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Economic Index
For Immediate Release
June 4, 2010
Contact: Cristi Allen
callen@decisionanalyst.com
Phone: 817-640-6166
Decision Analyst’s International Economic Indices
For U.S. and France Slide,
While the U.K. and Spain Remain Stable
Arlington, Texas—Decision Analyst’s U.S. Economic Index decreased
three points from 98 in April to 95 in May, while France dropped five points
from an Index of 80 in April to 75 in May. Meanwhile the United Kingdom has
remained relatively stable, maintaining an Index of 89 from April to May. Amid
a downgrade to its debt, the Index for Spain has remained stable, maintaining
an index of 87 for both April and May. Since the Decision Analyst Economic Indices
tend to lead the economy by six to 12 months, they predict a sluggish economy
for the second half of 2010, amid global concerns about heavy sovereign debt.
“May’s U.S. Index could be either a minor blip on the recovery
horizon, or it could signal the start of a double-dip recession.” said
Jerry W. Thomas, President/CEO of Decision Analyst. “Uncertainty in the
stock market, concern over oil, the continued housing crisis, and massive government
debt are making the average consumer in the U.S. very pessimistic. Internationally,
there is still major concern over the massive debt in Spain, Italy, Greece,
and Ireland.”
“However, even with all the pessimism, there is reason to be optimistic.
Increasingly, more people are employed, banks are more receptive to loaning
money, and consumers are more optimistic about the prices for goods and services,”
said Thomas.
Below are the International Economic Indices for the past three years.
The Index numbers for Mexico, Germany, Spain, Australia, Argentina, China,
Chile, and Colombia are a three-month moving average to smooth out month-to-month
fluctuations. The reported Index number averages the current month with the
two previous months.
Methodology
The Decision Analyst Economic Index is based on a monthly Internet survey of
several thousand households balanced by gender, age, and geography. The online
survey is conducted the last 10 days of each month. The Economic Index is calculated
from nine different economic measurements using a sophisticated econometric
model. The result is a snapshot of current economic activity in each country
surveyed, as seen through the eyes of representative consumers living in the
respective countries. Decision Analyst conducts its concurrent economic surveys
each month in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia,
France, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Peru, Russian Federation,
Spain, United Kingdom, United States, 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 near or below 100 generally indicates economic contraction. These
guidelines vary by country, however.
About Decision Analyst
Decision Analyst (www.decisionanalyst.com) is a leading global marketing research
and analytical consulting firm specializing in advertising testing, strategy
research, new product development, and advanced modeling for marketing decision
optimization. The 32-year-old firm delivers competitive advantage to clients
throughout the world in the consumer packaged goods, telecommunications, retail,
technology, medical, and pharmaceutical industries. In addition, Decision Analyst
owns and operates the American Consumer Opinion® Online panel—one
of the largest consumer opinion panels in the world—with more than eight
million members.
For additional information contact:
Cristi Allen
Publicity
Email: callen@decisionanalyst.com
Phone: 1-800-ANALYSIS (262-5974) or 1-817-640-6166
Address: 604 Avenue H East
Arlington, TX 76011
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