Is Lam Research (LRCX) Outperforming Other Computer and Technology Stocks This Year?

The Computer and Technology group has plenty of great stocks, but investors should always be looking for companies that are outperforming their peers. Lam Research (LRCX) 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 Computer and Technology peers, we might be able to answer that question.

Lam Research is one of 614 companies in the Computer and Technology group. The Computer and Technology group currently sits at #2 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 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. Lam Research is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

Over the past 90 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for LRCX's full-year earnings has moved 20.5% higher. This is a sign of improving analyst sentiment and a positive earnings outlook trend.

According to our latest data, LRCX has moved about 81.4% on a year-to-date basis. At the same time, Computer and Technology stocks have gained an average of 15.2%. This means that Lam Research is outperforming the sector as a whole this year.

Aehr Test Systems (AEHR) is another Computer and Technology stock that has outperformed the sector so far this year. Since the beginning of the year, the stock has returned 424.9%.

The consensus estimate for Aehr Test Systems' current year EPS has increased 1350% over the past three months. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

To break things down more, Lam Research belongs to the Electronics - Semiconductors industry, a group that includes 49 individual companies and currently sits at #38 in the Zacks Industry Rank. On average, stocks in this group have gained 27.4% this year, meaning that LRCX is performing better in terms of year-to-date returns.

Aehr Test Systems, however, belongs to the Electronics - Measuring Instruments industry. Currently, this 5-stock industry is ranked #45. The industry has moved +57.8% so far this year.

Going forward, investors interested in Computer and Technology stocks should continue to pay close attention to Lam Research and Aehr Test Systems as they could maintain their solid performance.

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

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