BETHESDA, MD – The Kaulkin Ginsberg Index (KGI), the leading indicator of economic conditions affecting the accounts receivable management (ARM) industry, has increased for the first time in 2005, rising 0.9% in April to 1205.3. While an increase in the number of bankruptcy filings placed significant downward pressure on the KGI, five of the seven variables contributing to the index reflected slightly better economic conditions for ARM companies. The KGI is also up 5.7% year over year.
“What we see in the recent performance of the KGI is a groundswell of economic conditions that suggests a slightly more favorable operating environment for the companies in this industry,” said Paul Legrady, Director of Kaulkin Ginsberg’s Research Group.
The seven variables contributing to the KGI changed as follows between March and April 2005.
Variable |
April 2005
|
Variable Change*
|
Effect on KGI
|
Unemployment Rate |
5.2%
|
0%
|
None
|
Federal Funds Rate |
2.79%
|
6.1%
|
Up
|
Charge-off Rate |
0.54%
|
5.9%
|
Up
|
Outstanding Consumer Credit |
$2.13T
|
0.2%
|
Up
|
Total Market Cap of ARM Stocks |
$2.7B
|
2.8%
|
Up
|
Bankruptcy Filings |
401,149
|
-11.6%
|
Down
|
Consumer Price Index |
194.6
|
0.7%
|
Up
|
* See "How is the KGI Calculated," www.kaulkin.com/research/kgi/calculate.cfm |
The KGI is a product of Kaulkin Ginsberg’s Research Group, which provides industry-specific publications and custom research services to the ARM industry. The Research Group recently published the 6th Edition of the Kaulkin Report, the authoritative reference on the ARM industry.
For more information about the Kaulkin Ginsberg Index, visit www.kaulkin.com/research/kgi.cfm or call Paul Legrady, Director of Kaulkin Ginsberg’s Research Group, at 301-907-0840 ext. 104.
About Kaulkin Ginsberg Company
Kaulkin Ginsberg (www.kaulkin.com) is a diversified strategic advisory, media and technology company, providing solutions to accounts receivable management (ARM) and other business services industries since 1989. Strategic advisory services include merger, acquisition and valuation advice, research, growth and operational consulting as well as training and executive search. Kaulkin Ginsberg’s Research Group meets the market’s demand for industry-related market intelligence, leveraging nearly 15 years of industry insight and proprietary data to support industry professionals and investors in their business decisions. Kaulkin Media publishes CollectionIndustry.com™ and Credit & Collection Daily™, and is the most popular source of industry information. Kaulkin Partners brings the latest technology to creditors and collectors.