Investors interested in Oils-Energy stocks should always be looking to find the best-performing companies in the group. Has Marathon Petroleum (MPC) been one of those stocks this year? By taking a look at the stock's year-to-date performance in comparison to its Oils-Energy peers, we might be able to answer that question.
Marathon Petroleum is one of 252 individual stocks in the Oils-Energy sector. Collectively, these companies sit at #9 in the Zacks Sector Rank. The Zacks Sector Rank includes 16 different groups and is listed in order from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors.
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. Marathon Petroleum is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).
Over the past 90 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for MPC's full-year earnings has moved 55.3% higher. This signals that analyst sentiment is improving and the stock's earnings outlook is more positive.
Based on the most recent data, MPC has returned 122.8% so far this year. Meanwhile, stocks in the Oils-Energy group have gained about 29.1% on average. This means that Marathon Petroleum is performing better than its sector in terms of year-to-date returns.
PBF Energy (PBF) is another Oils-Energy stock that has outperformed the sector so far this year. Since the beginning of the year, the stock has returned 157.1%.
For PBF Energy, the consensus EPS estimate for the current year has increased 134.8% over the past three months. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
Breaking things down more, Marathon Petroleum is a member of the Oil and Gas - Refining and Marketing industry, which includes 16 individual companies and currently sits at #20 in the Zacks Industry Rank. This group has gained an average of 109.8% so far this year, so MPC is performing better in this area. PBF Energy is also part of the same industry.
Investors with an interest in Oils-Energy stocks should continue to track Marathon Petroleum and PBF Energy. These stocks will be looking to continue their solid performance.
7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days
Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."
Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention.
See them now >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC): Free Stock Analysis Report
PBF Energy Inc. (PBF): Free Stock Analysis Report
This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).