Home | Press Room | Press Release Archives | Economic Index February 2011

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For Immediate Release
March 8, 2011
Contact: Cristi Allen
callen@decisionanalyst.com
Phone: 817-640-6166

Arlington, Texas—The Decision Analyst U.S. Economic Index registered 95 for February 2011, the same as the previous month. Throughout the past 12 months, the Economic Index has plodded along, fluctuating between 94 and 96 most of the months. The U.S. Economic Index is a leading indicator (tending to foreshadow overall economic activity by 6 to 12 months) and is forecasting slow economic growth for the balance of 2011. Here is the U.S. Economic Index for the past 10 years.

“The Economic Index continues to predict economic expansion during 2011, although the pace of growth will be marginal. Our data suggest that the Bureau of Labor Statistics might be under-reporting inflation. If this is true, some of the reported U.S. economic growth might be overstated. The U.S. economy continues to operate in a high-risk environment, with commodity prices soaring, continuing layoffs in the public sector, lingering subprime problems, and a persistent lack of credit for many small businesses,” said Jerry W. Thomas, President/CEO of Decision Analyst. “The troubles in the European banking system related to potential sovereign defaults are another major risk for the U.S. (and world) economy.”

International Index

The table below compares the U.S. Economic Index to Decision Analyst’s Economic Indices in other countries. Brazil, China, and India have the highest scores (131, 127, and 122, respectively). Spain, France, and the United Kingdom have the lowest scores (79, 80, and 82, respectively).

 

Census Divisions

The middle of the country has the highest scores, with the West South Central Division having an Index of 99 and the West North Central Division having an Index of 98. The East South Central and Pacific Divisions are tied for the lowest score at 93. (See map below.) The center of the U.S. is benefiting from higher prices for farm commodities and higher prices for energy.

 

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 33-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 American Consumer Opinion® Online—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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