For those looking to find strong Transportation stocks, it is prudent to search for companies in the group that are outperforming their peers. Has Kirby (KEX) been one of those stocks this year? By taking a look at the stock's year-to-date performance in comparison to its Transportation peers, we might be able to answer that question.
Kirby is one of 114 companies in the Transportation group. The Transportation group currently sits at #5 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 is a successful stock-picking model that emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions. The system highlights a number of different stocks that could be poised to outperform the broader market over the next one to three months. Kirby is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).
Over the past 90 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for KEX's full-year earnings has moved 1.8% higher. This is a sign of improving analyst sentiment and a positive earnings outlook trend.
Our latest available data shows that KEX has returned about 21.1% since the start of the calendar year. Meanwhile, stocks in the Transportation group have gained about 6.1% on average. As we can see, Kirby is performing better than its sector in the calendar year.
Another stock in the Transportation sector, Landstar System (LSTR), has outperformed the sector so far this year. The stock's year-to-date return is 18.4%.
For Landstar System, the consensus EPS estimate for the current year has increased 3.5% over the past three months. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Looking more specifically, Kirby belongs to the Transportation - Shipping industry, which includes 29 individual stocks and currently sits at #44 in the Zacks Industry Rank. On average, this group has gained an average of 70.7% so far this year, meaning that KEX is slightly underperforming its industry in terms of year-to-date returns.
Landstar System, however, belongs to the Transportation - Truck industry. Currently, this 12-stock industry is ranked #51. The industry has moved +19% so far this year.
Investors with an interest in Transportation stocks should continue to track Kirby and Landstar System. 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
Kirby Corporation (KEX): Free Stock Analysis Report
Landstar System, Inc. (LSTR): Free Stock Analysis Report
This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).