Are Utilities Stocks Lagging Atmos Energy (ATO) This Year?

Investors interested in Utilities stocks should always be looking to find the best-performing companies in the group. Has Atmos Energy (ATO) been one of those stocks this year? Let's take a closer look at the stock's year-to-date performance to find out.Atmos Energy is one of 109 individual stocks in the Utilities sector. Collectively, these companies sit at #4 in the Zacks Sector Rank. The Zacks Sector Rank gauges the strength of our 16 individual sector groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups.The Zacks Rank is a proven system that emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions, highlighting a variety of stocks that are displaying the right characteristics to beat the market over the next one to three months. Atmos Energy is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).Over the past 90 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for ATO's full-year earnings has moved 4.4% higher. This means that analyst sentiment is stronger and the stock's earnings outlook is improving.Based on the latest available data, ATO has gained about 26% so far this year. Meanwhile, the Utilities sector has returned an average of 18.1% on a year-to-date basis. This shows that Atmos Energy is outperforming its peers so far this year.Another stock in the Utilities sector, Energias de Portugal (EDPFY), has outperformed the sector so far this year. The stock's year-to-date return is 47.3%.In Energias de Portugal's case, the consensus EPS estimate for the current year increased 9.1% over the past three months. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).To break things down more, Atmos Energy belongs to the Utility - Gas Distribution industry, a group that includes 14 individual companies and currently sits at #93 in the Zacks Industry Rank. On average, stocks in this group have gained 13.6% this year, meaning that ATO is performing better in terms of year-to-date returns. On the other hand, Energias de Portugal belongs to the Utility - Electric Power industry. This 59-stock industry is currently ranked #56. The industry has moved +19.4% year to date.Investors interested in the Utilities sector may want to keep a close eye on Atmos Energy and Energias de Portugal as they attempt to continue their solid performance.Zacks' Research Chief Picks Stock Most Likely to "At Least Double"Our experts have revealed their Top 5 recommendations with money-doubling potential – and Director of Research Sheraz Mian believes one is superior to the others. Of course, all our picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier recommendations like Hims & Hers Health, which shot up +209%.See Our Top Stock to Double (Plus 4 Runners Up) >>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 Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO): Free Stock Analysis Report Energias de Portugal (EDPFY): Free Stock Analysis ReportThis article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks