Top 10 riskiest industries for investors

Independent appliance repair shops face stiff competition from large retailers such as Home Depot that offer warranties for repair services. Appliances are also being made better so they last longer, reducing the need for repairs. With a risk score of 7.17, IBIS projects this industry’s revenue will fall an annualized 1.5% to $3.4 billion through 2018.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

The leather tanning and finishing industry saw demand slump during the recession, but sales are rising as the economy has recovered. Nonetheless, the domestic market faces competition from overseas leather goods makers. IBIS gave this industry a risk score of 6.65 and projects revenue in this industry to fall to $1.7 billion through 2018.  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

Fuel dealers sell heating oil, propane and other products directly to users. These products depend on ever-volatile crude oil prices, however, and IBIS gave this industry a risk score of 6.54. It projects revenue to rise at an annualized 2.2% through 2018 to $51.3 billion.   (James Mason / Associated Press)

New regulation following the recession has increased operating costs for commercial bankers, which offer products that include pre-paid debit cards, microloans and other services. IBIS assigned commercial banking a risk score of 6.33. Despite volatility, the firm projects revenue to rise at an annualized 7.4% through 2018 to $725 billion.  (Nick Ut / Associated Press)

This industry has seen rising prices for raw materials such as steel and plastic. Manufacturers have increased prices, but sales have been weak as consumer demand slowly rebounds. IBIS assigned this industry a risk score of 6.25. The housing recovering, however, is lending an assist for its future prospects. The firm projects revenue to rise to $17.7 billion by 2018 -- an annual growth rate of 2.8%   (Rogelio V. Solis / Associated Press)

Industry schools are facing competition from universities and community colleges as students seek degrees to boost job prospects in the competitive job market. IBIS gave this industry a risk score of 6.16 and estimates its revenues to decline by 5.6% yearly to $2 billion in 2018.   (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Gasoline and petroleum has always been a volatile industry. IBIS gave this sector a risk score of 6.05, but projects revenue to grow at an annual rate of 2.5% to $439.5 billion in 2018.   (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images)