Spending on household goods up despite slump

Consumer spending on household goods has continued throughout the bear market, driving up the personal care and household products sector. For the year to 21 October 2002, the sector has gained 13.98%, well ahead of the FTSE All-Share return of -21.85%, and one of only three sectors to make positive returns since the start of the year. The outperformance has been primarily due to gains made by soap and cleaning preparations company Reckitt Benckiser, which has risen by 15% over the period, according to Bloomberg. The company dominates the four-stock sector and is the key means ...