S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) shares rose by 7.55% and delivered total gross returns, including dividends, of 11.44% last year.
That's a pleasing overall market return in anyone's language.
But for some stockpickers, it was a hard year.
Investors in the following five ASX All Ordinaries shares endured a teeth-gritting 12 months in 2024.
5 ASX All Ordinaries shares that plunged in value in 2024
Here are the five ASX All Ordinaries companies whose share prices declined the most in 2024.
1. Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR)
ASX All Ordinaries lithium share Liontown was the worst performer of the year in terms of price change.
The Liontown share price fell 67.88% to close at 53 cents on 31 December.
Operationally, last year was a momentous one for Liontown Resources.
In July, it officially transitioned from developer to producer with the first production of spodumene concentrate at its flagship Kathleen Valley Lithium Project in July.
But like all lithium miners, Liontown was negatively impacted by weak commodity prices last year.
2. Patriot Battery Metals Inc. CDI (ASX: PMT)
Patriot is the second lithium share comprising the five biggest losers of the ASX All Ordinaries in 2024.
The Patriot Battery Metals share price fell 63.72% in 2024 to close out the year at 41 cents.
Investors were dismayed when nothing came of discussions with US lithium giant Albemarle Corp (NYSE: ALB) last year. The companies ceased talks in May after spending nine months assessing partnership opportunities for a downstream lithium hydroxide plant for Patriot's Corvette Lithium Project in Canada.
3. Imugene Ltd (ASX: IMU)
ASX All Ordinaries healthcare share Imugene lost 63.64% in 2024 to close out the year at 4 cents.
Some investors feel concerned about Imugene's financial position. The Imugene share price fell 20% on 31 October when the cancer immunotherapy company released its September quarter cash flow report.
The report revealed a significant cash burn that reduced Imugene's cash reserves from about $93 million to $54 million. That left the ASX biotech will only 2.3 more quarters of funding.
4. Star Entertainment Group Ltd (ASX: SGR)
The Star Entertainment share price crashed 63.46% in 2024 to finish at 19 cents on 31 December.
The casino and resorts operator reported a $1.68 billion statutory loss for FY24. Star faced ongoing regulatory scrutiny last year, including a second inquiry into its suitability as a casino licence holder.
5. Wildcat Resources Ltd (ASX: WC8)
Finally, we have a third ASX All Ordinaries lithium share making up the bottom five stocks of the index.
The Wildcat Resources share price tumbled 60% to finish the year at 28 cents.
Regulatory scrutiny, weak commodity prices, and general market volatility impacted the mineral explorer.
In November, Wildcat refuted a news report of raids by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). However, it confirmed that ASIC had previously issued notices requesting documents.
On a brighter note, check out the 5 biggest risers among ASX All Ordinaries shares in 2024.
