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The 2 Worst Performing S&P 500 Stocks YTD: Buy, Sell, or Avoid?

S&P 500

Key Points

  • The S&P 500 is down 8% YTD and over 12% off its 52-week highs amid tariff hikes, increasing uncertainty, and economic fears.
  • Deckers (DECK), the worst-performing S&P 500 stock YTD, is down over 47%, hit hard by steep tariffs on China and Vietnam. 
  • Charles River Laboratories (CRL) has plunged 42% YTD following an FDA shift away from animal testing. 
  • MarketBeat previews the top five stocks to own by May 1st.

It’s been a turbulent start to 2025 for investors. The market has faced a wave of selling pressure driven by surging tariffs, escalating geopolitical tensions, and growing fears of a global economic slowdown. The S&P 500, tracked by the popular SPDR ETF NYSEARCA: SPY, is now down 8% year-to-date and more than 12% off its 52-week high.

However, there has been a glimmer of relief. After former President Trump announced a 90-day tariff pause for countries that refrained from retaliating against the U.S., the market bounced sharply off its lows. Still, despite the recent rebound, SPY remains in a firm downtrend, and investor sentiment is far from bullish.

With fear and uncertainty dominating the landscape, it’s worth asking: Could the worst-performing S&P 500 stocks now present a deep value opportunity, or are they names to avoid amid ongoing headwinds?

Well, let’s examine the two worst-performing S&P 500 stocks this year and consider what they might offer investors at current levels.

The Worst Performer YTD: Deckers Outdoor Corp.

Deckers Outdoor Today

Deckers Outdoor Co. stock logo
DECKDECK 90-day performance
Deckers Outdoor
$110.85 -0.84 (-0.75%)
As of 03:59 PM Eastern
52-Week Range
$93.72
$223.98
P/E Ratio
17.97
Price Target
$174.55

Deckers NYSE: DECK, the parent company of popular footwear brands like UGG, HOKA, and Teva, was crushed in 2025. It is down approximately 47% year-to-date and over 50% off its 52-week high. A key reason for the sharp decline? Tariffs. The administration’s major tariff on Chinese goods and a reciprocal tariff affecting Vietnam-based production have hammered Deckers, which heavily depends on overseas manufacturing for its HOKA and UGG lines.

Interestingly, the stock beat earnings expectations back in January, posting solid Q3 results. But the market wasn’t convinced. Deckers was trading at elevated valuations, and the geopolitical overhang tied to its supply chain exposure proved too much for investors to ignore.

Still, not all hope is lost. Analysts remain cautiously optimistic. The stock holds a Moderate Buy consensus based on 20 analyst ratings, with a 75% upside forecast from current levels. Raymond James recently upgraded DECK to Strong Buy, highlighting a possible beat for Q4, in-line guidance, and continued long-term strength in the HOKA and UGG brands.

Technically, DECK is struggling below its 20-day simple moving average, which has acted as downtrend resistance. A sustained break above the $120 level could mark a short-term bottom and shift sentiment, especially if tariff policy improves or guidance stabilizes.

The Second-Worst Performer Charles River Laboratories

Charles River Laboratories International Today

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. stock logo
CRLCRL 90-day performance
Charles River Laboratories International
$118.48 +1.19 (+1.01%)
As of 03:59 PM Eastern
52-Week Range
$91.86
$254.15
P/E Ratio
789.87
Price Target
$182.00

Charles River Laboratories NYSE: CRL, a global leader in preclinical drug testing and safety research, has been hit hard, but not by tariffs. Instead, regulatory changes are worrying investors. Shares are down approximately 42% year-to-date and 58% from their 52-week high, trading at their lowest levels since 2020.

The selloff accelerated in April after the FDA announced plans to phase out traditional animal testing for certain drug approvals, favoring new technologies like AI models and organoid systems. That directly threatens CRL’s core business, especially its Discovery and Safety Assessment segment, which relies heavily on animal-based preclinical research.

Following the FDA’s announcement, analysts quickly adjusted. Barclays cut its target from $160 to $145, and Mizuho trimmed its price target to $155. The consensus rating has slipped to Reduce, reflecting the growing uncertainty around CRL’s long-term growth prospects. The stock is now trading far below its 200-day SMA and appears deeply oversold, but due to the potentially fundamental impact of this regulatory shift, it's also in uncharted territory.

Given the uncertainty surrounding the FDA’s regulatory shift, it may be best for investors to hold off on making any decisions until Charles River Laboratories reports its upcoming earnings on May 8. According to the consensus forecast, the company is expected to post an EPS of $2.06 for the quarter, down from $2.27 in the same period last year.

With the full impact of the FDA’s changes still unclear, this earnings call could provide critical guidance and clarity on how the new regulations may affect CRL’s core business moving forward.

Should You Invest $1,000 in Charles River Laboratories International Right Now?

Before you consider Charles River Laboratories International, you'll want to hear this.

MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and Charles River Laboratories International wasn't on the list.

While Charles River Laboratories International currently has a Reduce rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.

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Ryan Hasson
About The Author

Ryan Hasson

Contributing Author

Technical Analysis, Momentum Trading, Risk Management

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Companies Mentioned in This Article

CompanyMarketRank™Current PricePrice ChangeDividend YieldP/E RatioConsensus RatingConsensus Price Target
Deckers Outdoor (DECK)
4.7068 of 5 stars
$110.85-0.8%N/A17.97Moderate Buy$174.55
Charles River Laboratories International (CRL)
4.8194 of 5 stars
$118.48+1.0%N/A789.87Reduce$182.00
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