Soluna (SLNH) had the highest return between 1996 and 1997 by a US stock when the return was < 500%, returning 481.8%.

ASSET	YEARS	% RETURN
Soluna (SLNH)	1996-1997	481.82%
Franklin Wireless (FKWL)	1996-1997	477.27%
American Eagle Outfitters (AEO)	1996-1997	469.17%
Patterson-UTI Energy (PTEN)	1996-1997	452.71%
Cooper Companies (COO)	1996-1997	445.03%
RCM Technologies (RCMT)	1996-1997	444.02%
CVD Equipment (CVV)	1996-1997	427.2%
Soligenix (SNGX)	1996-1997	423.81%
Virco Manufacturing (VIRC)	1996-1997	412.69%
Terex (TEX)	1996-1997	408.11%
American Woodmark (AMWD)	1996-1997	407.86%
Stabilis Solutions (SLNG)	1996-1997	400%
Strategic Education (STRA)	1996-1997	369.9%
Viavi Solutions (VIAV)	1996-1997	362.94%
Insight Enterprises (NSIT)	1996-1997	359.39%
Heico (HEI)	1996-1997	354.5%
Federal Agricultural Mortgage (AGM.A)	1996-1997	345.31%
Buckle (BKE)	1996-1997	338.37%
SPX (SPXC)	1996-1997	336.83%
Gencor Industries (GENC)	1996-1997	335.64%
Ross Stores (ROST)	1996-1997	335.36%
Nice Ltd ADR (NICE)	1996-1997	320%
Kforce (KFRC)	1996-1997	315.95%
Mexco Energy (MXC)	1996-1997	312.5%
Telefonica SA ADR (TEF)	1996-1997	309.5%