Among other major sharemarket losers was embattled casino...

Among other major sharemarket losers was embattled casino operator Star Entertainment, which ranked third among the worst-performing stocks on the ASX after its shares more than halved in the past 12 months.

It marks the second financial year running that the casino group – which is awaiting the outcome of a federal inquiry into its Sydney operations – has ranked among the worst performers on the benchmark and Mr Coppleson said he was still steering clear.

“Just too much risk in it,” he said. “I tend to find the worst stock for the financial year stays that way for a lot longer.”

Others are more bullish; Firetrail Investments, L1 Capital and Cooper Investors all retain stakes in the casino operator.

Atlantic Pacific Capital is among the recent entrants into the stock, which the fund began picking up in April at around 43¢ apiece. The shares last traded around 49¢.