The Finance group has plenty of great stocks, but investors should always be looking for companies that are outperforming their peers. EPR Properties (EPR) 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? By taking a look at the stock's year-to-date performance in comparison to its Finance peers, we might be able to answer that question.

EPR Properties is a member of the Finance sector. This group includes 877 individual stocks and currently holds a Zacks Sector Rank of #4. 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 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. EPR Properties is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

Within the past quarter, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for EPR's full-year earnings has moved 1.2% higher. This is a sign of improving analyst sentiment and a positive earnings outlook trend.

Based on the latest available data, EPR has gained about 21% so far this year. In comparison, Finance companies have returned an average of 8.4%. This means that EPR Properties is outperforming the sector as a whole this year.

Amerant Bancorp Inc. (AMTB) is another Finance stock that has outperformed the sector so far this year. Since the beginning of the year, the stock has returned 47%.

The consensus estimate for Amerant Bancorp Inc.'s current year EPS has increased 25.5% over the past three months. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).

To break things down more, EPR Properties belongs to the REIT and Equity Trust - Retail industry, a group that includes 19 individual companies and currently sits at #101 in the Zacks Industry Rank. This group has gained an average of 18.5% so far this year, so EPR is performing better in this area.

In contrast, Amerant Bancorp Inc. falls under the Banks - Southeast industry. Currently, this industry has 55 stocks and is ranked #69. Since the beginning of the year, the industry has moved +15.3%.

Investors with an interest in Finance stocks should continue to track EPR Properties and Amerant Bancorp Inc.. These stocks will be looking to continue their solid performance.

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EPR Properties (EPR): Free Stock Analysis Report

 

Amerant Bancorp Inc. (AMTB): Free Stock Analysis Report

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

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