Is Palo Alto Networks (PANW) Outperforming Other Computer and Technology Stocks This Year?

PANW

Investors focused on the Computer and Technology space have likely heard of Palo Alto Networks (PANW - Free Report) , but is the stock performing well in comparison to the rest of its sector peers? A quick glance at the company's year-to-date performance in comparison to the rest of the Computer and Technology sector should help us answer this question.

Palo Alto Networks is a member of our Computer and Technology group, which includes 647 different companies and currently sits at #4 in the Zacks Sector Rank. The Zacks Sector Rank considers 16 different groups, measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the sector to gauge the strength of each group.

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. PANW is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for PANW's full-year earnings has moved 17.10% higher. This is a sign of improving analyst sentiment and a positive earnings outlook trend.

Our latest available data shows that PANW has returned about 7.94% since the start of the calendar year. In comparison, Computer and Technology companies have returned an average of 4.93%. As we can see, Palo Alto Networks is performing better than its sector in the calendar year.

Breaking things down more, PANW is a member of the Security industry, which includes 11 individual companies and currently sits at #36 in the Zacks Industry Rank. This group has gained an average of 4.90% so far this year, so PANW is performing better in this area.

PANW will likely be looking to continue its solid performance, so investors interested in Computer and Technology stocks should continue to pay close attention to the company.

Zacks Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

It’s a little-known chemical company that’s up 65% over last year, yet still dirt cheap. With unrelenting demand, soaring 2022 earnings estimates, and $1.5 billion for repurchasing shares, retail investors could jump in at any time.

This company could rival or surpass other recent Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Boston Beer Company which shot up +143.0% in little more than 9 months and NVIDIA which boomed +175.9% in one year.

Free: See Our Top Stock and 4 Runners Up >>