On the Portfolio Grader database this week, the Metals and Mining, Semiconductor, Communications Equipment, Energy Services, and Service sectors are among the worst.
The Metals and Mining sector is dragging, with 84% of its stocks (76 out of 91) rated a “sell.” Thompson Creek Metals (NYSE:TC), Century Aluminum (NASDAQ:CENX), and Molycorp (NYSE:MCP) are dragging down the sector overall, each earning a low grade of F. Overall, Molycorp is the poorest performer in this sector. Its share price has dropped 75% in the last 12 months. This is worse than the S&P 500’s 20.2% increase for the same period.
With 65% of its stocks (54 out of 83) rated “sell,” the Semiconductor sector is struggling this week. With an overall grade of F, Intersil (NASDAQ:ISIL), Advanced Micro Devices (NYSE:AMD), and RF Micro Devices (NASDAQ:RFMD) are weighing down the sector. Over the last 12 months, Advanced Micro Devices is the worst performer in this sector, with a 44.3% decline.
The Communications Equipment sector is trailing behind others this week, with 60% of its stocks (21 out of 35) rated a “sell.” Out of the Communications Equipment stocks, Nokia (NYSE:NOK), Acme Packet (NASDAQ:APKT), and Research In Motion (NASDAQ:RIMM) are near the bottom with F’s. The worst performer in this sector is Research in Motion, which saw its price sink 69.7% in the last 12 months.
The Energy Services sector looks weak, with 59% of its stocks (30 out of 51) rated a “sell.” Tetra Technologies (NYSE:TTI), Transocean (NYSE:RIG), and Weatherford International (NYSE:WFT) are all currently earning F’s. Tetra Technologies is performing worst overall in the sector, with a 32.3% decline over the last 12 months.
Service is lagging this week with 57% of its stocks (12 out of 21) rated a “sell.” Among Service stocks, DeVry (NYSE:DV), ITT Educational Services (NYSE:ESI), and New Oriental Education & Technology Group (NYSE:EDU) are lingering near the bottom with grades of F. New Oriental Education & Technology Group is the worst performer in this sector, with a 56.4% decline in 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.
