The Week's Biggest Stock Laggards

What a week for stocks! Markets rallied on Monday on hopes that closer ties among European Union countries could help the region deal with the sovereign-debt crisis that has parked dark storm clouds over the global economy. The excitement continued on Wednesday, as the U.S. Federal Reserve and other central banks around the world agreed to ease dollar funding costs to help improve liquidity for European banks.

Thanks to the big jumps on Monday and Wednesday, the S&P 500 tacked on 7.4% for the week while the Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDEX: ^DJI) jumped 7%. However, while all 10 of the S&P 500 sectors were in the black for the week, not all of them were able to keep up with the index's big gain.

Bottom 3 Performing Sectors

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Weekly price change is Nov. 25-Dec. 1. Monthly price change is Oct. 31-Nov. 30.

While most investors spent the week rejoicing, owners of Hospira (NYS: HSP) were probably cringing, as the stock not only missed out on the week's big gains but also managed to lose significant ground even as the rest of the market rallied. A note from RBC Capital Markets analyst Shibani Malhortra said that Hospira has "widespread" production breakdowns that are "far greater than investors realize."

Joining Hospira on the list of the week's worst performers was Corning (NYS: GLW) , which Mr. Market took to the woodshed after the company cut its fourth-quarter forecast. Of course, investors may have been too hasty in their reaction, as my fellow Fool Rich Smith thinks you'd be wrong to sell Corning.

Bottom 3 Performing S&P 500 Companies

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Weekly price change is Nov. 25-Dec. 1.

Also showing up among the week's laggards was movie maven Netflix (NAS: NFLX) . For investors who have endured the stock's thrashing since midsummer, it must seem as if the shares just can't catch a break. As the rest of the market was flying high on Wednesday, Netflix was slumping because of a downgrade from an analyst at Wedbush. Michael Pachter dropped his view on the stock to underperform and said that the company's business model is broken.

That's it for this week's laggards recap. You can stay up to date on any of these companies by clicking the "+" button next to the ticker and adding it to your watchlist. Don't have a watchlist yet? Don't fret -- you can set one up for free.

At the time thisarticle was published Motley Fool newsletter serviceshave recommended buying shares of Netflix and Corning. Try any of our Foolish newsletter servicesfree for 30 days. We Fools don't all hold the same opinions, but we all believe thatconsidering a diverse range of insightsmakes us better investors.Fool contributorMatt Koppenhefferhas no financial interest in any of the companies mentioned. You can check out what Matt is keeping an eye on by visiting hisCAPS portfolio, or you can follow Matt on Twitter,@KoppTheFool, or onFacebook. The Fool'sdisclosure policyprefers dividends over a sharp stick in the eye. The Motley Fool has adisclosure policy.

Copyright © 1995 - 2011 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.