Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-04
BUSINESS TRENDS
VIEWED BY GROUPS
Outlook in important Lines
Shows Varied Prospects
in Fourth Quarter.

Current indications of the trend In
various divisions of industry and trade
are summarized by the Standard Stats
tics Co., from its first of October resume
of the outlook for important lines, as
follows:
Agriculture neutrality-suspicious.
ers, detrimentally affected by continued
unsettlement in the agricultural COM
modify price situation, are facing an un-
favorable final quarter.
Aircraft-The industry will have to
be reorganized and narrowed down to a
few outstanding strong companies before
any satisfactory Roadway will be in
prospect.
Apparel-1930 earnings of practically
all companies in the group will be much
below those of last year.
Automobiles-It is now fairly certain
that any material increase in retail de-
mand for motor cars is improbable be-
fore next Spring at the earliest.
Automobile partS-Unfavorable sales
prospects for the final quarter point to
6dTIlulRS.
Automobile eS-Consumption de-
mand for the balance of the year does
not promise to be any better than N the
1929 Fall period of drastic decline
BIilding-There is nothing to indicate
material near term improvement in resi-
Dental building or in any other major
division of the Industry.
Chemicals--Prof1tS for the full 1880
year will probably decline from Is per
cent to 20 per cent under those of the
preceding year.
Coal-Earnings of bituminous pro-
ducers for the balance of the 1880 year,
Will leave much to be desired.
Cop2er-Purchases to cover imme-
date needs only. should be made now.
Cotton goods-There is little prospect
OF hlgher profit margins until excess
productive equipment has been drasti-
cally adjusted to the normal needs of
the market
Electrical equipment Earnings of rep
reSentative units for the second half
probably will fall slightly below first
half results.
Better Wheat Prices Seen.
Farm products-Wheat prices should
display more resistance to Weakening
influences. Although corn prices are
unlikely TO rally materially during the
early future, present values should be
largely maintained.
Fertilizers-Prospects are not favora-
bic for the full years volume to equal
that of the past year.
Food products tother than meat)-
considered as a group, the food indus
try IS one OF the few to promise larger
profits this year than last
Household products-Only few pro-
HyfNnrc 81
Lead-EarningS of lead companies
will be decidedly lower in the full year
1890 than in the preceding period
Leather-It Is possible that a few
shoe manufacturers distributing popu-
larly priced merchandise may make
relatively satisfactory showings. Genuine
sustained real improvement in trade
will be deferred until next Spring, at
least.
Meat packing-Present indications
point to the probability that the Big
-Four will enjoy fairly satisfactory re-
suits.
ONCE equipment-ProfitS for most
manufacturers will be restricted during
the nacC future and sustained improve
ment in returns is unlikely until well
into 1881
Paper-Earnings of the leading COM
panies this year, under lowered volume,
probably will approximate the dlSap-
pointing showings of 1929.
Petroleum-The statistical position
of the industry continues the gradual
improvement witnessed during the past
several months
Radio-Earnings as a whole should
show some betterment during the cur
rent half over results experienced dur
ing the earlier months of the year.
Railroads-The persistent reduction
in transportation costs and malnte-
nance outlay will be more in evidence
in the remaining months of 1880 and
provide a firm foundation, although at
greatly reduced level, for distributions
to security holders of interest and divi-
dends.
Railroad equipment-Full year earn
ings will be smaller than those of last
year.
Rayon-Returns for the full 1880 year
in most cases will fall considerably I'M
der those of 1929.