October 30, 2002 - WhatTheyThink.com and CAP Ventures have released the monthly Print Buyer Pulse Index, the industry’s only indicator targeting print customers. The data was compiled earlier this month from print buyers throughout the United States. This index provides real-time analysis of print demand directly from the end user. The October polling indicated that 22.7% of print customers expect their print spending to increase over the next 6 months, a decline from September (30.1%), August (34.5%) level, July (29.7%) and June (31.8%) levels. The message appears to be that print customers will spend less during the next six months than in the previous six months. In October, print customers’ outlook for their print spending over the next 6 months is to decline a modest 0.8% compared with the last 6 months. October was the first time print customers indicated they expect print spending to decline over the next six months. Print customers do not appear to have very strong sentiments for the next six months. The percentage of print customers expecting an increase over the next six months has declined since peaking in the spring at 40% to only 22% in October. Other broader economic data has been mixed including GDP (1.3% increase in 2Q), stock market, and retail sales (2.5% increase year-to-date) figures. Today, the Conference Board reported that the Consumer Confidence Index fell to its lowest level since 1993. Premium Access members at WhatTheyThink.com can view charts, graphs, demographics and complete comparisons with previous months. The complete results also include September actual spending and projected spending for October. The data can be accessed at www.whattheythink.com.