We recently compiled a list of the 10 Worst-Performing Growth Stocks in 2024. In this article, we are going to take a look at where ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:ACAD) stands against the other Worst-Performing Growth Stock in 2024.

Economic Growth and Market Resilience

Economists anticipate modest US economic growth in the upcoming quarters, and some continue to caution that a mild recession could occur. If high interest rates have a lagging negative effect on American consumers, it might be challenging for investors to locate reliable growth stocks to purchase.

Nevertheless, analysts at UBS are confident that the upward trajectory in the equity market is poised to continue amid the uncertainties regarding the US election and soaring geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The strategists led by Jonathan Golub have already raised their S&P 500 target to 6,400 from 6000 on the belief that the US economy will remain resilient and supportive of the equity markets.

READ ALSO: 10 Most Promising Future Stocks According to Analysts and 10 Most Promising Growth Stocks According to Hedge Funds.

The Swiss bank expects the interest rate cuts by the Fed to be supportive of the economy, therefore fueling a 3.7% nominal growth in 2025. Likewise, the rate cuts should lower interest expense on borrowed capital and, in return, the default risk, which should add to earnings per share and valuations

“Valuations typically expand when the Fed cuts in non-recessionary environments,” the strategist said on October 15 in an interview with CNBC. “Despite elevated valuations, we expect P/Es to rise [half a] multiple point.” Golub also noted that a “sharp decline in Fed Funds will likely increase profit margins by 20 [basis points] via lower interest expense.”

Growth Stocks and Investment Strategies

Since the start of 2023, growth stocks have beaten value stocks, and investors expect this trend to continue as the Fed eases monetary policy to steer the economy into a soft landing. Over the past few years, the bull market has affected stocks in various industries differently. Some have rallied, generating significant returns, while others have lagged their core business and earnings, having come under pressure.

The best growth stocks can beat the stock market and give investors sizable returns regardless of the prevailing economic conditions. That has been the case as some have posted robust revenue growth higher than that of most of their peers, and the catalysts indicate that the growth may continue.

Some of the growth stocks that have exploded in value have received a lift from the economy, remaining resilient, while others have benefited from the artificial intelligence frenzy. Even as investors eye opportunities around AI plays, Morning Star’s chief market strategist Dave Sekera, believes it might be time to reconsider that investment strategy.

“In our 3Q 2024 Stock Market Outlook, we reviewed why we thought the AI trade had run its course and investors should pare down positions in growth stocks and reinvest those proceeds into value stocks. As detailed in our August 2024 Outlook, it appears that the great rotation into value stocks began in July—and still has further room to run. According to our valuations, on both an absolute as well as a relative basis, value stocks remain the most attractive category by style,” said Sekera.

Nevertheless, some growth stocks have fallen behind after a few successful years. The stocks are down year to date, having felt the full brunt of high interest rates and inflation. Some have underperformed as investors question their long-term prospects due to soaring competition in their respective sectors. While other growth stocks’ core business has come under pressure amid the proliferation of advanced technology that is eating into their respective core fields

To determine which stocks are the best to purchase right now, investors must distinguish between these assets. In addition to providing a solid foundation, this list of growth stocks may enable you to outperform the market.

Our Methodology

To compile our list of the worst-performing growth stocks in 2024, we started by gathering stocks from various growth stock ETFs. We filtered these stocks based on their share price drops, creating a list of twenty companies. Finally, we ranked these companies in ascending order according to their share price drops year to date.

At Insider Monkey, we are obsessed with the stocks that hedge funds pile into. The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).

ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:ACAD)

Year to Date Gain as of October 28: -53.53%

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 36

ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:ACAD) is a biotechnology giant specializing in developing and commercializing medicines to treat unmet medical needs. While the stock is down by about 53% year to date, the underperformance comes on the company facing some headwinds with the launch of its treatment for Rett syndrome, DAYBUE.

The drug has faced significant challenges, with its sales dropping 11% sequentially in the second quarter to $85 million in sales from $90 million expected. The significant miss came on fewer than expected patients starting treatment. Consequently, ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:ACAD) has been forced to cut its full-year revenue estimates for the drug to between $340 million and $370 million, down by $40 million from the previous guidance.

Despite the significant miss with DAYBUE, ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:ACAD) delivered solid second-quarter results, with revenues increasing 46%  year over year to $242 million. The increase was fuelled mainly by NUPLAZID, the company’s lead candidate for Parkinson’s disease Psychosis. Sales of NUPLAZID have surpassed projections and have made a substantial contribution to ACADIA’s cash flow, demonstrating the company’s continued strength.

Additionally, ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:ACAD)’s long-term prospects, despite being one of the worst-performing growth stocks in 2024, remain intact owing to DAYBUE’s long-term prospects with exposure to a market worth over $1 billion. Additionally, about 900 patients already use the drug, an estimated 9000, affirming the substantial room for growth. The stock trades at a great discount with a price-to-earnings multiple of 18 compared to the industry average of 33.

A total of 36 hedge funds reported holding shares of ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:ACAD) in Q2 2024. Baker Bros. Advisors remained the largest hedge fund holder with 42.88 million shares worth $696.76 million, comprising 8.9% of their portfolio.

Overall, ACAD ranks 2nd on our list of 10 Worst-Performing Growth Stocks in 2024. While we acknowledge the potential of ACAD as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than ACAD, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.