Show Si BUSINESS and the tha STOCK MARKET by BABSON'S REPORTS ISIS TEXTILE STOCKS DUE FOR NEW INTEREST Certain groups of stocks traditionally tend to advance and fall ahead of the overall market One of these the is textile securities Assuming this characteristic again asserts itself textile stocks before before be be- fore too long may become good purchases purchases pur pur- chases for to term capital gains Despite its current problems lems leme the textile business still has attractive attractive at at- potential in many markets such usage and carpeting and upholstery for all types of transportation vehicles In 1969 the top 15 U. U S. S publicly owned textile corporations experienced a record business year Combined sales managed to hit billion an increase of 71 per cent over the 1968 level Net earnings however were cut into by capital improvement expenditures and widening import problems Textiles For Clothing Recent studies indicate rapid changes changes chan chan- gps in population with the 30 25 age group expected to increase e some 60 per cent or more over the next few years This should hould be stimulating stimulating stirn for the fashion business since people in that age bracket are highly clothes But a as the maior major mills enjoy an broad brnad product pro pro- duet duct mix it should be b noted that cu currently cur apparel comprises less than 50 per cent of all large mill production Home And Office Furnishings There are many other bright spots in tho Ih textile picture For example knitted knitted knit knit- ted td tufted or woven textiles for the th home are growing crowing at the rate of 15 to tn o 70 Xi m pre pei- cent a year Most Mod diversified t tactile firms are particularly aware of the Ih value of nf sophisticated marketing and sep seek steadily stronger consumer outlets for furnishing home items such as sheets pillowcases h hr hod d spreads towels linens decorative fabrics fabrics fab fab- and The outlook for these lines is I. especially promising l because f of q new family formations and still stil high incomes In Tn industrial and commercial buildings build build- ings Inq wall wall-to-wall carpeting is becoming a commonplace in new construction as w 11 ll as hoing heing used to tn cover surfaces which had hor cleaning and huffing Carpeting gives a look of greater richness and beauty and over nver th tha years It H Is Iq loss Iqs expensive to maintain maintain main main- tain loin than hard floors Another expanding expand In inc ing I sal sales s area arpa I to ii provision of modern and stylish interiors for autos planes trains buses and other vehicles Profitable Specialty Markets The development of specialty products is I. a factor worth watching in textiles Today textile manufacturers sample an average of 30 20 fabric structures each week Emergence of better products from this research will be th the tha bt best st stan an answer over the longer term to the grinding competition from foreign products pro pro- ducts When considering this thi significant industry one must not think only of new materials but also of other related growth fields such as coated fabrics Relief Pelle From Competition The rapidity and degree of the textile textile tex tex- tile industry's revitalization depend on the outcome of the fight to impose some form of restraint on foreign goods At this writing the issue Is still In doubt but of all the beleaguered domestic Industries industries in In- textiles seem best situated to gain at least temporary relief from low low- cost cast foreign products Such uch assistance would give our companies time to get Jet out of lines most vulnerable to foreign foreign for for- eign rivalry to upgrade and streamline productive facilities and to move into more profitable markets The Research Staff of Babson's Baboons Reports Reports Re Re- ports feels that Burlington Industries will willbe willbe willbe be one of the leaders when the up upp trend is re reestablished It h has a s worldwide contacts the reputation and know-how know the capital to become a true international giant Hence Babson's Re Re- |