In such an environment, he said, "commodities and basic materials companies will be winners."

Certain technology and materials companies are proving tough competition in overseas markets where growth is fairly robust.

A. The largest growth rate will come from materials companies like metals, paper and chemicals.

That's going to affect the bottom line of the basic materials companies.

"We're a materials company that puts systems together for homes."

But the predictions call for very weak results from energy, commodity and basic materials companies.

Earnings for the diversified chemicals and materials company fell to $8 million from $45 million.

Grace's describes itself as "a premier specialty chemicals and materials company."

A. We should see very strong earnings growth in basic materials companies, the paper, chemical and aluminum stocks.

Energy and raw materials companies should continue their strong performance, he said.