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Investors interested in Finance stocks should always be looking to find the best-performing companies in the group. ACNB (ACNB) is a stock that can certainly grab the attention of many investors, but do its recent returns compare favorably to the sector as a whole? A quick glance at the company's year-to-date performance in comparison to the rest of the Finance sector should help us answer this question.
ACNB is one of 867 individual stocks in the Finance sector. Collectively, these companies sit at #2 in the Zacks Sector Rank. The Zacks Sector Rank considers 16 different sector groups. The average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups is measured, and the sectors are listed from best to worst.
The Zacks Rank emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find stocks with improving earnings outlooks. This system has a long record of success, and these stocks tend to be on track to beat the market over the next one to three months. ACNB is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy).
Over the past 90 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for ACNB's full-year earnings has moved 33.1% higher. This means that analyst sentiment is stronger and the stock's earnings outlook is improving.
Based on the most recent data, ACNB has returned 3.1% so far this year. Meanwhile, stocks in the Finance group have gained about 1.8% on average. This shows that ACNB is outperforming its peers so far this year.
One other Finance stock that has outperformed the sector so far this year is Enact Holdings, Inc. (ACT). The stock is up 6.2% year-to-date.
In Enact Holdings, Inc.'s case, the consensus EPS estimate for the current year increased 2.3% over the past three months. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
To break things down more, ACNB belongs to the Banks - Southwest industry, a group that includes 19 individual companies and currently sits at #16 in the Zacks Industry Rank. Stocks in this group have lost about 4.9% so far this year, so ACNB is performing better this group in terms of year-to-date returns.
On the other hand, Enact Holdings, Inc. belongs to the Insurance - Multi line industry. This 41-stock industry is currently ranked #54. The industry has moved +5% year to date.
ACNB and Enact Holdings, Inc. could continue their solid performance, so investors interested in Finance stocks should continue to pay close attention to these stocks.
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