October 24, 2002 - WhatTheyThink.com and CAP Ventures have released the results of the Printer Confidence Index, the most thorough and up-to-date indicator tracking market conditions in the printing industry. The data was compiled earlier this month from printers throughout the United States. The index provides industry executives with real-time analysis of PRINT DEMAND and CAPITAL SPENDING expectations. Overall Market Conditions: Market sentiment remained stable in October with 24.2% of printers citing improving market conditions. This level was virtually unchanged compared with September (24.4%). There was also no significant change in the percentage of print providers categorizing their local conditions as starting or continuing to decline (40.3% in October vs. 40.1% in September). Expectations for October: The percentage of print providers expecting an increase in October (42.1%) was up slightly from September (39.1%) and August (39.7%), and up significantly from July (30.5%), June (37.8%) and May (34.6%). The percentage of printers expecting an increase in the current month was the highest since April when 43.4% indicated they expect an increase. CAP Ventures anticipated seeing a steady increase in printers citing a month over month increase as we head into the fall promotional season. However, print customers appear to have reduced their print spending plans for the fall season (See the Print Buyer Pulse Index due out on Monday). --------- Premium Access members can view the charts, graphs, demographics and complete comparisons with previous months. The Index tracks print demand last month, this month and the coming six months. It includes key government data like the Federal Reserve’s industrial production and capacity utilization rates. The Index also examines past, present and future spending plans on capital equipment like: - Prepress - Offset & Conventional Presses - Color Copiers & Printers - High Speed Digital Color - High Speed Digital B&W - Wide Format Printers - Bindery Equipment - Print Management Software For more information, visit www.whattheythink.com