For Immediate Release January 10, 2003
Contact: Cristi Allen
callen@decisionanalyst.com
Phone: 817-640-6166

Dallas-Fort Worth - The U.S. economy lost some of its momentum in December, according to the Decision Analyst U.S. Economic Index. Based on a nationwide Internet survey conducted the last 10 days of the month, the Economic Index dropped to 108 in December.

"The weakness in the economy in late December is related primarily to consumer fears of unemployment and fading confidence in the job market. The unemployment fears in turn reduced buying plans for cars, homes and other expensive goods," said Jerry W. Thomas, President/CEO of Decision Analyst, Inc. "The economy is still expanding, but the pace is anemic."

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.

Decision Analyst is a leading international marketing research and marketing consulting firm specializing in advertising testing, strategy research, new product development, and advanced modeling for marketing decision optimization.

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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