Investors focused on the Medical space have likely heard of Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX Quick QuoteVRTX - Free Report) , but is the stock performing well in comparison to the rest of its sector peers? Let's take a closer look at the stock's year-to-date performance to find out.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals is one of 898 individual stocks in the Medical sector. Collectively, these companies sit at #1 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 model that highlights a variety of stocks with the right characteristics to outperform the market over the next one to three months. The system emphasizes earnings estimate revisions and favors companies with improving earnings outlooks. VRTX is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for VRTX's full-year earnings has moved 9.11% higher within the past quarter. This is a sign of improving analyst sentiment and a positive earnings outlook trend.

According to our latest data, VRTX has moved about 5.92% on a year-to-date basis. At the same time, Medical stocks have lost an average of 12.42%. As we can see, Vertex Pharmaceuticals is performing better than its sector in the calendar year.

To break things down more, VRTX belongs to the Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry, a group that includes 385 individual companies and currently sits at #40 in the Zacks Industry Rank. On average, this group has lost an average of 6.73% so far this year, meaning that VRTX is performing better in terms of year-to-date returns.

Investors with an interest in Medical stocks should continue to track VRTX. The stock will be looking to continue its solid performance.