Is AvalonBay Communities (AVB) Stock Outpacing Its Finance Peers This Year?

Company Performance - AvalonBay Communities (AVB) has returned 24 9% year-to-date outperforming the Finance sector average of 23 8% [4] - AVB's Zacks Consensus Estimate for full-year earnings has increased by 0 4% over the past three months indicating improving analyst sentiment [3] - AVB currently holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) reflecting a positive earnings outlook [3] Industry Comparison - AVB belongs to the REIT and Equity Trust - Residential industry which has gained an average of 11 4% year-to-date AVB is outperforming this industry [5] - American Express (AXP) has returned 53 5% year-to-date significantly outperforming the Finance sector average [4] - AXP's consensus EPS estimate for the current year has increased by 2 7% over the past three months and it also holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [5] Sector and Industry Rankings - The Finance group includes 872 companies and currently ranks 1 in the Zacks Sector Rank [2] - AVB's industry REIT and Equity Trust - Residential ranks 157 in the Zacks Industry Rank [5] - AXP's industry Financial - Miscellaneous Services ranks 74 in the Zacks Industry Rank and has gained 17 5% year-to-date [6] Investment Outlook - Both AVB and AXP are highlighted as stocks to watch in the Finance sector due to their strong performance and positive earnings outlook [6]