7 of the Worst-Performing Stocks in Gurus' Portfolios

Stocks with negative 6-month performances

Author's Avatar
Apr 14, 2017
Article's Main Image

While gurus hold positions in these companies, the stock price and returns continue to fall. These are the worst-performing stocks over the last three months with a long-term presence in more than four gurus’ portfolios.

Acuity Brands Inc. (AYI, Financial) had a negative performance of 25.9% over the last six months. Three mutual funds hold the stock with a total weight of 0.06% on their portfolios.

The company has a market cap of $7.83 billion, and the stock is trading with a price-sales (P/S) ratio of 2.27. The price of $177.68 is 36.74% below its 52-week high and 4.81% above its 52-week low. Over the last 10 years, it returned a loss of 249%.

The return on equity (ROE) of 18.47% and return on assets (ROA) of 10.69% are outperforming 88% of other companies in the Global Electronic Components industry.

During the fourth quarter,Ă‚ Columbia Wanger (Trades, Portfolio) and Mario Gabelli (Trades, Portfolio) reduced their holdings of the company while Pioneer Investments (Trades, Portfolio) and Jim Simons (Trades, Portfolio) increased their positions. Joel Greenblatt (Trades, Portfolio) and Steven Cohen (Trades, Portfolio) established positions.

LiLAC Group (LILA, Financial) had a negative performance of 18.9% over the last six months. Three mutual funds hold the stock with a total weight of 0.16% on their portfolios.

The company has a market cap of $3.91 billion, and the stock is trading with a P/S ratio of 0.78. The price of $22.64 is 46.89% below its 52-week high and 18.53% above its 52-week low. Over the last 10 years, it returned a loss of 40%.

The ROE of -8.80% and ROA of -2.40% are underperforming 77% of other companies in the Global Pay-TV industry.

During the fourth quarter, Glenn Greenberg (Trades, Portfolio), Gabelli and Simons reduced their stakes in the company. The Wintergreen Fund (Trades, Portfolio) established a position and Jeremy Grantham (Trades, Portfolio) and Dodge & Cox increased their stakes.

AutoZone Inc. (AZO, Financial) had a negative performance of 7.9% over the last six months. Four mutual funds hold the stock with a total weight of 0.77% on their portfolios.

The company has a market cap of $19.9 billion, and the stock is trading with a P/S ratio of 1.96. The price of $700.59 is 14.51% below its 52-week high and 1.11% above its 52-week low. Over the last 10 years, it returned a gain of 436%.

The ROA of 14.74% and return on capital (ROC) of 56.50% are outperforming 86% of other companies in the Global Specialty Retail industry.

During the fourth quarter, Cohen, Gabelli and Paul Tudor Jones (Trades, Portfolio) reduced their holdings of the company. Caxton Associates (Trades, Portfolio) and Manning & Napier Advisors Inc. initiated new holdings. Simons, Greenblatt and Ray Dalio (Trades, Portfolio) increased their positions.

MDC Partners Inc. (MDCA, Financial) had a negative performance of 18.6% over the last six months. Three mutual funds hold the stock with a total weight of 0.09% on their portfolios.

The company has a market cap of $439 million, and the stock is trading with a P/S ratio of 0.33. The price of $8.75 is 63.39% below its 52-week high and 218.18% above its 52-week low. Over the last 10 years, it returned a gain of 58%.

The ROA of -3.00% and ROC of 23.24% are underperforming 72% of other companies in the Global Marketing Services industry.

During the fourth quarter, Hotchkis & Wiley, Jones, Simons and Greenblatt established new positions in the company. Leon Cooperman (Trades, Portfolio) added to his stake.

Concho Resources Inc. (CXO, Financial) had a negative performance of 5.8% over the last six months. Despite this, four mutual funds are holding the stock with a total weight of 1.64% on their portfolios.

The company has a market cap of $19.56 million, and the stock is trading with a P/S ratio of 10.71. The price of $132 is 10.54% below its 52-week high and 33.01% above its 52-week low. Over the last 10 years, it returned a gain of 923%.

The ROE of -21.62% and ROA of -12.50% are underperforming 60% of other companies in the Global Oil and Gas E&P industry.

During the fourth quarter, Spiros Segalas (Trades, Portfolio), Dodge & Cox, John Burbank (Trades, Portfolio), Ron Baron (Trades, Portfolio) and Dalio reduced their holdings. Caxton Associates and Simons acquired new positions while Pioneer Investments (Trades, Portfolio) added to its stake.

DexCom Inc. (DXCM, Financial) had a negative performance of 5.9% over the last six months. Four mutual funds hold the stock with a total weight of 0.24% on their portfolios.

The company has a market cap of $6.54 billion, and the stock is trading with a P/S ratio of 11.23. The price of $77.09 is 20.01% below its 52-week high and 33.65% above its 52-week low. Over the last 10 years, it returned a gain of 844%.

The ROE of -26.36% and ROA of -19.42% are underperforming 62% of other companies in the Global Diagnostics and Research industry.

During the fourth quarter, Baron and Gabelli reduced their stakes. Simons established a position. Cohen, John Paulson (Trades, Portfolio) and George Soros (Trades, Portfolio) increased their stakes.

Edgewell Personal Care Co. (EPC, Financial) had a negative performance of 8.8% over the last six months. Three mutual funds hold the stock with a total weight of 0.53% on their portfolios.

The company has a market cap of $4.07 billion, and the stock is trading with a P/S ratio of 1.79. The price of $70.85 is 19.49% below its 52-week high and 1.75% above its 52-week low. Over the last 10 years, it returned a gain of 10%.

The ROE of 10.30% and ROA of 3.94% are outperforming 50% of other companies in the Global Household and Personal Products industry.

During the fourth quarter, Gabelli, Greenblatt, Ken Fisher (Trades, Portfolio) and Jones reduced their holdings. Diamond Hill Capital (Trades, Portfolio) and Simons added to their positons.

Disclosure: I do not own any shares of any stocks mentioned in this article.

Start a free 7-day trial of Premium Membership to GuruFocus.