The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) gained 4.2% in July, but not all ASX 200 stocks joined in the rally.
Below, we look at three of the benchmark index's worst-performing stocks in terms of share price performance over the past month.
Three ASX 200 stocks taking a tumble in July
The third-worst ASX 200 stock on our list for July is Tabcorp Holdings Ltd (ASX: TAH).
Shares in the gambling company closed out June trading for 70 cents. On 31 July, the Tabcorp share price ended the day at 65 cents. That saw the stocks down 7.1% over the month.
The last price-sensitive news from the company was released in June. So, most of the selling in July looks to be in line with the past year's downward trend.
Despite a 0.8% rise today, the Tabcorp share price is now down almost 39.5% over the past 12 months.
Moving on to the second-worst ASX 200 stock performer in July, we have Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG).
The mining giant closed out June trading for $21.41 a share. Fortescue shares closed out July changing hands at $18.87, down 11.9% for the month.
Fortescue faced a number of tailwinds over the month, including seeing the iron ore price slide below US$100 per tonne towards the end of July.
On a company specific level, the miner received more negative publicity during the month relating to allegations it had hired private investigators to spy on former employees and their families. The Federal Court heard more details from both sides in July.
On 25 July, the ASX 200 stock closed down 5.5% after releasing its quarterly update. That fall came despite the miner reporting record quarterly iron ore shipments of 53.7 million tonnes, up 10% quarter on quarter.
And looking ahead to FY 2025, Fortescue forecasts record shipments with guidance of 190 million to 200 million tonnes.
The worst day of the month for shareholders arrived on 30 July, a day that saw Fortescue shares close down 10.2%. That big sell-off came following news that $1.9 billion worth of shares had just been sold at a significant discount to the prior closing price.
Which brings us to the worst-performing ASX 200 stock in July: South32 Ltd (ASX: S32).
The South32 share price closed June at $3.66 and finished July at $3.07, down 16.1% over the month.
Most of that pain came on 22 July, when South32 shares ended the day 12.6% lower.
That was the day the miner reported on its quarterly results. The quarter itself was solid, with South32 reporting copper production of 15,300 tonnes, up 10% from the prior quarter.
But investors were quick to punish the ASX 200 stock after management downgraded its production guidance for FY 2025.
