Those looking for strong utilities stocks should look for companies in the group that are outperforming their peers. National Fuel Gas (NFG) is a stock that can certainly attract the attention of many investors, but are its recent returns good compared to the wider sector? To find out, let’s take a closer look at the stock’s year-to-date performance.
National Fuel Gas is one of 105 individual stocks in the Utilities sector. Together, these companies rank #7 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 is a proven system that emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions, highlighting a variety of stocks that exhibit the right characteristics to beat the market over the next one to three months. National Fuel Gas currently has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NFG’s full-year earnings rose 2.8% over the past quarter, suggesting that analyst sentiment is improving and the stock’s earnings outlook is improving.
Based on the latest data, NFG has returned 17.9% so far this year. At the same time, utility stocks have gained 11.6% on average, showing that National Fuel Gas is outperforming its peers so far this year.
Another utilities stock that has outperformed the sector so far this year is NiSource (NI). The stock has returned 21% year to date.
For NiSource, the consensus earnings per share estimate for the current year has increased 0.7% over the past three months. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
To break it down further, National Fuel Gas is a member of the Utilities – Gas Utilities industry, which includes 14 individual companies and currently sits at #54 in the Zacks Industry Rank. On average, this group has gained 9% so far this year, meaning NFG is performing better in terms of annual returns.
NiSource, on the other hand, belongs to the “Utilities – Electricity” industry. This industry is currently ranked 89th with 59 stocks. The industry has developed by +14.9% so far this year.
Investors interested in utilities should continue to keep an eye on National Fuel Gas and NiSource, as these stocks will want to continue their solid performance.
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National Fuel Gas Company (NFG): Free Stock Analysis Report
NiSource, Inc (NI): Free Stock Analysis Report
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