For Immediate Release September 6, 2006
Contact: Cristi Allen
callen@decisionanalyst.com
Phone: 817-640-6166

Arlington, Texas—The Decision Analyst U.S. Economic Index ticked up two points from 107 in July to 109 in August. The Index (and the U.S. economy) have been in a holding pattern for the last five months, primarily the result of rising gasoline prices and increasing interest rates.

"The Economic Index's recent numbers are consistent with a slow rate of economic expansion. The continuing downturn in the housing market may put additional downward pressure on the U.S. economy in coming months," said Jerry W. Thomas, President and CEO of Decision Analyst, a marketing research and marketing consulting firm that conducts the survey and derives the Economic Index.

Among the components that make up the Economic Index, the largest increases in the August indicators were "consumer purchase intent" for large-ticket durable goods (up 8 points) and confidence in "stocks and mutual funds" (up 6 points). This increase was partially offset by declines in "business activity" (down 3 points) and availability of "consumer credit" (down 3 points).

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 typically conducted between the 20th and 27th of each month. The Index is 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 Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Chile, Colombia, France, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Peru, Russian Federation, United Kingdom, and Venezuela. 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 slow-growth economy, and below 100 generally indicates economic contraction. These guidelines vary by country, however.

About Decision Analyst

Decision Analyst (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 six 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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