The Least Profitable Industries for the Next Three Years

Posted 6:29 AM 10/08/10 , , ,
Comments Print Text Size A A A Email This
Hog farming, a least profitable industry
While economists have said the U.S. has actually emerged from its recession, IBISWorld Research has identified four industries that will likely be mired in recession-like conditions over the next three years. Unfortunately, not all industries can be as profitable as IBIS's picks on the positive side.

Hog and Pig Farming – It will be even tougher for those who raise pigs for a living to bring home the bacon in the future. With healthy eating trends lowering demand, swine flu scares and ever-increasing costs for feed, the industry expects a 5% loss in profits over the next three years.

Boat Building – An expected 9.5% loss in profits scuttles any thoughts this industry had about smooth sailing coming out of the recession. Lower demand for a high-maintenance luxury items like yachts is the primary culprit.







Hay and Other Crop Farming
– Bad weather, including flooding and other natural disasters have made all types of farming a risky proposition over the last year. The industry expects a 5.3% loss in profits as the cost of equipment and seed continue to rise.

Postal Services – It appears mail carriers aren't getting bitten only by dogs lately but also by new technology and labor issues. The U.S. Postal Service continues to lose revenues as more people turn to email instead of stamps to deliver information. USPS controls 100% of this market and expects a 5% loss in revenues as it continues to try and rein in rising pension obligations and other operational costs.
Print Email This
Matthew Scott

Matthew Scott

View all Articles »
Markets and Investing Writer

Matthew Scott is a markets and investing writer for DailyFinance. He spent 13 years covering investment and business news as managing editor and personal finance editor of Black Enterprise magazine. He has written columns for the AOL Black Voices Money Talks blog and recently covered corporate finance, real estate, and commodities as online reporter for Financial Week. He has won or shared awards from the Society of American Business Editors and Writers, American Business Media, the National Association of Black Journalists and Folio Awards for Editorial Excellence.

Read More
SUBSCRIBE TO:
RSS

Add Your Comment

I Hate It When They Do That!

Stores will try anything to get you to buy more. What retail tricks do you find most annoying? We're collecting submissions for an upcoming article.

Please share your ideas!
Follow Us
Follow Our Writers
Pallavi Gogoi Financial Writer
Peter Cohan Financial Columnist
Sarah Gilbert Features Writer
Gene Marcial Financial Columnist
Jeff Bercovici Media Columnist
James Altucher Financial Columnist
Mercedes M. Cardona Retail Reporter
Nikhil Hutheesing Assistant Managing Editor
Latif Lewis Business News Editor
More Writers

Headlines From DailyFinance Partners

CNBC
Smart Money
Huffington Post
Luxist
Business NewsWhat's HotInvesting and Real EstatePersonal Finance at WalletPopOur Partners

Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Trademarks | HELP | Advertise With Us

© 2010 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved