May 24, 2002 - WhatTheyThink.com and CAP Ventures have released their monthly Printer Confidence Index. The data is compiled each month from printers throughout the United States. The goal of the index is to provide real-time analysis of PRINT DEMAND and CAPITAL SPENDING expectations. May 2002 was the first month since December of 2001 with an increase in the percentage of printers indicating demand is starting or continuing to decline. In fact, the percentage of print providers citing demand in their local market is starting or continuing to increase was down for the second straight month. - Second straight month with a decrease in percentage of companies citing improving market conditions - Print growth index declined for the first time in 2002. The index has been negative all year, but May was the first month it became more negative - 2002 year-to-date value of shipments as reported by the US Department of Commerce are running 7.7% behind 2001 - Print industry production levels and capacity utilization as reported by the US Federal Reserve have been flat for three months, but have not declined as they had in the previous 12 months - The percentage of print providers expecting their print volume to grow compared with last month declined for the second straight month - Net expected increase of 1.3% for May (current month) over April (last month) is down for the second straight month. - Continued increase in percentage of printers purchasing capital equipment - Continued positive 6-month outlook for local market and their business 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 - Color Copiers & Printers - High Speed Digital Color - High Speed Digital B&W - Wide Format Printers - Bindery Equipment - Print Management Software The data can be accessed at www.whattheythink.com