INDUSTRY: Profiting from Misery

As most of the U.S. sweltered last week under the hottest weather since the Dust Bowl days of the mid '30s, the makers and marketers of air conditioners were hoping that the baking temperatures would bake a bit longer. With thermometer readings edging up into triple figures in many parts of the nation, heat-weary Americans rushed in the largest numbers in years to buy air conditioners. In New York and Chicago, sales mounted to double the June rate. On one sizzling day in St. Louis, a Carrier dealer sold out an entire shipment of 300 units before noon.

The heat-wave...

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