US Research Industry Index Continues Positive Run

The MR industry in the US has now recovered from the recession, according to professional association the MRA - whose Research Industry Index (RII) score has remained above 100 for the fifth consecutive quarter.

Based this time round on online interviews with 197 owners or senior level managers, the RII provides a composite score based on reported changes in multiple key business metrics, projects and staffing levels, as well as changes in business owners' perception of the 'health' of their firms. The most recent wave was conducted in August and September, and reflects business conditions during and ending with the second quarter of 2014.

The run of fifteen months of scores between 100 and 102 are down to improved key metrics and a positive outlook for staffing levels, projects booked/revenue and RFPs/proposals. In the previous wave, smaller firms (under $1m in annual revenue) were experiencing a more difficult business climate, but this time round it was the turn of medium sized companies ($1m to under $5m) - the latter reported decreases in RFPs/proposals, projects/booked revenue and operating margins for the latest quarter.

MRA's Director of Research Amy Shields comments: 'While the new index illustrates the most positive fifteen-month period we've seen in several years, word on the street is that 2014 has been a challenging year for many of our member companies. With high expectations for a strong finish to the year, third and fourth quarter results should be of great interest. Key factors for a positive outlook are increasing the volume of business, adding new business prospects and new clients, but the name of the game seems to be less on client loyalty and more on diversification.'

Web site: www.marketingresearch.org .