High-profile collapses in the bank crisis of 2023 and losses for major healthcare and energy companies dominated the list of worst-performing stocks in the first half of 2023. In fact, banking turmoil played a significant role. Investors witnessed the failure of First Republic, Signature, and Silicon Valley Bank all at once. That way, those three became the largest American banks ever to fail. Consequently, these banks lost their positions on the S&P 500, leaving investors with significant losses.
The financial services sector took the biggest hit, with 19 of the S&P’s 50 worst-performing stocks year-to-date belonging to this sector. Notably, regional banks KeyCorp and Zions suffered substantial losses of 45% and 43%, respectively, securing the second and third spots among the worst performers on the S&P.
Financial Services Stocks Among Worst Performers In 2023’s First Half
Across the broader market, the financial sector experienced a 2% decline year-to-date, making it the worst-performing sector. It was followed by the energy sector with an 8% decline, while the utilities and healthcare sectors saw decreases of 8% and 3%, respectively. Among the major healthcare companies, pharmaceutical giant Pfizer faced a significant setback with a 27% drop in stock price. This decline can be attributed, in part, to a decrease in sales of its Covid-19 vaccines. Similarly, Pfizer’s rival Moderna also experienced a decline of 33% in its stock price.
Advance Auto Parts emerged as the worst-performing stock on the S&P in 2023, plummeting by 51%. The company’s disappointing first-quarter earnings, coupled with profit losses due to price cuts, contributed to this decline.
Global Stocks Rise on Australia’s Unchanged Rate and Wall Street’s Green Banking
Positive market sentiment prevails as global stocks advance
Global stock markets saw mostly positive movement as Australia’s central bank of the future maintained its key lending rate, and Wall Street reached a 15-month high. London, Paris, Shanghai and Hong Kong witnessed gains, while Tokyo experienced a decline. Oil prices also rose following Saudi Arabia and Russia’s announcement of extended oil production cuts aimed at stabilizing prices.
On Monday, Wall Street’s benchmark S&P 500 index recorded a 0.1% increase ahead of the release of U.S. employment data—a crucial factor that the Federal Reserve considers in its decision-making regarding potential interest rate hikes.
US Employment Data and Upcoming Events Influence the Market Outlook
In early trading, the FTSE 100 in London showed a marginal gain. Meanwhile, the CAC 40 in Paris and the DAX in Frankfurt both saw slight increases. In Asia, the Shanghai Composite Index posted a minor gain, the Nikkei 225 in Tokyo declined, and the Hang Seng in Hong Kong advanced. Sydney’s S&P-ASX 200 also recorded a gain following the Reserve Bank of Australia’s decision to maintain its benchmark lending rate.
The global stock market’s focus now turns to a busy week ahead. The main targets include the release of the US ISM PMI and the Reserve Bank of Australia’s monetary policy decision. Besides, the market anticipates FOMC meeting minutes’ results for clearer insight. Additionally, traders eagerly await the US monthly employment report, also known as the NFP report, which is expected to have a significant impact on the direction of the AUD/USD pair and influence the overall market sentiment.
