For Immediate Release January 8, 2004
Contact: Cristi Allen
callen@decisionanalyst.com
Phone: 817-640-6166

Arlington, Texas - The prospects look good for strong economic expansion during 2004, according to the latest data from Decision Analyst, Inc.'s U.S. Economic Index. The overall Index jumped to 114 in December, the highest level reached in two years. Measured business activity was up strongly for the second month, reaching a monthly level not seen since the summer of 2001.

"The fourth quarter of 2003 clearly marked a decisive period of change for the economy," said Jerry W. Thomas, President and CEO of Decision Analyst, a marketing research and marketing consulting firm. "From marking time for most of the year, the last quarter saw the economy begin to expand rapidly."

The December Economic Index witnessed another leap in business activity, with the related Index component rising three percent over November's level. Matching that rise were significant increases in consumer purchase intent and confidence in the stock and bond markets (now at a higher level than at any time in the last four years).

"Wherever you look, the signs are positive at the moment," Thomas says. "The stock markets are fast clawing back the losses of the last few years, and businesses are confident of sustained expansion. The job market has not yet seen any significant improvement, but with consumer purchasing intent rising, the general population is clearly confident that the employment situation is likely to improve soon."

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.

About Decision Analyst

Decision Analyst, Inc. (www.decisionanalyst.com) is a leading marketing research and marketing consulting firm specializing in advertising testing, strategy research, new product development, and advanced modeling for marketing decision optimization. The firm delivers competitive advantage to clients throughout the world in the consumer packaged goods, telecommunications, retail, high technology, medical and pharmaceutical, utilities, and e-commerce industries. Decision Analyst operates American Consumer Opinion® Online, one of the world's largest Internet consumer opinion panels, with more than 3.5 million participants.

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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