With serious slides on the year, three giant companies have seen their combined market value diminish by nearly a fifth of a trillion dollars in 2015.
Out of all the S&P 500 companies, the one that has lost the most value year-to-date is Wal-Mart. The world’s largest retailer, Wal-Mart is worth a total of $193 billion. But its market capitalization has diminished by 30 percent since the beginning of the year, when Wal-Mart’s stock was valued at $277 billion.
This as the company has been vexed with troubling earnings concerns. In October, the stock plunged 10 percent in a single session after the company’s management cut sales and profit guidance.
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The second-biggest loser is Exxon Mobil, which has shed nearly $60 billion in value this year. Its massive size has made it by far the biggest market cap loser in the energy sector, even though Exxon shares have fallen a bit less — on a percentage basis — than the overall S&P 500 energy sector this year.
The third-biggest loser is wireless technology company Qualcomm, which has seen $48 billion worth of value evaporate. That stock plunged in early November after a disappointing earnings report.
Of the three names, Wall Street appears the most positive on the third. The average analyst rating on Wal-Mart and on Exxon Mobil is “hold,” while the average analyst rates Qualcomm “outperform,” with an average target price of $63.17, according to FactSet. That target implies a rise of nearly 30 percent from current levels.
