SCL

Avient (AVNT) has significantly outperformed the Basic Materials sector year-to-date, gaining 30.5% compared to the sector average of 11.5%. The stock holds a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) with improving analyst sentiment, as consensus earnings estimates have increased 3.9% over the past 90 days. Stepan Co. (SCL) is another strong performer in the same Chemical - Diversified industry, returning 31.3% year-to-date.

Zacks highlights two stocks with Strong Buy ratings and positive momentum: Stepan Company (SCL), a specialty chemicals manufacturer with a 10.3% earnings estimate increase over 60 days and 12.3% three-month gains; and AC Immune (ACIU), a biopharmaceutical company focused on neurodegenerative diseases with a 28.6% earnings estimate increase and 9.2% three-month gains.

Five companies have been added to the Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) list based on increasing consensus earnings estimates over the last 60 days. The stocks include Motorsport Games (30.4% earnings estimate increase), Gray Media (24.9% increase), Helios Technologies (10% increase), Embraer (8.1% increase), and Stepan Company (5.9% increase).