Why is Astec Lifescienc falling/rising?

As of 22-Jul, Astec Lifesciences Ltd is currently priced at 907.55, reflecting a decrease of 2.5 points or 0.27%. The stock has shown a performance today that is inline with its sector, having reached an intraday high of Rs 933.55, which is a 2.58% increase. However, the stock's recent performance has been lackluster, with a 1-week return of -1.57% and a year-to-date decline of -9.70%. The company has faced significant challenges, including a negative operating cash flow and a substantial drop in net sales, which has contributed to its weak long-term fundamentals. The stock's high Debt to EBITDA ratio and consistent underperformance against benchmarks over the past three years further exacerbate its declining price movement.
In the broader market context, while the Sensex has shown a slight decline of 0.47% over the past week, Astec Lifesciences has underperformed significantly with its 1-year return of -30.00% compared to the benchmark's positive return of 2.09%. This consistent underperformance highlights the stock's struggles in attracting investor confidence, especially given the falling investor participation and the negative trends in its financial performance. The stock's liquidity remains adequate for trading, but the overall sentiment is affected by its weak fundamentals and the negative trajectory of its operating profits, leading to a cautious outlook among investors.