Summer isn't usually a good time of year for the broad market but stocks of most summer-related companies are on fire this year.

"Summer stocks are fun to own, but they're like riding roller-coasters," says Jack Ablin of Harris Private Bank. "It's great when it's working, but it's really tough when it's not."

Among summer recreation stocks and how they have performed this year:

Theme park operators

• Cedar Fair (FUN): 46.5%

• Walt Disney Co. (DIS): 28.0%

• Six Flags Entertainment (SIX): 27.5%

Summer apparel sellers and makers

• Pacific Sunwear (PSUN): 31.6%

• Zumiez (ZUMZ) : 28.8%

• Quiksilver (ZQK): -31.0%

Outdoor recreation companies

• Brunswick (BC): 18.8%

• Active Network (ACTV): 7.3%

Timing summer stocks during the season is tricky, but investors clearly pay attention to them more. But investors should be careful to not confuse their interest in a what a company does in the summer with thinking it's a good time to buy.

"People get more interested in these stocks this time of year," says B. Riley's Corydon.

USA Today