For Immediate Release May 6, 2002
Contact: Cristi Allen
callen@decisionanalyst.com
Phone: 817-640-6166

Dallas-Fort Worth – The Decision Analyst U.S. Economic Index for April, based on a nationwide Internet survey conducted the last 10 days of the month, indicates that U.S. economic activity slowed slightly in April, to 111. This is a slight drop from the Index’s March number of 115, which was the highest the Index had been since December 2000. The Index’s slow, steady increase throughout 2002’s first quarter and then a pullback in April is consistent with recent reports that the U.S. economy’s recovery has so far been weak.

Recent volatility in the stock market appears to be a major driver behind the April drop. Consumers also reported decreased business activity at their workplaces and a sharp drop in plans to buy high-ticket products within the next six months.

"Consumers seem to have returned to something of a wait-and-see attitude regarding the stock market and their plans to make major purchases," said Jerry W. Thomas, CEO and President of Decision Analyst. "They don’t seem to be concerned about losing their jobs so much as they are noticing that the stock market isn’t doing well and that unemployment is rising. These factors are negatively affecting their future plans to buy big-ticket items."

Canadian Index Holds Steady

The Decision Analyst Economic Index for Canada dropped as well, with April’s number of 107 marginally smaller than the Index of 109 that held for the Canadian economy in February and March. Canadian consumers reported less corporate hiring and business activities, while all other aspects of the Canadian Index held relatively steady.

The Decision Analyst Economic Index is based on a monthly Internet survey of several thousand households balanced by gender, age, and geography. The survey is conducted over the Internet during the last 10 days of each month, and the index is immediately calculated from nine different economic measurements, using a sophisticated econometric model. The result is a snapshot of current U.S. economic activity, as seen through the eyes of representative consumers. Decision Analyst also conducts similar economic research in Canada, the U.K., Germany, France, Italy, and Australia.

Whenever the Decision Analyst Economic Index is greater than 110, it tends to signal an expanding economy. An index of 100 to 110 suggests a stagnant economy, and an index below 100 generally indicates economic contraction. These guidelines vary by country, however.

For additional information contact:
Cristi Allen
Publicity
Email: callen@decisionanalyst.com
Phone: 1.800.ANALYSIS (262.5974)
Address: 604 Avenue H East
Arlington, TX 76011

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