This week, the Semiconductor, Communications Equipment, Metals and Mining, Marine, and Technology Equipment sectors rank lowest on the Portfolio Grader database.
The Semiconductor sector looks weak, with 71% of its stocks (54 out of 76) rated a “sell.” International Rectifier (NYSE:IRF), Intersil (NASDAQ:ISIL), and RF Micro Devices (NASDAQ:RFMD) are all currently earning F’s. International Rectifier is the worst stock in its sector, with the company’s share price falling 31.9% in the last 12 months. This is worse than the S&P 500, which has seen a 14.3% increase over the same period.
The Communications Equipment sector is trailing behind others 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 Nokia (NYSE:NOK) are weighing down the sector. Nokia is performing worst overall in the sector, with a 60% decline over the last 12 months.
Metals and Mining is lagging this week with 64% of its stocks (57 out of 89) rated a “sell.” Mechel (NYSE:MTL), Walter Energy Inc. (NYSE:WLT), and Molycorp (NYSE:MCP) are dragging down the sector overall, each earning a low grade of F. Over the last 12 months, Molycorp is the worst performer in this sector, with a 72% decline.
The Marine sector is dragging, with 63% of its stocks (5 out of 8) rated a “sell.” Diana Shipping (NYSE:DSX), DryShips (NASDAQ:DRYS), and Matson Inc. (NYSE:MATX) are pushing the sector down with D grades. Overall, Matson Inc. is the poorest performer in this sector. Its share price has dropped 27.7% in the last 12 months.
With 60% of its stocks (28 out of 47) rated “sell,” the Technology Equipment sector is struggling this week. Among Technology Equipment stocks, AVX (NYSE:AVX), Avnet (NYSE:AVT), and TTM Technologies (NASDAQ:TTMI) are lingering near the bottom with grades of F. The worst performer in this sector is AVX, which saw its price sink 27.9% 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.
