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 StoneCo Ltd. (NASDAQ:STNE) 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.
Source: Pexels
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).
StoneCo Ltd. (NASDAQ:STNE)
Year to Date Gain as of October 28: -35.14%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 35
StoneCo Ltd. (NASDAQ:STNE) is a tech company that provides financial technology and software. They help merchants and partners do electronic commerce both in stores and online. While it was expected to be one of the best performing amid the digital revolution with increased focus on electronic payments, that has not been the case. The stock is down by 35.14% year to date, emerging as one of the worst-performing growth stocks in 2024.
StoneCo Ltd. (NASDAQ:STNE) is down by more than 80% from its all-time highs. The underperformance in recent months has come from the company’s core business, offering financial services to small and medium-sized businesses under pressure. Its growth hit a wall in the Brazilian economy, and it felt pressure from the high interest rates environment and slower recovery from the pandemic era.
StoneCo Ltd. (NASDAQ:STNE)’s issue was made worse by the fact that it used data from Brazil’s national registry to assess borrowers’ creditworthiness, only to find out later that the data was inaccurate. As a result, the fintech stock price fell more than 90%, its net income suffered greatly, and it suffered enormous losses on its loan portfolio.
Amid the struggles, StoneCo’s core strength lies in its Merchant Services Micro Business, which continues to outperform the overall industry. Consequently, its Total Payment Volume has grown at double the industry rate from $25.9 billion as of 2019 to $61 billion, representing a 28% compound annual growth rate. Likewise, it has grown its client base by 37%, from a net loss of $92 million in 2022 to a profit of $280 million in 2023. Its net income was up by 54.4% in Q2 to R$497.1 million
With an emphasis on improving credit offerings, growing software solutions, and extending payment processing capabilities, StoneCo Ltd. (NASDAQ:STNE) is pursuing a multifaceted growth strategy that affirms its long-term prospects.
Investment management company Ave Maria recently released its fourth quarter 2023 investor letter. Here is what the fund said:
“StoneCo Ltd. (NASDAQ:STNE) provides solutions that enable merchants and integrated partners to conduct electronic commerce seamlessly across in-store, online, and mobile channels in Brazil. StoneCo has faced near-term operational challenges because of the pandemic and high levels of inflation in Brazil. The company appears to be moving past these challenges and it appears that the successful integration of the newly acquired software business with its payments business will drive substantial shareholder value longer term.”
Overall, STNE ranks 8th on our list of 10 Worst-Performing Growth Stocks in 2024. While we acknowledge the potential of STNE 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 STNE, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
READ NEXT: 8 Best Wide Moat Stocks to Buy Now and 30 Most Important AI Stocks According to BlackRock
Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
