For those looking to find strong Computer and Technology stocks, it is prudent to search for companies in the group that are outperforming their peers. Has Aehr Test Systems (AEHR) been one of those stocks this year? A quick glance at the company's year-to-date performance in comparison to the rest of the Computer and Technology sector should help us answer this question.
Aehr Test Systems is one of 613 companies in the Computer and Technology group. The Computer and Technology group currently sits at #3 within 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. Aehr Test Systems is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).
Within the past quarter, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for AEHR's full-year earnings has moved 1350% higher. This signals that analyst sentiment is improving and the stock's earnings outlook is more positive.
Our latest available data shows that AEHR has returned about 327.2% since the start of the calendar year. At the same time, Computer and Technology stocks have gained an average of 17.9%. This means that Aehr Test Systems is performing better than its sector in terms of year-to-date returns.
Another stock in the Computer and Technology sector, Fortinet (FTNT), has outperformed the sector so far this year. The stock's year-to-date return is 96.8%.
For Fortinet, the consensus EPS estimate for the current year has increased 9.6% over the past three months. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
Breaking things down more, Aehr Test Systems is a member of the Electronics - Measuring Instruments industry, which includes 5 individual companies and currently sits at #30 in the Zacks Industry Rank. This group has gained an average of 60.4% so far this year, so AEHR is performing better in this area.
In contrast, Fortinet falls under the Security industry. Currently, this industry has 9 stocks and is ranked #76. Since the beginning of the year, the industry has moved +71.8%.
Going forward, investors interested in Computer and Technology stocks should continue to pay close attention to Aehr Test Systems and Fortinet as they could maintain their solid performance.
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Aehr Test Systems (AEHR): Free Stock Analysis Report
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This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).