For Immediate Release
February 4, 2010
Contact: Cristi Allen
callen@decisionanalyst.com
Phone: 817-640-6166

Arlington, Texas—At the start of 2010, several of the Decision Analyst International Economic Indices are relatively flat, including the United States, Canada, and Germany. The Indices for Mexico and Argentina have seen recent steady increases (Mexico increased from an Index of 77 in October 2009 to 87 in January 2010 and Argentina increased from 83 in October 2009 to 88 in January 2010). Brazil has seen a steady decline from an index of 129 in October 2009 to an index of 124 in January 2010. Since this Index tends to lead the U.S. economy by nine to 12 months, the Economic Index is predicting a sluggish economy during 2010. Below are the Economic Indices for the past three years by country.

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*Data collection for China began in October 2007.

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“The global economy is starting 2010 on more solid footing than it started in 2009, but the ‘recovery’ remains weak and tentative. Record high unemployment, looming housing foreclosures, and lack of credit availability are all major risks to economic growth in 2010. The risk that financial markets will freeze up again during 2010 is substantial. Consumer plans to purchase durable goods in 2010 are relatively weak,” said Jerry W. Thomas, President/CEO of Decision Analyst. “Any shock to the system could trigger another downward spiral.”

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 31-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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