The Worst Stock Ideas of 2015

After the S&P 500 roared back over the past six years following the Financial Crisis, the market took a break in 2015, finishing the year down 0.73 percent. Some unfortunate stocks, however, were hit harder than others.

With oil and other commodity prices hitting new multi-year lows in 2015, many of the worst performing stocks in the S&P were oil/gas and commodity-related names.

Here’s a look at the five worst performing stocks in the S&P 500 in 2015. Each of these five stocks gave up more than two-thirds of its market cap throughout the year.

5. Fossil Group Inc FOSL

With the dawn of the smartwatch, conventional watchmakers now run the risk of becoming a relic of the past. Fossil’s stock fell 66.8 percent in 2015.

4. Freeport-McMoRan Inc FCX

With copper prices at six-year lows, it’s not surprising to see one of the world’s largest copper producers make the 2015 worst performers list. Freeport’s stock plummeted 70.1 percent on the year.

Related Link: The Best Stock Ideas Of December

3. Southwestern Energy Company SWN

After an ugly 30.0 percent swoon in December, Southwestern landed itself among the worst performing stocks of 2015. The stock declined by a staggering 73.8 percent in 2015.

2. CONSOL Energy Inc. CNX

After leading the list of S&P 500 decliners for the most of the year, coal and gas stock CONSOL narrowly avoided the top spot on the list after a ringing November endorsement from David Einhorn. CONSOL still fell 76.5 percent on the year.

1. Chesapeake Energy Corporation CHK

It’s not surprising that yet another oil and gas stock takes the dubious distinction of the worst-performing S&P 500 stock of the year. In a photo finish, Chesapeake edged out CONSOL by falling a stunning 76.7 percent in 2015.

Disclosure: The author owns shares of CONSOL.

Image Credit: Public Domain