The Pharmacy Services Industry has historically been viewed as a safe haven for investors seeking steady growth and preservation of capital. However, things have changed a bit in recent times, owing to the aging of the American population and an altered industry landscape. These stocks now have more of a growth profile than they had in the past. There is much opportunity for expansion, with billions of dollars in business up for grabs. But there is also greater competition, coming from every direction, as even non-traditional channels are looking to get in on the act.
Retailers differ from industrial companies in that they do not produce tangible products. They purchase merchandise from manufacturers in large quantities for resale to consumers at a profit. The domestic Retail Store industry is mature and highly competitive. These companies must provide desirable products, while managing inventory and controlling costs, to succeed. From an investment perspective, the sector generally tracks the broader stock market, on average. Some retail stocks can be volatile, though, making them best suited for short-term accounts. However, there are a few well-established companies suitable for the conservative investors.
The companies that make up the Chemical/Diversified group are largely intermediate producers of a broad array of chemicals and industrial gases. Their products are mostly used as raw materials by manufacturing industries. Chemical/Diversified stocks are more commonly characterized as growth-and-income holdings, and are generally suited to investors seeking broad exposure to the manufacturing sector of the economy.
The Property/Casualty Insurance Industry differs from many other sectors under Value Line coverage. The income, balance sheet and cash flow statements are unique, relative to those of the average industrial company. This article discusses the operating measures and characteristics of, and provide investment guidance for, the P/C group.
The Securities Brokerage Industry is cyclical and comprised of two distinct types of businesses. Brokerages, also known as financial services companies, strive to meet the investing needs of their clients, and exchanges facilitate securities trading. Net profits correlate to the performance of the broader equity market. Some hold up better than their peers during bear markets.
Within the global Telecommunications Services Industry, investors will find equity selections for income, growth and income, and growth. Also, speculative opportunities arise, during periods of merger and acquisition activity. Major business segments include wireline, wireless, broadband and enterprise services. The industry has a history of regulation. In recent years, deregulation has been in vogue, but telecom authorities still make their presence known, from time to time.
The Telecommunications Equipment Industry produces technologies and services that are used to facilitate people's communication. Major products include cell phones, chipsets, wireless and landline infrastructure equipment, digital subscriber-line (DSL) and cable modems, and networking devices, such as routers and switches. The industry's customer base is highly diversified, including multi-national corporations, telephone companies, governments, universities, institutions, commercial businesses and consumers. Though spending on telecom equipment is generally considered non-discretionary, many customers will delay plans to upgrade/expand their telecom systems or purchase products during an economic downturn.
The Shoe Industry consists of a multitude of footwear manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers. The major wholesalers in the U.S. market are owners of a brand name and typically source their shoes from independent manufacturers. The retail segment of the industry ranges from owners of large multinational chains to small local businesses. Many shoe companies operate in both the retail and wholesale arenas. Shoe companies covered by Value Line generally adhere to the standard industrial page format.
The Semiconductor Capital Equipment Industry manufactures and markets machines used in the production of electronic devices. Equipment is classified as either front-end or back-end. Front-end involves silicon wafer fabrication and other various functions, such as photolithography, deposition, etching, cleaning, ion implantation, and chemical & mechanical polishing. Back-end encompasses the assembly, packaging and testing of integrated circuits. The front-end segment accounts for roughly 70% of industry sales, with the back-end making up the balance. Volatile Semiconductor Capital Equipment stocks are well suited to aggressive investors looking to gain on industry upswings.
The Retail Automotive Industry is comprised of two kinds of companies: those that sell replacement automotive parts and accessories to "do-it-yourself" customers and to commercial "do-it-for-me" clients; and those that sell a wide assortment of new and used vehicles over the Internet and networks of regional or national franchised dealerships.
|
Industry Analysis: Pharmacy Services
The Pharmacy Services Industry has historically been viewed as a safe haven for investors seeking steady growth and preservation of capital. However, things have changed a bit in recent times, owing to the aging of the American population and an altered industry landscape. These stocks now have more of a growth profile than they had in the past. There is much opportunity for expansion, with billions of dollars in business up for grabs. But there is also greater competition, coming from every direction, as even non-traditional channels are looking to get in on the act.
Industry Analysis: Retail Store
Retailers differ from industrial companies in that they do not produce tangible products. They purchase merchandise from manufacturers in large quantities for resale to consumers at a profit. The domestic Retail Store industry is mature and highly competitive. These companies must provide desirable products, while managing inventory and controlling costs, to succeed. From an investment perspective, the sector generally tracks the broader stock market, on average. Some retail stocks can be volatile, though, making them best suited for short-term accounts. However, there are a few well-established companies suitable for the conservative investors.
Industry Analysis: Diversified Chemicals
The companies that make up the Chemical/Diversified group are largely intermediate producers of a broad array of chemicals and industrial gases. Their products are mostly used as raw materials by manufacturing industries. Chemical/Diversified stocks are more commonly characterized as growth-and-income holdings, and are generally suited to investors seeking broad exposure to the manufacturing sector of the economy.
Industry Analysis: Insurance (Property and Casualty)
The Property/Casualty Insurance Industry differs from many other sectors under Value Line coverage. The income, balance sheet and cash flow statements are unique, relative to those of the average industrial company. This article discusses the operating measures and characteristics of, and provide investment guidance for, the P/C group.
Industry Analysis: Securities Brokerage
The Securities Brokerage Industry is cyclical and comprised of two distinct types of businesses. Brokerages, also known as financial services companies, strive to meet the investing needs of their clients, and exchanges facilitate securities trading. Net profits correlate to the performance of the broader equity market. Some hold up better than their peers during bear markets.
Industry Analysis: Telecom Services
Within the global Telecommunications Services Industry, investors will find equity selections for income, growth and income, and growth. Also, speculative opportunities arise, during periods of merger and acquisition activity. Major business segments include wireline, wireless, broadband and enterprise services. The industry has a history of regulation. In recent years, deregulation has been in vogue, but telecom authorities still make their presence known, from time to time.
Industry Analysis: Telecom Equipment
The Telecommunications Equipment Industry produces technologies and services that are used to facilitate people's communication. Major products include cell phones, chipsets, wireless and landline infrastructure equipment, digital subscriber-line (DSL) and cable modems, and networking devices, such as routers and switches. The industry's customer base is highly diversified, including multi-national corporations, telephone companies, governments, universities, institutions, commercial businesses and consumers. Though spending on telecom equipment is generally considered non-discretionary, many customers will delay plans to upgrade/expand their telecom systems or purchase products during an economic downturn.
Industry Analysis: Shoe
The Shoe Industry consists of a multitude of footwear manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers. The major wholesalers in the U.S. market are owners of a brand name and typically source their shoes from independent manufacturers. The retail segment of the industry ranges from owners of large multinational chains to small local businesses. Many shoe companies operate in both the retail and wholesale arenas. Shoe companies covered by Value Line generally adhere to the standard industrial page format.
Industry Analysis: Semiconductor Capital Equipment
The Semiconductor Capital Equipment Industry manufactures and markets machines used in the production of electronic devices. Equipment is classified as either front-end or back-end. Front-end involves silicon wafer fabrication and other various functions, such as photolithography, deposition, etching, cleaning, ion implantation, and chemical & mechanical polishing. Back-end encompasses the assembly, packaging and testing of integrated circuits. The front-end segment accounts for roughly 70% of industry sales, with the back-end making up the balance. Volatile Semiconductor Capital Equipment stocks are well suited to aggressive investors looking to gain on industry upswings.
Industry Analysis: Retail Automotive
The Retail Automotive Industry is comprised of two kinds of companies: those that sell replacement automotive parts and accessories to "do-it-yourself" customers and to commercial "do-it-for-me" clients; and those that sell a wide assortment of new and used vehicles over the Internet and networks of regional or national franchised dealerships.