Plus, how Dow stocks perform after lengthy losses
It's been a rough year for General Electric Company (NYSE:GE) shares, to say the least. In fact, GE stock just wrapped up a 12th straight monthly loss -- not only the longest monthly losing streak among both current and former Dow stocks, but the longest among all optionable, liquid stocks right now. As such, we decided to take a look at how GE's plunge compares to other stocks, and how blue chips tend to fare after lengthy stretches in the red.
Below is a list of the longest current monthly losing streaks among all optionable, liquid stocks, courtesy of Schaeffer's Senior Quantiative Analyst Rocky White. GE leads the pack, down more than 50% during its 12-month decline. Taking runner-up is Boardwalk Pipeline Partners (NYSE:BWP), which has dropped for 11 straight months. Behind BWP is gun maker American Outdoor Brands Corp (NASDAQ:AOBC) stock, which is already well on its way to a 10th month in the red after today's earnings disappointment and amid a raging gun control debate.
Meanwhile, no other Dow stock has ever suffered a losing streak longer than nine months, per White. Below is a list of current Dow stocks that suffered monthly losing streaks of at least seven months at some point, and how they fared afterward. Only GE's streak is current, and it's the only Dow component with three such streaks.
However, summarizing the returns above indicates that once a blue chip snaps a lengthy win streak, it's relatively smooth sailing over the next year. On average, the stocks were higher by almost 10% three months later, and up 20% a year out.
Yet one could argue that GE is an anomaly. The tables above indicate that most blue-chip losing streaks don't make it to a Month 8, let alone a Month 12. Not to mention General Electric is dealing with some key fundamental issues, including a board shake-up, a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investigation, and talk of a possible breakup. In fact, some analysts think GE might not be a Dow stock much longer -- which typically doesn't bode well for those securities.