Category: Penny Stocks

At the end of a second consecutive year during which the S&P 500 has risen more than 20%, two things investors need to remember are that time tends to smooth out performance and that the index is weighted by market capitalization. This means large companies can support the S&P 500’s gain even as dozens of stocks in the index get pummeled.

Following the list of the 20 biggest gainers in the S&P 500 in 2024, below is a list of the largest decliners in the large-cap U.S. benchmark index.

The Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate for the third time this year on Wednesday as its effort to control inflation continued. 

Though rate cuts have made the cost of borrowing cheaper overall, one of the biggest expenses Americans face has only grown: It’s become harder to buy a home.

Investors in mortgage-finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have watched those stocks more than double in 2024 amid hopes that President-elect Donald Trump would end the federal government’s conservatorship of the companies when he assumes office.

Fannie FNMA and Freddie FMCC shares rose about 6% on Tuesday after a series of reports that reflected the Republican party’s desire to return Fannie and Freddie to the private sector. The companies are not listed and only trade over-the-counter.

Broadcom Inc.’s commentary about the potential of artificial intelligence over the next three years had investors bidding up other stocks across the technology sector — but not shares of Nvidia Corp. or Advanced Micro Devices Inc.

While Broadcom shares AVGO had a record one-day rally, rising more than 24%, and the PHLX Semiconductor Index SOX gained 3.4%, shares of Nvidia NVDA and AMD AMD were both down and were the two biggest laggards in that chip index. Nvidia’s stock fell 2.3% and AMD’s lost 2.8%.