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Is Comfort Systems USA (FIX) Stock Outpacing Its Construction Peers This Year?

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For those looking to find strong Construction stocks, it is prudent to search for companies in the group that are outperforming their peers. Comfort Systems (FIX - 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 Construction sector should help us answer this question.

Comfort Systems is a member of the Construction sector. This group includes 90 individual stocks and currently holds a Zacks Sector Rank of #16. 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 emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find stocks with improving earnings outlooks. This system has a long record of success, and these stocks tend to be on track to beat the market over the next one to three months. Comfort Systems is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for FIX's full-year earnings has moved 6.9% higher. This is a sign of improving analyst sentiment and a positive earnings outlook trend.

According to our latest data, FIX has moved about 37.1% on a year-to-date basis. Meanwhile, the Construction sector has returned an average of -5.7% on a year-to-date basis. As we can see, Comfort Systems is performing better than its sector in the calendar year.

Another Construction stock, which has outperformed the sector so far this year, is Sterling Infrastructure (STRL - Free Report) . The stock has returned 21.8% year-to-date.

For Sterling Infrastructure, the consensus EPS estimate for the current year has increased 4.9% over the past three months. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Looking more specifically, Comfort Systems belongs to the Building Products - Air Conditioner and Heating industry, a group that includes 9 individual stocks and currently sits at #104 in the Zacks Industry Rank. This group has gained an average of 5.1% so far this year, so FIX is performing better in this area.

In contrast, Sterling Infrastructure falls under the Engineering - R and D Services industry. Currently, this industry has 22 stocks and is ranked #195. Since the beginning of the year, the industry has moved -7.5%.

Investors with an interest in Construction stocks should continue to track Comfort Systems and Sterling Infrastructure. These stocks will be looking to continue their solid performance.

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