November 27, 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 November with 24.8% of printers citing improving market conditions. This level was virtually unchanged compared with October (24.2%) and September (24.4%). However, there was overall improvement in the percentage of print providers categorizing their local conditions as starting or continuing to decline (35.5% in November vs. 40.3% in October and 40.1% in September). - Expectations for November: The percentage of print providers expecting an increase in November was 32.4% compared to October (42.1%), September (39.1%) and August (39.7%). The percentage of printers expecting an increase in the current month declined substantially relative to October, September and August. - Capital Spending: The capital equipment purchase activity was high compared to October's data (36% in November compared to 28% in October). This is consistent with CAP Ventures forecast in October 2002’s report of more substantial increase in capital purchase activity this Fall. There was a jump in the percentage of companies purchasing offset equipment and digital wide format printers compared to October's data. Prepress and bindery equipment continue to be the most commonly purchased items. --------- 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. 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