(ShareCast News) - After Next's weak festive trading statement and profit downgrade, analysts at RBC Capital Markets predicted the shares will keep pace with the rest of the clothing retail sector, but said investors should rotate into Primark owner Associated British Foods.RBC said consensus profit forecasts would probably fall by a high single-digit rate but kept its rating on the shares at 'sector perform'.For the period between 1 November and 24 December, Next sales fell 0.4% and it said full-year profit before tax would be around £792m, 2% lower than its previous guidance.Guidance for the next year was very cautious with sales expected to change by -3.5 to +2.5% compared to RBC's -1% to +3% forecast, and PBT expected to be in the range of £680-780m versus the broker's £798m estimate.The rating was held as RBC said although it sees potential for further cost savings in warehouse and labour costs, Next remains "exposed to potential volume disappointments next year owing to price rises and as the competition has largely caught up online, plus we see a risk of further margin pressure owing to higher discounting".In the UK apparel sector RBC analysts expressed a preference for ABF, as they expect a gradual improvement in sentiment for its fast-fashion chain as sales improve.ABF shares' valuation at 25 times calendar-2017 earnings was seen as "much more attractive" than at the start of 2016, with the implied valuation for Primark de-rating sharply last year, "which we think gives investors an opportunity to buy into a relatively scarce, international rollout story"."We view Primark as a best-in-class discounter with a buying and pricing advantage, high sales densities and an attractive in-store environment and level of fashionability given its extremely low price points."