The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) is being weighed down by a number of factors today, including a sharp drop in the price of iron ore on Friday as well as investor cautiousness in the lead up to company reporting season.
While the benchmark index has fallen 0.5% however, a number of companies have succumbed to far worse performances, including the following five.
Cash Converters International Ltd (ASX: CCV) has recovered as the day has progressed, although it is still trading 7.9% lower after falling as much as 18.6% earlier. The pawnbroker and payday lending group is the centre of another class action, this time relating to the company's lending practices in Queensland between 2009 and 2013. It's confident that it has nothing to answer for but the market clearly doesn't share the same conviction.
Catapult Group International Ltd (ASX: CAT) delivered a strong quarterly report on Thursday last week which is sure to have investors excited for the long term. However, it appears that investors who are more focused on short-term gains are choosing to take their profits after what has been a remarkable eight-month period for the company. The shares are down 4.3% and could be worth a closer look.
Nufarm Limited (ASX: NUF) is another company that has generated spectacular returns for investors over the last 12 months with the crop protection manufacturer's shares up 77% over that time. However, investors are likely reacting to a broker downgrade which has seen the stock shed 3.8% of its price today to trade at $7.43.
South32 Ltd (ASX: S32) is once again in the market's bad books in what has been a tough session for the resources sector. Since it was spun-off from parent entity BHP Billiton, a number of the commodities that are produced by South32 have plummeted in price with zinc falling into an official bear market most recently. The stock is down 3.2% today and sitting within 3% of a new record low.
Sundance Energy Australia Ltd (ASX: SEA) has plunged 5% to just 47.5 cents a share after another heavy decline in oil prices. As highlighted by the Fairfax press, the resource suffered its biggest monthly drop in nearly seven years based on fears of heightened production at a time when demand could fall in China. West Texas Intermediate, which is the US benchmark, slid nearly 3% bringing the monthly plunge to 21%.
