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Stocks in the machinery industry are not expected to be timely in 1999, as demand for these products should ease in the US during the year. The Asian and Pacific Rim economies have not yet begun to recover, and Brazil's economy is weakening, but this is not expected to influence the industry as European markets seem to be doing well. There are a number of good stocks in this industry but investors need to be selective.

Machinery sales will be slower in 1995 and 1996 than in 1994, but will still grow substantially, especially in pulp and paper, chemical, aerospace and light truck markets. With the benefits of cost reduction already played out, the industry's profit growth will slow. Machinery industry investors are advised to concentrate on companies that are building domestic market share, are active abroad (especially in Europe) and are diversifying.

The machinery industry is doing well in Nov 1994, with such areas as trucking construction and farming machinery excelling. However, such areas as government markets, pulp and paper and the chemical industry are still in the doldrums. Many manufacturers are benefitted from streamlining their operations during the recession and are competing more efficiently with foreign firms, as a result.

The machinery industry is expected to experience modest growth in the US and strong growth in Europe and Asia. Domestic expansion is being aided by a sustained economic recovery and demand for products such as diesel engines, industrial fasteners and materials handling equipment. The industry's European prospects appear to be favorable as the economy of the region continues to improve. The machinery industry's Far East prospects appear to be the most favorable because of the strong economic growth in the region.

The outlook for the machinery industry in 1994 is good. However, growth in the heavy-duty truck sector may decline from its current 34% to about 10%, but the growth in the medium- and light-duty truck sector should top that. In spite of the industry's historically high levels of production, the industry is continuing its cost-cutting measures, which should improve company finances. The German economy shows some signs of recover, but the Japanese economy may not be as quick to recover as once thought. The machinery industry has a major portion of its business in these two countries.

The turnaround in the US economy should benefit the US machinery stocks and foreign machinery stocks tied to the US economy. Best positioned US companies include Tecumseh Products, Nordson, Donaldson, Cummins Engine and Briggs and Stratton. If voted in, an economic stimulus package in Japan could help Graco Inc, Keystone International and Baldwin Technology. Cummins Engine looks favorable in the long term, largely because of investment in China.

The forecast for machinery industry stocks from 1993 through 1996 or 1998 looks good. While polls continue to rank consumer confidence as weak, cheaper financing is causing an upturn in the sales of cars, trucks and housing. This upturn is causing an increase in orders for the machinery needed to build these products. However, the forecast for European and Japanese machinery companies is still cautious. The weaker dollar is has some US companies in Europe cutting staff and Japanese economic growth remains slow, but may get better by early 1994.

Riding stronger results across product segments,-Stewart & Stevenson Services Inc. announced a jump in revenue and earnings for the second quarter. For the Houston-based industrial manufacturer's fiscal second quarter ended [...]

STEWART & STEVENSON SERVICES INC. Fiscal 1st Qtr. ended April 28 2001 April 29 2000 revenue in 1,000s 341,521 261,113 net income (loss) in 1,000s 7,498 20,333 per share .71 [...]

Stewart and Stevenson Services Inc. has announced the resignation of its president and chief executive officer Michael Grimes. Stewart and Stevenson, which is a truck maker, has been plagued by financial problems.

Stewart and Stevenson Services Inc. is not expected to post much improvement in 203 but consolidation may support the bottom line. It has secured a new $2 billion multiyear supply with the Pentagon giving aggressive investors price appreciation to 2006-2008.

Stewart & Stevenson Services Inc. revised its financial statement for the fourth quarter of 2002 to show a new operating loss. The company's airline products division took a deduction of $5 million, which resulted in a loss of 18 cents a share.

Earnings iDIAL NETWORKS INC. 3rd Qtr. ended Sept.30 2001 2000 revenue in 1,000s 1,733 135 net income (loss) in 1,000s (101) (3,430) per share - - STEWART & STEVENSON SERVICES [...]