Similar to wise buying decisions, exiting certain underperformers at the right time helps maximize portfolio returns. Selling off losers can be difficult, but if both the share price and estimates are falling, it could be time to get rid of the security before more losses hit your portfolio.

One such stock that you may want to consider dropping is WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (WCG), which has witnessed a significant price decline in the past four weeks, and it has seen negative earnings estimate revisions for the current quarter and the current year. A Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) further confirms weakness in WCG.

A key reason for this move has been the negative trend in earnings estimate revisions. For the full year, we have seen 12 estimates moving down in the past 30 days, compared with no upward revision. This trend has caused the consensus estimate to trend lower, going from $5.13 a share a month ago to its current level of $4.04 cents.

Also, for the current quarter, WellCare has seen 11 downward estimate revisions versus no revision in the opposite direction, dragging the consensus estimate down to 5 cents a share from 59 cents over the past 30 days.   

The stock also has seen some pretty dismal trading lately, as the share price has dropped 12.9% in the past month.

So it may not be a good decision to keep this stock in your portfolio anymore, at least if you don’t have a long time horizon to wait.

If you are still interested in the medical sector, you may instead consider some better-ranked stocks including Aetna Inc. (AET), Actavis plc (ACT) and Actelion Ltd. (ALIOF). All these stocks hold a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) and may be better selections at this time.

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ACTAVIS PLC (ACT): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
AETNA INC-NEW (AET): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
ACTELION LTD (ALIOF): Get Free Report
 
WELLCARE HEALTH (WCG): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
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