Investors focused on the Finance space have likely heard of Innovative Industrial Properties (IIPR Quick QuoteIIPR - Free Report) , but is the stock performing well in comparison to the rest of its sector peers? By taking a look at the stock's year-to-date performance in comparison to its Finance peers, we might be able to answer that question.

Innovative Industrial Properties is one of 849 companies in the Finance group. The Finance group currently sits at #5 within the Zacks Sector Rank. The Zacks Sector Rank includes 16 different groups and is listed in order from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors.

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. IIPR is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

Within the past quarter, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for IIPR's full-year earnings has moved 1.51% higher. This shows that analyst sentiment has improved and the company's earnings outlook is stronger.

Our latest available data shows that IIPR has returned about 66.40% since the start of the calendar year. Meanwhile, stocks in the Finance group have gained about 10.12% on average. This means that Innovative Industrial Properties is performing better than its sector in terms of year-to-date returns.

Looking more specifically, IIPR belongs to the REIT and Equity Trust - Other industry, which includes 121 individual stocks and currently sits at #157 in the Zacks Industry Rank. This group has gained an average of 14.36% so far this year, so IIPR is performing better in this area.

Investors in the Finance sector will want to keep a close eye on IIPR as it attempts to continue its solid performance.