4 Insurance Stocks That Have Crushed The S&P 500 Year To Date

 | Apr 09, 2019 12:13AM ET

The S&P 500 has performed well so far this year after a disappointing 2018. The benchmark index has gained 14.9% year to date having lost 6.2% in 2018. The easing of tensions between the United States and China on optimism regarding US-China trade negotiations, decline in weekly jobless claims to a 50-year low and strong manufacturing data likely drove the index on the growth path.

The U.S. labor market continues to gain momentum, signaling a stable economy. However, at its Mar 20, 2019 FOMC meeting, the Fed announced that short-term interest rates will remain unchanged this year, implying that GDP growth might slow down to 2.1%. Nonetheless, factors like low unemployment rate (estimated at 3.7% in 2019) and core inflation rate (expected at 2% through 2021) contribute to a bullish economic outlook.

However, per our Growth Score of A or B. This style score analyzes the growth prospects of a company.

First American Financial Corporation (NYSE:FAF) provides financial services. The Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock has a Growth Score of A. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2019 has moved up 1.1% in the past 30 days. The stock has gained 19.7% year to date.