There's never a shortage of losers in the stock market. Let's take a closer look at five of this past week's biggest sinkers.

Company

Dec. 14

Weekly Loss

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Ariad Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ARIA)

$18.93

14%

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Deckers Outdoor (DECK 1.23%)

$37.31

13%

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Skyworks Solutions (SWKS 2.08%)

$19.80

13%

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Life Partners Holdings (NASDAQ: LPHI)

$2.71

12%

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Cirrus Logic (CRUS 2.99%)

$25.59

11%

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Source: Barron's.

Ariad Pharmaceuticals stumbled despite receiving Food and Drug Administration approval for its treatment of a rare blood-borne and bone marrow cancer. The problem is that investors were already banking on regulatory approval, and that the FDA is requiring a warning on the label to point out the potential side effects of blood clots and liver toxicity.

Shares of Deckers hit the deck as investors continue to fret about everything from stubbornly high sheepskin prices to shifting fashion trends that are working against the footwear maker.

Wireless-radio producer Skyworks Solutions, audio-chip supplier Cirrus Logic, and other iPhone component suppliers took a hit on reports that Apple (AAPL 0.51%) was slashing iPhone orders on weakening demand. The market has been so bearish on what remains the world's most valuable tech company in recent months. It's only natural to see the suppliers that rose during Apple's ascent to get pinched on the way down.

Life Partners Holdings was Nasdaq's biggest winner two weeks ago, soaring 30% after announcing a quarterly dividend of $0.10 a share. Easy come, easy go. The life settlements pioneer paid it out this past week, and the stock fell by four times the amount of the distribution on the week.

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