Despite all the puts and takes of last year’s tax reform bill and ongoing restructuring charges, industry profits for the final quarter of 2018 were essentially unchanged at $1,735.3 million compared to $1,782.5 million as sales rose to $46,532.4 million from $43,234.1 million. Return on Sales overall slipped slightly to 3.8% from 4.0%, with a turnaround in the apparel sector and big gains in the retail sector partially offset by a decline in the equipment sector that was highlighted by a major impairment charge at Vista Outdoor.

These are the results of our quarterly survey of 53 global public companies which ... Log in to view full article.