Semiconductors and related equipment are a big growth area going forward — since these components are crucial to the high-tech gadgets we use in just about every part of our lives. But investors should know that while some semiconductor stocks are thriving, others continue to face headwinds among weak consumer spending globally.

I watch more than 5,000 publicly traded companies with my Portfolio Grader tool, ranking companies by a number of fundamental and quantitative measures. This week, I have 10 semiconductor and semiconductor equipment stocks to sell.

Here they are, in alphabetical order. Each one of these stocks gets a “D” or “F” according to my research, meaning it is a “sell” or “strong sell.”

Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NYSE:AMD) is a global semiconductor company that offers x86 microprocessors. AMD is down 39%, year-to-date, in a time when some tech stocks continue to thrive.

Advantest Corp. (NYSE:ATE) is a manufacturing company headquartered in Japan. ATE is down 51% year-to-date, despite strong showings from other semiconductor stocks.

Aixtron (NASDAQ:AIXG) provides deposition equipment to companies in the semiconductor industry. AIXG is down an uninspiring 59% in the last 10-and-a-half months.

Cree Inc. (NASDAQ:CREE) develops and manufactures semiconductor materials. CREE has had a tough year, down 56% since the start of January.

First Solar Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) is known in industry for developing solar modules with an advanced thin-film semiconductor technology. While the Dow Jones has dropped 0.5% in the last year, FSLR has lost 56%, year-to-date.

Micron Technology Inc. (NASDAQ:MU) fits right in on this list as a manufacturer and marketer of semiconductor devices. Like its competition, MU has watched its value drop 35% since the start of 2011.

Microsemi Corp. (NASDAQ:MSCC) designs, manufactures and markets analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits and semiconductors. Year-to-date, MSCC has lost 21%, compared to much smaller losses by the broader markets.

Rambus Inc. (NASDAQ:RMBS) is known in the industry as a property and technology licensing company. A slip of 23%, year-to-date, has been anything but reassuring for shareholders.

Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:SMI) is a semiconductor foundry based in China. A 29% drop, year-to-date, has ensured that SMI shareholders will be looking for a new semiconductor stock worth buying.

United Microelectronics Corp. (NYSE:UMC) is another company that is engaged with the manufacture of semiconductor products. A 33% decline in stock price, year-to-date, has left UMC shareholders looking for replacements.

Get more analysis of these picks and other publicly-traded stocks with Louis Navellier’s Portfolio Grader tool, a 100% free stock-rating tool that measures both quantitative buying pressure and eight fundamental factors.