STOCK GROUP WINNERS & LOSERS

Best- and worst-performing industries and companies in each group, with closing stock price, for the week ended Oct. 12. Only stocks trading for $1 or higher are included.

BEST PERFORMERS

1) Utilities, electric +0.7% Public Serv. N.H. (2 1/4) +12.5%

2) Freight, shipping -0.2% Cannon Express (4 7/8) +8.3%

3) Communications -1.2% Vertex Comm. (5) +11.1%

4) Aerospace -1.8% Hudson General (13) 4.0%

5) Food production -2.0% Orange-co Inc. (6 3/4) +28.6%

6) Food, confectioners -2.0% A & W Brands Inc. (25) +7.5%

7) Drug manufacturers -2.2% Viratek Inc. (2 7/8) +43.8%

8) Food, packaged goods -2.4% Vie De France (1 1/8) +12.5%

9) Utilities, gas/others -2.4% Southwest Water (16) +4.9%

10) Textiles, apparel -2.4% Sanmark-Star. (1 3/8) +10.0%

WORST PERFORMERS

1) Metals, nonferrous/coal -9.8% Amax Inc. (18 1/2) -17.8%

2) Broadcasting -9.5% Price Comm. (1 3/8) -26.7%

3) Building, heavy const. -8.8% Software Tool. (2 3/8) -53.7%

4) Tobacco -6.9% Standard Comm. (8 5/8) -14.8%

5) Business, data processing -6.9% Information Disp. (1 5/8) -43.5%

6) Metals, rare -6.9% Northgate Explor. (2 7/8) -23.3%

7) Business services -6.6% Nestor Inc. (1 1/2) -36.8%

8) Precision instruments -6.6% Base Ten (1 1/4) -28.6%

9) Publishing -6.3% Harcourt Brace (1) -20.0%

10) Retail, apparel -6.3% J. Baker Inc. (4 7/8) -33.9%

Source: Media General Financial Services