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The refocus of core business sectors has allowed many household products companies to improve results in the year 2002. Another key has been the growth of profit margins in the industry. Many of these stocks are timely for investors in the year 2002.

The top- and bottom-lines of the household products industry have grown in the years 2001 and 2002. The foreign exchange situation is also having an effect on the industry in various parts of the world. Most of these stocks are timely, but investors need to be selective.

The household products industry provides defensive holdings for investors, due to its diverse nature. Profit margins, foreign currency problems, and luxury items all, however, are influential in its operations. These stocks are only average investments for the years 2002 and 2003.

Revenues and earnings for the US household products industry are expected to remain low as the industry has matured. Many companies have streamlined operations, but weak foreign exchange rates have affected income. Investors need to be selective in evaluating these stocks.

Profits in the household products industry in 2001 have been achieved mainly through restructuring and cost cutting, as foreign currency exchange has hurt the industry. There have been a number of divestitures and acquisitions, and several companies are selling private label brands. Some of these issues would be of interest to conservative investors.

The US household products industry is mature and profits are mainly achieved through a variety of means. Mergers, new products and restructuring, along with several new companies, are the major industry trends in 2001. Investors need to be selective in this fully-priced industry.

Stocks in the household products industry have become less reliable as investments in the late 1990s for a wide variety of factors. Earnings and stock prices have fallen short of expectations of analysts and investors as a result of this. Investors need to be selective when assessing individual shares.

The household products industry spent much of the year 1999 restructuring and integrating the acquisitions many companies made during the industry consolidation throughout the year. However, the strong dollar and volatile foreign markets will present challenges to the industry during the year 2000, as will the mature US market. These stocks are timely for the year 2000, but investors must be selective in their choices.

The household products industry is mature, overall, but product innovation, brand awareness, and intelligent acquisitions can still spark healthy profit growth. Proctor & Gamble, one of the industry's bellwethers, has entered a sponsorship deal with Yahoo!, in hopes of enhancing brand awareness among younger consumers. Aggressive investors are advised to consider Oneida shares, and Scotts may be suitable for investors looking for three-to-five-year capital appreciation.

The integration of acquired companies and the restructuring of operations for the next century are two of the challenges that the household and consumer products industry faces in 1999. Some of the higher priced stocks in this industry have lost value due to recent interest rate rises and conservative investors may find opportunities here. Good revenues and financial strength could make several of these stocks attractive if interest rates increase, but few have potential for the next three to five years.

Consolidation within the household products industry has continued in early 1999, and further acquisitions are expected for the achievement of economies of scale and simultaneous top-line growth. Distribution of consumer products through mass merchandisers is one of the major industry shifts, but there is concern over the international exposure of several of the larger companies, especially in Brazil. Investors need to make commitments in this industry on an individual basis, and there are few that are ranked to outperform the market in 1999.

The household products industry is expected to perform better than the average for all stocks during 1995. Every year this mature industry brings out many new products, including proliferating variations on older products such as laundry detergents, shampoos and toothpastes. However, retailers' reliance on just-in-time delivery of goods puts pressure on manufacturers to store excess inventory.