Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-05
BUSINESS TRENDS
DIFFER WIDELY
Outlook in important Lines
Presents Many Contrasts,
New Survey Shows.

Current indications of the trend in
various divisions of industry and trade
are summarized by the Standard Stat
istics Co.. from its first Of July resume
of the outlook for important lines, as
follows:
Agricultural machinery-The level Of
agricultural purchasing power remains
exceedingly low and market prospects
for leading farm commodities do not
promise an early substantial recovery.
Aircraft-With but few exceptions,
manufacturers operations will remain
generally improbable during the final
six months of 1881. Prospects for the
transport division are somewhat more
favorable.
Apparel-While profit margins will
be distinctly limited in all fields. full
year returns in most instances should
show improvement over last years re-
suits.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS indications are
that dullness will characterize the
motor trade until early Fall. A slightly
greater than seasonal advance may be
experienced in September and October.
Automobile parts-The Summer Is
expected to be a dull period with in
dications of at least a moderate Fall
upturn in activity.
Automobile tires-The absence OF
severe inventory losses. coupled with
widening profit margins (due to lower
material and labor costs) should result
in a markedly better income showing
for the July-December period than was
reported in the comparable 1880
months.
Building-Prospects for the final half
year are not satisfactory, though pos
sibilitieS are favorable for checking the
decline this Fall.
ChemicaJs-Recause of a marked re-
duction In costs, chemical profits in
general should benefit materially from
basic industrial improvement.
Coal-Full year results for the great
majority of companies in both branches
of the industry, will be little, II any
better, than the showing made in 1880.
Copper Outlook Better.
Copper-Current indications favor
improvement in the industry during the
latter half of 1881.
Cotton goods-No substantial i'm
provement in mill earnings is expected
during the last half of 1881. Possible
inventory losses will probably be Of only
moderate proportions.
Electrical equipment-Little more
than seasonal expansion in activity is
expected this Fall.
Fertilizers-Both sales and profits of
preparerS and distributors in the In
dustry will remain at a substantially
lower level than in the similar period
last year.
Food products (other than meat
AS a whole, the food group will be
one of the few this year to report earn
ings in favorable comparison with those
Of 1929.
Household products-The leading
companies manufacturing necessities
will probably show moderately higher
j, earnings in the final six months Of 1881
than were recorded in the like 1880
period.
Lead and zinc-Earnings for both
lead and zinc companies will probably
show little improvement over the un-
satisfactory levels of the Semi-annual
period Just ended.
Leather-The drastic curtailment Of
shoe factory activity in the final quar-.
ter Of 1880 is not likely to be repeated
this year. All factors considered, tan
nerS' deficits probably will be smaller
this year than in 1880.
MISUNDERSTANDING for the usual
Summer dizziness, improvement in the
volume Of both orders and shipments Is
looked for as the year progresses.
Meat packing-The sales stimulus
provided by reduced prices should be-
come increasingly apparent during the
remaining four months Of the packers
fiscal year.
Office equipment-With but few ex-
ceptions, earnings in the remainder OF
1881 will remain at restricted levels.
Paper-The second half Of 1881 holds
forth the prospect Of some relative i'm
provement over the first part Of the
year.
Petroleum-Profits during the final
six months of 1881 will depend upon
the prices in effect. Some strengthen
ing of quotations is probable before the
close of the year.
Radio-Indications are that earnings
Sor both the final six months and the