For Immediate Release July 8, 2003
Contact: Cristi Allen
callen@decisionanalyst.com
Phone: 817-640-6166

Arlington, Texas - Decision Analyst, Inc.'s U.S. Economic Index continues to edge away from depressed values according to new June figures. The Index (calculated from a nationwide, online survey conducted during the last 10 days of each month) showed a slight improvement in June, edging up to 109 points. More significantly, the June figure completes a second quarter average more than three points higher than the first quarter.

"The economy is still struggling and growing slowly, but the positive trend of the Decision Analyst Economic Index over the past quarter suggests accelerating economic growth during the second half of the year," said Jerry W. Thomas, President and CEO of Decision Analyst, an international marketing research and marketing consulting firm. "It seems pretty clear now that the economy bottomed out during first quarter uncertainties over the Iraq war."

Among the categories that produce the overall Economic Index, most showed little change. However, those on the move are heading upwards. Confidence in the stock market saw optimism bounce back after a slight decline in May to reach 127 (on its own scale), the highest level reached in the last 12 months. Business activity was also on the rise, reaching the scaled level of 308 (the average for the first six months of this year was just 305).

"It seems like we have been seeing the same things for months now, but uncertainty continues to hold back a number of key indicators," Thomas says. "The international picture remains volatile, especially in Iraq and the Middle East. In addition, there's little sign of the job market improving, and consumer spending shows no signs of impending take-off. However, the economy keeps inching forward and if the stock market confidence can extend to consumers, we should still see accelerating growth in the second half of the year."

Methodology

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 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 concurrent economic surveys in Canada, the U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Mexico and Australia. Whenever the Decision Analyst Economic Index is greater than 110, it tends to signal an expanding economy. An Index value of 100 to 110 suggests a stagnant economy, and 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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