After Four Weeks Of Decline, CASH Index Holds Steady In Early June

Interviews for the latest polling were conducted between May 20 to 22 and June 3 to 5, 2003. The margin of error for the questions on each rolling average of two consecutive surveys totaling 2000 adults is +/-2.2%, nineteen times out of twenty. Washington, D.C. -- After steady declines throughout the month of May, consumer sentiment held steady in early June as the Ipsos National CASH Index (measuring Consumer Attitudes and Spending by Household) rose 1.5 points. The CASH Index now stands at 81.4. Click Here To View Chart The slight increase (within the statistical margin of error) is due to improvements in evaluations of current personal finances (-4.1, up 2.0 points since mid-May, 2003). Concern about the future of the local economy (-9.1, down 0.7 points since mid-May, 2003) continues to be the largest negative contributor to the National CASH Index. The following chart depicts the net change in the most recent monthly CASH Index rating since January 2002 based on each of the factors used to generate the Index.

Ipsos CASH Index (Ipsos Consumer Attitudes and Spending by Household Index) Index Score Changes Since January 2002 - National Monthly -

View Larger Version The National CASH Index is constructed twice monthly throughout the year. In addition, Ipsos constructs regional and demographic CASH Indexes four times per year (at the end of each fiscal quarter), as well as preliminary indices (produced at the mid-point of each fiscal quarter). Here are the QII '03 Preliminary regional and demographic CASH Index reports: Ipsos CASH Index Surveys of consumers are conducted by Ipsos-Public Affairs, the Washington, D.C.-based division of Ipsos, which is the world's second largest polling and market research organization. The Ipsos Consumer Attitudes and Spending by Household (CASH) Index polls are conducted the first and third week of every month, as part of Ipsos-Public Affairs weekly omnibus polling service. The Ipsos CASH Index, started in January 2002, is a bimonthly national survey of consumer attitudes on the current and future state of the local economy, personal financial situation and spending, saving and confidence to invest.

For more information about the Ipsos CASH Index or to receive this report on the first and third week of every month, please e-mail [email protected], or contact Ursula Davis at 202-463-7300. For more information on this release, please contact: Thomas Riehle President, Ipsos-Public Affairs Washington, D.C. 202.463.7300