Basic Industrials, Technology, Energy Expected To Be Stars

With operating earnings per share (EPS) posting better than 30% increases from 1999, such basic industries and metals and chemicals, technology firms, and energy companies are expected to be the year 2000's star performers. The energy sector will be up 36% in operating EPS, technology 35%, and basic industries 34%, predicts Merrill Lynch & Co., New York. In 2001 basic industries are forecast to post only a 10% increase in operating EPS from this year. And while that's less than half the 21% gain expected for technology firms, it matches the 10% anticipated for capital goods and it's four times better than the 3% decline in operating EPS forecast for energy companies.