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Has FuelCell Energy (FCEL) Outpaced Other Oils-Energy Stocks This Year?

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Investors interested in Oils-Energy stocks should always be looking to find the best-performing companies in the group. FuelCell Energy (FCEL - Free Report) is a stock that can certainly grab the attention of many investors, but do its recent returns compare favorably to the sector as a whole? A quick glance at the company's year-to-date performance in comparison to the rest of the Oils-Energy sector should help us answer this question.

FuelCell Energy is one of 252 companies in the Oils-Energy group. The Oils-Energy group currently sits at #11 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 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. FuelCell Energy is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

Over the past 90 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for FCEL's full-year earnings has moved 22.1% higher. This means that analyst sentiment is stronger and the stock's earnings outlook is improving.

Based on the most recent data, FCEL has returned 196.9% so far this year. In comparison, Oils-Energy companies have returned an average of 31.8%. This means that FuelCell Energy is outperforming the sector as a whole this year.

Another stock in the Oils-Energy sector, Valero Energy (VLO - Free Report) , has outperformed the sector so far this year. The stock's year-to-date return is 115%.

The consensus estimate for Valero Energy's current year EPS has increased 53.2% over the past three months. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).

Looking more specifically, FuelCell Energy belongs to the Alternative Energy - Other industry, which includes 56 individual stocks and currently sits at #152 in the Zacks Industry Rank. Stocks in this group have gained about 4.9% so far this year, so FCEL is performing better this group in terms of year-to-date returns.

Valero Energy, however, belongs to the Oil and Gas - Refining and Marketing industry. Currently, this 16-stock industry is ranked #24. The industry has moved +81% so far this year.

Going forward, investors interested in Oils-Energy stocks should continue to pay close attention to FuelCell Energy and Valero Energy as they could maintain their solid performance.

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