Show BUSINESS and end the STOCK MARKET by Ily BABSON'S REPORTS Copyright 1972 1973 THE OUTDOOR LEISURE MARKET Outlays for leisure activities have been expanding swiftly during recent years Estimates place such spending at billion for 1972 as compared with only 58 billion in 1965 In addition to the fact that Americans are arc energetic in their play playas as well as in their work there are arc a number of factors responsible responsible sible for the burgeoning of the leisure market in all parts of the country Personal income for example has advanced almost 50 percent in the past five years This has occurred at the same time the workweek was shrinking for an increasingly large segment of the populace More than 40 millon workers arc are now entitled to vacations of three weeks Increased spending on leisure activities has also been fostered by long weekends more holidays and the trend toward a four-day four workweek Another development is the improvement improvement improve improve- ment in pe pension sion plans and social security security security rity benefits enabling more employ employees es esto to retire at an earlier age Favorite Leisure Activities Outdoor activities favored by the US U.S. population aged nine and up are aro reported reported re reo re- re ported by the U U. S S. S Bureau of Outdoor Recreation Figures reveal that the greatest share of our people enjoy picnicking pic pie nicking 49 percent and swimming 46 percent On down the list in terms of general popularity arc are participation in outdoor sports 36 percent attendIng attending attending attend attend- ing sports events 35 percent fishing 29 percent boating 24 percent bicycling bicycling bi bi- bi cycling 22 percent and camping 21 percent Also gaining favor are arc nature walks hunting horseback riding wildlife wildlife wild wild- life photography and bird watching Over recent years there has been a definite trend toward back to nature types of recreation One reflection of this is the enormous increase in the number of oC p people ople visiting our national parks The National Park Service this year anticipate a shattering record-shattering million visitors Further evidence of mounting interest in the outdoors is the boom in production and sales of f camping camping camp camp- ing vehicles of all sorts At the present time it is estimated that there are arc four million camping vehicles in this country country coun try ranging all an the way from tent trailers to motor homes ranging as high as If projections prove to be correct the number of camping vehicles ve ye- hides in the United States will have risen to 75 million by 1978 Commercial Value Involved There is no question but that outdoor recreation is becoming increasingly important important im to the nations nation's economy economy Spending Spend ing on all types of goods and services related to outdoor recreation is taking a steadily larger portion of the consumer consumer con con- sumer budget and this appears d destined to continue indefinitely As Ai a matter of oC fact responsible estimates indicate that outlays for time leisure activities activities ac will more than double during the decade of oC the American business is keenly aware of oC the growing economic impact of the leisure market CO Companies s currently engaged in manufacturing and market marketing ing recreational products are numerous and more may be expected to join john the parade as the potential increases Firms In Leisure Field At present the Research Department of Babson's Reports recommends two leisure time issues for purchase First is Igloo Corporation common stock traded on the American Stock Exchange The firm is a major producer of plastic picnic chests and metal and plastic beverage coolers For the current year car earnings are likely to surpass a ashare ashare share as compared with in 1971 and 62 63 cents in 1970 Second is Outdoor Sports Industries common stock also traded on th the he Amer ican Exchange This company is favored favor lavor ed because of its lis growing gro role as a manufacturer of 01 horse riding equipment camping and hiking goods and sailing and marine equipment Aided by acquisitions ac company should be able to chalk chalk up up year full 1972 results well above the Uie 73 cents a share reported for last year |