For Immediate Release October 10, 2007
Contact: Cristi Allen
callen@decisionanalyst.com
Phone: 817-640-6166

Arlington, Texas – Decision Analyst�s U.S. Economic Index increased two points in September to 108 (up from 106 in August). Despite the slight September increase in the Economic Index, the U.S. economy is still sluggish and at risk of recession.

“A longer-term view of the U.S. economy suggests that the economy has progressively worsened over the past year,” said Jerry W. Thomas, President and CEO of Decision Analyst. “The daily news of problems in the credit markets, along with volatility in the stock markets, are creating uncertainty in the minds of consumers and increasing the odds of reduced consumer spending.”

Among the components that make up the Economic Index, the factors that appear to be driving the Economic Index’s slight increase are improving optimism about the “prices paid for goods and services” (up 12 points), increasing confidence in “stocks and mutual funds” (up 6 points), and levels of “business activity” (up 5 points).

Among the components that make up the Economic Index, the factors that appear to be driving the Economic Index’s decline are confidence in “stocks and mutual funds” (down 21 points) and levels of “business activity” (down eight points). Despite the stock market turbulence, consumers’ outlook on the job market remained benign.

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, Chile, China, 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-based consumer-opinion panels, with more than seven million members.

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

Visit our Logos & Images page for photographs and logos, if needed.