Worst Stock Ideas Of February

It’s no secret that the S&P 500 is off to a rough start in 2016, but the index traded mostly flat in February after a big January selloff. Unfortunately for investors, February’s list of worst-performing stocks had several familiar names.

5. Viacom, Inc VIAB

On Feb. 2, Viacom investors bailed on the stock after the company reported weak ad sales and a 10 percent decline in Q4 earnings compared to a year ago. Viacom finished February down 17.2 percent on the month.

4. Chesapeake Energy Corporation CHK

Chesapeake shareholders just can’t seem to catch a break. Balance sheet concerns made Chesapeake the worst-performing stock in the entire S&P 500 in 2015, and the stock’s 17.4 percent decline in February once again lands it among the index’s worst performers.

Related Link: Wells Fargo Sees 23.5% Recession Probability In Next 6 Months

3. Endo International plc – Ordinary Shares ENDP

Endo finished February on a low note, reporting mostly in-line Q4 earnings, but issuing weak 2016 revenue guidance. The stock’s Leap Day decline put Endo’s total drop for the month at 23.9 percent.

2. Devon Energy Corp DVN

Crude oil prices hit 13-year lows in February, as WTI dipped nearly to $26 before a month-end rebound. In a lingering weak oil environment, Devon finished February down 26.5 percent.

1. Southwestern Energy Company SWN

Things keep going from bad to worse for Southwestern shareholders. Not only was Southwestern one of the five worst-performing stocks of 2015, its 32.3 percent February decline makes it the worst stock idea of the month.

Despite these horrible performances, 2016’s biggest loser year-to-date is offshore driller ENSCO PLC ESV which is already down a staggering 43.6 percent in the first two months of 2016.

Disclosure: the author holds no position in the stocks mentioned.