to help it grow to 2030.

Some of these include the expansion of its services network, ramping up production and supply chain, and tapping into LEAN digital.

Fiserv (NYSE: FI)

Fiserv is a global provider of payments and financial services technology solutions.

Shares of Fiserv have climbed 45.6% in the past year and recently hit their 52-week high of US$238.59.

Fiserv delivered a commendable set of earnings for 2024 with revenue rising 7.1% year on year to US$20.5 billion.

Operating profit climbed 17.3% year on year to US$5.9 billion and net profit crept up 2.1% year on year to US$3.1 billion.

Fiserv also generated a healthy free cash flow of US$5.1 billion for 2024, up 34% year on year.

Management provided a bright outlook for 2025, expecting organic revenue growth of 10% to 12%.

The company also expects adjusted earnings per share to increase 15% to 17% year on year.

Nomad Foods (NYSE: NOMD)

Nomad Foods is Europe’s leading frozen food company selling a portfolio of famous brands such as Birds Eye, Findus, Ledo, and Frikom.

The company’s shares have risen 3.4% in the past year and hit their 52-week high of US$20.81 recently.

Revenue inched up 1.8% year on year to €3.1 billion while operating profit increased by 13.7% year on year to €387 million.

Net profit stood at €227.1 million, up nearly 18% year on year.

The frozen food business also generated a healthy free cash flow of €355.1 million, up 1.9% from a year ago.

For 2025, Nomad Foods expects organic revenue growth of between 1% to 3%.

The company believes that adjusted earnings per share can grow by 4% to 6% year on year.

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Disclosure: Royston Yang does not own shares in any of the companies mentioned.