A recent study has identified WorldCom, Lucent Technologies, Wachovia, and Rivian Automotive as some of the worst-performing investments of the last century.
The research, highlighted by French business publication Challenges, underscores the severe long-term risks associated with overvalued technology and financial sector bets.
The findings come as global equity markets face renewed pressure.
Microsoft shares have endured a historic rout in June as investors grew wary of heavy capital spending, while a wave of liquidations swept through global technology equities.
Semiconductor manufacturers faced the steepest declines, with selling pressure extending from US exchanges to Asian markets.
The study serves as a stark reminder of the volatility inherent in speculative growth stocks.