Is Microsoft (MSFT) Outperforming Other Computer and Technology Stocks This Year?

Group 1 - Microsoft is currently one of 609 companies in the Computer and Technology sector, which ranks 4 within the Zacks Sector Rank [2] - Microsoft has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating a positive earnings outlook with a 1.9% increase in the full-year earnings estimate over the past quarter [3] - Year-to-date, Microsoft has returned 18%, outperforming the average gain of 6.8% for the Computer and Technology sector [4] Group 2 - Microsoft belongs to the Computer - Software industry, which includes 30 companies and currently ranks 38 in the Zacks Industry Rank, with an average gain of 15.6% this year [5] - Advanced Energy Industries, another outperforming stock in the sector, has increased by 14.6% year-to-date and has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [4][5] - The Semiconductor Equipment - Wafer Fabrication industry, where Advanced Energy Industries is categorized, has two stocks and ranks 13, with a year-to-date gain of 15.6% [6]