2009 went a long way toward healing the wounds that the market meltdown inflicted on stock investors. But even after a rally that's lasted the better part of a year, many are concerned that stocks may be poised for an even bigger fall.
That's one reason we asked our Foolish contributors to make their picks for the worst stock of 2010. They looked at seven candidates and asked Foolish readers to weigh in on which they thought would do the worst this year. Judging from the results, you made it very clear that you thought some of those picks didn't even belong on the list in the first place. Yet two solid candidates from badly hurt industries soared to the top of the balloting -- and the winner didn't need a photo finish to earn its dubious honor.
Yep, we can hear you now
The most controversial pick of the contest was Apple
Readers didn't buy it. By an overwhelming 750-vote margin, Apple fans reasserted the stock's positive prospects for 2010.
Bad, but not worst
With several other picks, readers weren't as emphatically supportive. The phoenix-like recoveries of financials Goldman Sachs
Nevertheless, when asked if those stocks were the worst, a majority of voters still said no. Only two companies had more bearish votes than bullish ones.
There can be only one
Those two stocks put up a strong fight. Fannie Mae
Yet even Fannie Mae couldn't stand up to the perennially struggling Eastman Kodak
Thanks to everyone who participated in our contest. This is your last chance to weigh in -- does Kodak deserve to be worst of the worst, or is there an even worse stock out there? Chime in with a comment below, and may you avoid owning losing stocks in 2010 and beyond!