For the week, the worst sectors according to Portfolio Grader are the Metals and Mining, Energy Services, Semiconductor, Communications Equipment, and Technology Equipment sectors.
The Metals and Mining sector is trailing behind others this week, with 70% of its stocks (62 out of 88) rated a “sell”. Mechel (NYSE:MTL), Cliffs Natural Resources (NYSE:CLF), and Walter Energy Inc. (NYSE:WLT) are pushing the sector down with F grades. Overall, Cliffs Natural Resources is the poorest performer in this sector. Its share price has dropped 33.9% in the last 12 months.
With 66% of its stocks (33 out of 50) rated “sell,” the Energy Services sector is struggling this week. Baker Hughes (NYSE:BHI), Precision Drilling (NYSE:PDS), and Nabors Industries (NYSE:NBR) are all currently earning F’s. Precision Drilling is the worst stock in its sector, with the company’s share price falling 41.8% in the last 12 months.
The Semiconductor sector looks weak, with 65% of its stocks (49 out of 75) rated a “sell”. International Rectifier (NYSE:IRF), Rambus Inc. (NASDAQ:RMBS), and Intersil (NASDAQ:ISIL) are dragging down the sector overall, each earning a low grade of F. Over the last 12 months, International Rectifier is the worst performer in this sector, with a 32.4% decline.
The Communications Equipment sector is lagging this week with 65% of its stocks (22 out of 34) rated a “sell”. With an overall grade of F, Acme Packet (NASDAQ:APKT), Alcatel-Lucent (NYSE:ALU), and Finisar (NASDAQ:FNSR) are weighing down the sector. Alcatel-Lucent is the worst performer in this sector, with a 45.5% decline in the last 12 months.
The Technology Equipment sector is dragging, with 64% of its stocks (29 out of 45) rated a “sell”. Among Technology Equipment stocks, AVX (NYSE:AVX), Aeroflex (NYSE:ARX), and Coherent Inc. (NASDAQ:COHR) are lingering near the bottom with grades of F. Aeroflex is performing worst overall in the sector, with a 23.6% decline over the last 12 months.
Louis Navellier’s proprietary Portfolio Grader stock ranking system assesses roughly 5,000 companies every week based on a number of fundamental and quantitative measures. Stocks are given a letter grade based on their results — with A being “strong buy,” and F being “strong sell.” Explore the tool here.
