Investors interested in Basic Materials stocks should always be looking to find the best-performing companies in the group. Givaudan SA (GVDNY) 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 Basic Materials sector should help us answer this question.

Givaudan SA is one of 238 individual stocks in the Basic Materials sector. Collectively, these companies sit at #11 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 is a proven model that highlights a variety of stocks with the right characteristics to outperform the market over the next one to three months. The system emphasizes earnings estimate revisions and favors companies with improving earnings outlooks. Givaudan SA is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy).

Within the past quarter, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for GVDNY's full-year earnings has moved 14.3% higher. This signals that analyst sentiment is improving and the stock's earnings outlook is more positive.

Our latest available data shows that GVDNY has returned about 13.7% since the start of the calendar year. Meanwhile, stocks in the Basic Materials group have lost about 4.5% on average. This means that Givaudan SA is outperforming the sector as a whole this year.

Another Basic Materials stock, which has outperformed the sector so far this year, is Avino Silver (ASM). The stock has returned 98.5% year-to-date.

In Avino Silver's case, the consensus EPS estimate for the current year increased 25% over the past three months. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).

Breaking things down more, Givaudan SA is a member of the Chemical - Specialty industry, which includes 33 individual companies and currently sits at #72 in the Zacks Industry Rank. Stocks in this group have lost about 19.2% so far this year, so GVDNY is performing better this group in terms of year-to-date returns.

Avino Silver, however, belongs to the Mining - Silver industry. Currently, this 10-stock industry is ranked #11. The industry has moved +31.6% so far this year.

Investors with an interest in Basic Materials stocks should continue to track Givaudan SA and Avino Silver. These stocks will be looking to continue their solid performance.

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