Investors interested in Utilities stocks should always be looking to find the best-performing companies in the group. China Resources Power Holdings Co. (CRPJY) 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? A quick glance at the company's year-to-date performance in comparison to the rest of the Utilities sector should help us answer this question.

China Resources Power Holdings Co. is one of 105 individual stocks in the Utilities sector. Collectively, these companies sit at #6 in the Zacks Sector Rank. The Zacks Sector Rank considers 16 different sector groups. The average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups is measured, and the sectors are listed from best to worst.

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. China Resources Power Holdings Co. is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

Over the past 90 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for CRPJY's full-year earnings has moved 1.9% higher. This shows that analyst sentiment has improved and the company's earnings outlook is stronger.

According to our latest data, CRPJY has moved about 46% on a year-to-date basis. In comparison, Utilities companies have returned an average of 14.4%. As we can see, China Resources Power Holdings Co. is performing better than its sector in the calendar year.

Another stock in the Utilities sector, Deutsche Telekom AG (DTEGY), has outperformed the sector so far this year. The stock's year-to-date return is 20.1%.

The consensus estimate for Deutsche Telekom AG's current year EPS has increased 2.1% over the past three months. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).

Looking more specifically, China Resources Power Holdings Co. belongs to the Utility - Electric Power industry, which includes 59 individual stocks and currently sits at #60 in the Zacks Industry Rank. On average, this group has gained an average of 17.9% so far this year, meaning that CRPJY is performing better in terms of year-to-date returns.

Deutsche Telekom AG, however, belongs to the Diversified Communication Services industry. Currently, this 14-stock industry is ranked #190. The industry has moved +3.6% so far this year.

Investors interested in the Utilities sector may want to keep a close eye on China Resources Power Holdings Co. and Deutsche Telekom AG as they attempt to continue their solid performance.