Service Provider Confidence Index – Sage Gauge

Posted: 1/2004

SAGE GAUGE

The Sage Research Inc. November 2003 index of service provider confidence in
current conditions leveled off during November after a four-month rally. The
November 2003 index was down 0.8 points from the September high of 47.8. It remains just shy of high territory (over 50), but still is up
approximately 20 points from its level one year ago. The sharpest declines came
in the areas of capital spending and revenue. Unemployment was the only subindex
that rose in November. The Service Provider Confidence Index, begun in January
2002, is a tracking study with data collected bimonthly about both current
conditions and expectations regarding spending on capital equipment, spending on
product and service development, revenue, employment, investor confidence and
overall. In Novembers poll, the expectations index continued its steady rise,
marking the sixth straight month of increases (May-November). It was up 11.5
points since the beginning of the year, and almost 10 points since the same time
last year. The biggest increases came in the areas of investor confidence and
capital spending. The only subindex to fall was revenue. For more details about
the methodology, visit Sage Research at www.sageresearch.com.