These were the 10 worst performing stocks in the S&P 500 in its worst half since 1970

• The S&P 500 suffered its worst half since 1970 after inflation and recession concerns sparked a 20% sell-off.
• The decline has led to big losses for high-profile stocks across various sectors and industries.
• These were the 10 worst performing stocks in the S&P 500 during the first half of the year.

The first half of 2022 was brutal for investors, with the S&P 500 falling more than 20% and notching its worst performance since 1970.

Concerns about high inflation, aggressive rate hikes by the Federal Reserve, and the potential for an economic recession jolted investor sentiment and led to reduced valuations for fast-growing tech stocks that dominated the market over the past two years.

While energy stocks dominated the best performing stocks so far this year, technology and consumer discretionary stocks were on the other end of the spectrum. And the trends already in place could continue throughout the rest of the year as oil prices remain elevated and investors wonder if technology stocks still have the earnings power they had just a few months ago as consumer sentiment weakens.

These were the 10 worst performing stocks in the S&P 500 during the first half of the year, according to data from Koyfin.

10. Royal Caribbean Cruises

Ticker: RCL
Sector: Consumer Discretionary
First-half performance: -54.6%

9. Ceridian HCM Holding

Ticker: CDAY
Sector: Information Technology
First-half performance: -54.9%

8. EPAM Systems

Ticker: EPAM
Sector: Information Technology
First-half performance: -55.9%

7. Carnival Corporation

Ticker: CCL
Sector: Consumer Discretionary
First-half performance: -57.0%

6. Caesar's Entertainment

Ticker: CZR
Sector: Consumer Discretionary
First-half performance: -59.0%

5. Bath & Body Works

Ticker: BBWI
Sector: Consumer Discretionary
First-half performance: -61.1%

4. PayPal Holdings

Ticker: PYPL
Sector: Information Technology
First-half performance: -63.0%

3. Align Technology

Ticker: ALGN
Sector: Healthcare
First-half performance: -64.0%

2. Etsy

Ticker: ETSY
Sector: Consumer Discretionary
First-half performance: -66.6%

1. Netflix

Ticker: NFLX
Sector: Communication Services
First-half performance: -71.0%