The Associated Press/Ipsos CASH Index (Consumer Attitudes And Spending By Household)

Washington, DC -- The Associated Press/Ipsos-Public Affairs CASH Index measuring consumer attitudes fell in October, declining to 97.4 from 103.4 in September and 104.8 in August.

The CASH Index is based on ten questions measuring consumer attitudes, asked monthly since January 2002, when the Index was originally established with an index score of 100. Even with the decline from September's more positive numbers, the CASH Index remains on the general upward trend observed one year ago, in October 2003, when it stood at 74.4.

Drop in Current Conditions The CASH subindex on Current Conditions shows the largest drop, and stands at 97.4, from 102.6 in September. Much of this appears to be driven by concerns about the state of the wider economy rather than more immediate changes in people's own finances. Fewer Americans now (17%) than a month ago (21%) rate their local economy as being "very strong." Views on the state of their personal financial situation are more stable, remaining largely unchanged since last month, but still one in four describe their own situation as weak.

More Worry about Saving for the Future, Spending Now More consumers now (43%) than in September (38%) say they are less confident about their ability to invest for the future. There are now as many pessimists as optimists (42% more confident, from 51% last month), ending the predominance of confidence over the past few months.

Consumers are not only more unsure about their ability to put money away for the future, but they are also more hesitant about making big purchases.

Insecurity about Jobs Rises Confidence about job security is now at the lowest point seen since the election campaign started in earnest this spring. Over the past four weeks, confidence about job security has fallen by 8 percentage points. People who are less confident about job security (44%) now outnumber those who are more confident than they were six months ago (40%; 48% in September).

Similarly, fewer now (52%) than in September (56%) say it is unlikely they or someone close to them will lose his or her job in the next six months.

The Associated Press Poll is conducted by Ipsos-Public Affairs. Between October 4-6, 2004, the AP-Ipsos poll interviewed a representative sample of 1,000 adults nationwide. The margin of error is +/- 3.1 for all adults. Margin of error for subgroups may be higher.

To view the complete filled-in questionnaire for this survey, please click on the Topline Results pdf at the top of this page.

For more information on this press release, please contact: Janice Bell Director, Ipsos Public Affairs Washington, D.C. 202.463.7300

Ipsos CASH Index Surveys of consumers are conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs, the Washington, D.C.-based division of Ipsos, a leading global survey-based market research group. 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.

About Ipsos Public Affairs Ipsos Public Affairs, headquartered in Washington D.C., is a non-partisan, objective, survey-based research company made up of campaign and political polling veterans as well as seasoned research professionals. The company conducts strategic research initiatives for a diverse number of American and international organizations, based not only on public opinion research but often elite stakeholder, corporate, and media opinion research. It has offices in New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, and Washington, with affiliates around the world. Ipsos Public Affairs conducts national and international public opinion polling on behalf of The Associated Press, the world's oldest and largest news organization, and conducts the young voters poll for Newsweek.com. Ipsos Public Affairs is an Ipsos company, a leading global survey-based market research group.

To learn more, visit: www.ipsos-na.com/news/pa

About Ipsos Ipsos is a leading global survey-based market research company, owned and managed by research professionals. Ipsos helps interpret, simulate, and anticipate the needs and reactions of consumers, customers, and citizens around the world. Member companies assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media. They measure public opinion around the globe. Ipsos member companies offer expertise in advertising, customer loyalty, marketing, media, and public affairs research, as well as forecasting and modeling and consulting. Ipsos has a full line of custom, syndicated, omnibus, panel, and online research products and services, guided by industry experts and bolstered by advanced analytics and methodologies. The company was founded in 1975 and has been publicly traded since 1999. In 2003, Ipsos generated global revenues of $644.2 million U.S. To learn more, visit: www.ipsos.com Ipsos is listed on the Euronext Paris Premier Marchй, and is part of the SBF 120 and Next Prime Indices as well as eligible to the Deferred Settlement System (SRD). Euroclear code 7329, Reuters ISOS.LN, Bloomberg IPS FP more 187