Local stocks experienced tough year, losing value

2018 was a bruising year for local stocks.

Each of the seven largest publicly traded companies in the Inland Northwest experienced sharp declines in stock prices, mirroring national trends that saw stocks turn in their worst performance since 2008.

Clearwater Paper Corp. lost about half of its share value – starting the year at $48.40 per share and ending at $24.37 per share – as the company looked for new sales to replace lost business from a major customer cutting back on private-label tissue purchases.

Hecla Mining Co.’s stock dropped 41.7 percent from $4.05 per share to $2.36 per share over the course of the year.

PotlatchDeltic Corp.’s stock dropped 37 percent from $50.10 per share to $31.64 per share.

Itron Inc.’s stock dropped 32.6 percent from $70.20 per share to $47.29.

Key Tronic Corp.’s stock dropped about 21 percent. Stock prices for Jan. 1 weren’t immediately available, but Yahoo Finance reported a stock price of $7.14 per share on Jan. 15 and a year-end close at $5.65 per share.

Avista Corp. stock dropped 18 percent from $51.79 per share to $42.48.

W.T.B. Financial Corp., the holding company for Washington Trust Bank, reported the smallest loss at 10.8 percent. The stock started the year at $353 per share and dropped to $314.85.