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Has Microsoft (MSFT) Outpaced Other Computer and Technology Stocks This Year?

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Investors focused on the Computer and Technology space have likely heard of Microsoft (MSFT - Free Report) , but is the stock performing well in comparison to the rest of its sector peers? By taking a look at the stock's year-to-date performance in comparison to its Computer and Technology peers, we might be able to answer that question.

Microsoft is one of 625 companies in the Computer and Technology group. The Computer and Technology group currently sits at #3 within 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 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. MSFT is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy).

Over the past 90 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for MSFT's full-year earnings has moved 6.57% higher. This means that analyst sentiment is stronger and the stock's earnings outlook is improving.

Based on the most recent data, MSFT has returned 30.59% so far this year. Meanwhile, the Computer and Technology sector has returned an average of 11.15% on a year-to-date basis. This means that Microsoft is outperforming the sector as a whole this year.

To break things down more, MSFT belongs to the Computer - Software industry, a group that includes 50 individual companies and currently sits at #52 in the Zacks Industry Rank. On average, stocks in this group have gained 27.79% this year, meaning that MSFT is performing better in terms of year-to-date returns.

Going forward, investors interested in Computer and Technology stocks should continue to pay close attention to MSFT as it looks to continue its solid performance.


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