Today's 3 Worst Stocks
A day after its worst single day in more than three months, the S&P 500 Index rebounded on encouraging housing data and testimony from Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke that signaled bond-buying measures would continue. Despite the positive macro news, today's three worst-performing S&P 500 stocks all had troubles with their own earnings, driving shares lower.
Logistics company Expeditors International of Washington was Tuesday's biggest laggard, dropping 7.3% as earnings declined at a double-digit rate from the year before and air freight revenue disappointed big time. The $0.40 EPS figure came in below $0.43 EPS estimates, and with operating cash flows coming in nearly $90 million lower than the year-ago period, there wasn't much for investors to applaud today.
First Solar shareholders were also unenthused Tuesday. The stock closed 4.2% lower during normal hours, but fell as much as 10% after hours. The dramatic decline was due to horrendous revenue projections for the first quarter. Wall Street expected $822 million in sales, yet the company projected between $650 million and $750 million for the period today. On top of that, First Solar missed earnings expectations for the fourth quarter and projected weak cash flow moving forward. In short, absolutely nothing to be excited about for shareholders today.
Lastly, natural gas utilities company ONEOK slumped 4% today, even though it beat earnings expectations. However, as the current valuation of a company is based on the expectations of its future success, ONEOK, like First Solar, was also the victim of lowered guidance. You just can't revise full-year earnings expectations from the $405 million-$500 million range to the $350 million-$400 million range and expect shares not to take a significant hit.
Investors and bystanders alike have been shocked by First Solar's precipitous drop over the last 12 months, and now the stakes have never been higher for the company. Are they done for good or ready for a rebound? If you're looking for continuing updates and guidance on the company whenever news breaks, we've created a brand new report that details every must know side of this stock. To get started, just click here now.
The article Today's 3 Worst Stocks originally appeared on Fool.com.
Fool contributor John Divine has no position in any stocks mentioned. You can follow him on Twitter @divinebizkid and on Motley Fool CAPS @TMFDivine.The Motley Fool recommends ONEOK, and owns shares of Expeditors International of Washington. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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