6 Worst Performing S&P 500 Stocks Of 2016

The year 2016 was more about winners than losers, as the markets have been making new highs session after session. After starting the year on the back foot due to macro worries, the markets found their feet in the spring only to find themselves locked in a trading range until the Trump rally took over.

The markets, which began to run up ahead of the elections, saw the buying momentum accelerate, as it became clear that Donald Trump's election could open the floodgates of more stimulus and protectionist policies, seen to be salubrious for domestic companies.

Among the S&P 500 sector classes, only healthcare stocks floundered amid fears of an imminent crackdown on drug pricing. The negative sentiment toward the sector is well documented in the list of six worst performing S&P 500 stocks of the year, which features three stocks from the sector.

The 6 Worst S&P Stocks Of 2016

Here is Benzinga's compilation of the list of six worst performing S&P 500 stocks of the year 2016:

1. Endo International plc - Ordinary Shares ENDP: ( -75.95 percent in the year-to-date period).

Endo was on a steady retreat until mid-May this year and has been found moving sideways along the lower levels thereafter. The stock took a hit from a contagion effect of the fallout of peer Valeant Pharmaceuticals Intl Inc VRX, with investors smelling resemblance to Valeant's business model. These specialty pharma companies are supposed to shy away from investing deep in R&D and instead buy products through debt-fueled acquisitions and then price the product exorbitantly.

In March, the company cut its first-quarter revenue and adjusted earnings per share guidance, although it did suggest it would make up for the shortfall in the subsequent quarters. Subsequently in May, the company trimmed its 2016 revenue forecast, blaming it on asset impairment charges.

2. First Solar, Inc. FSLR: (-50.48 percent in the year-to-date period).

First Solar has had a tough one-period this year, as China worries throttled the stock. China apparently is going slow on solar panel purchases, pushing up inventory levels that logically is bearish for prices. The company was also pressured by Trumps' election, as he is perceived as someone who might not give the thrust Democrats would have for renewable energy. The stock has been on a broad downward channel since March.

The company has been reactive, announcing restructuring, including elimination of 25 percent of the workforce.

3. Tripadvisor Inc TRIP: (-45.58 percent in the year-to-date period).

Travel review company Tripadvisor's stock had a torrid time in early 2016, as it declined along with the broader market, with macroeconomic concerns weighing down on this consumer-focused stock. A dismal first-quarter earnings report did not help matters any further. The stock did not partake in the Trump rally and went the contrarian way.

4. Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated VRTX: (-42.34 percent in the year-to-date period).

Shares of Vertex fell steeply for much of January this year and has not made up the lost ground since then. The company has two drugs to treat cystic fibrosis. Along with the general industry-wide negativity, the company was plagued by some negative developments, including the receipt of a complete response letter from the FDA for its SNDA for its KALYDECO, a failed drug trial and an earnings disappointment in the third quarter.

5. Perrigo Company plc Ordinary Shares PRGO: (-41.71 percent in the year-to-date period).

This over-the-counter and generic pharma company's shares took a tumble in April, when it announced that its then CEO Joseph Papa, who had led the company for a decade and transformed it into a powerhouse in generics, was leaving to take the top job at beleaguered Valeant. Blaming competition, the company lowered its full-year adjusted earnings per share guidance. The company's shares have never managed to come over the April losses and are seen languishing at depressed levels.

6. Under Armour Inc UAA: (-38.93 percent in the year-to-date period).

The company's heavy investment in growth has kept investors on the tenterhooks over whether returns from the investment will generate adequate earnings to justify the spending. Additionally, competitive pressure is stifling the stock.

The broader market had worse performers like Valeant, which lost a whopping 86 percent for the year. FireEye Inc FEYE and Tableau Software Inc DATA also had considerable downside this year. Can these beaten down stocks rebound in the New Year? Our fingers are crossed.