The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) has had a disappointing month, falling 2.7% and bringing its total gain for the year down to just 1.5%. However, its losses haven't been as bad as those endured by these four businesses.
The Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG) share price has lost more than a third of its value over the past month, down a total 34%. The majority of that loss came on Wednesday last week when the group announced its decision to commence legal proceedings against My Chemist and Chemist Warehouse Group (MC/CW). Those proceedings related to MC/CW's intentions to acquire certain products from an alternate wholesaler which Sigma believes could impact its earnings (EBIT) by up to $10 million per annum. Ongoing legal costs will also impact earnings.
The Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL) share price has shed 22.4% over the same time. After trading for as much as $9.87 on 4 May, it ended Friday's session at $7.37. Indeed, the retail industry in general has been thrown into disarray in the recent past due to weak consumer spending, numerous earnings downgrades from within the sector, and the pending arrival of U.S. ecommerce juggernaut Amazon.com.
Super Retail Group isn't the only retailer on this list. The Myer Holdings Ltd (ASX: MYR) share price has also plunged 25.4% in the past month with the latest setback coming late last week. Myer is a 20% owner of Austradia, which operates TopShop in Australia (TopShop entered into voluntary administration last week). As a department store operator, the arrival of Amazon.com down under could prove very damaging in the long-run.
The Automotive Holdings Group Ltd (ASX: AHG) share price has lost 20.3% this month, as well. The company, which is a diversified automotive retail and logistics group, announced weakness in the Western Australia new car market (in addition to a weakening east coast market) as well as tighter margins. It's found a way to remove costs from the business which it believes will deliver pre-tax savings of around $10 million per annum, although that will require restructuring costs of around $35 million to achieve.
