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

Arlington, Texas—The Decision Analyst Economic Index rose three points, from 108 in January to 111 in February.

"The economy continues its slow growth with low interest rates and a strong housing market," said Jerry W. Thomas, President and CEO of Decision Analyst, a marketing research and marketing consulting firm. "However, if the concerns about employment and layoffs continue, a new recession could be on the horizon."

Regarding components that make up the Economic Index, the increase in the February indicators was due largely to "business activities" (up 18 points). Another component to the increase was "consumer purchase intent" for large-ticket durable goods (up eight points). The largest negative factor was "employment status" (down six 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, Colombia, France, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Peru, 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 stagnant 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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