For Immediate Release October 1, 2003
Contact: Cristi Allen
callen@decisionanalyst.com
Phone: 817-640-6166

Arlington, Texas - The U.S. economy appears finally to be expanding again according to third quarter data from Decision Analyst, Inc.'s September U.S. Economic Index. The overall Index (calculated from a nationwide, online survey conducted during the last 10 days of each month) was at 110 in September, the highest level this year and up two points from August. Business activity showed particularly strong growth, with more respondents reporting increased activity than at any time since March 2002.

"The economy appears finally to be entering a period of stronger growth," said Jerry W. Thomas, President and CEO of Decision Analyst, a marketing research and marketing consulting firm. "Over the third quarter the Economic Index has seen a slow but certain strengthening of several key economic indicators - stock market confidence, corporate hiring trends and, most importantly, business activity."

The September Economic Index found confidence in the stock and bond markets up strongly - taking it, like business activity, to its highest level since March 2002. Corporate hiring was also on the rise, hitting (Index) levels not seen since the summer of 2002.

"An increase in corporate hiring intentions demonstrates confidence that real growth is now upon us," Thomas says. "An improvement in the employment situation is long overdue and should give a much needed boost to consumer confidence. That, in turn, should further improve growth prospects over the fourth quarter."

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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