BETHESDA, MD – The Kaulkin Ginsberg Index (KGI), the leading indicator of economic conditions affecting the accounts receivable management (ARM) industry, increased a robust 5.4% in May to 1270.2, nearing its high of 1276.4 in December 2004. The KGI is also up 9.7% year over year.
“The public markets looked very favorably on the ARM industry during the month of May, and this contributed significantly to KGI’s gains,” said Paul Legrady, Director of Kaulkin Ginsberg’s Research Group. “The recent performance of the KGI is a good sign for all companies in this industry.”
The total market capitalization of publicly traded ARM stocks increased 12.9% in May to $3.03 billion. This affected the KGI much more significantly than the widely reported 0.1% decrease in consumer credit. The seven variables contributing to the KGI changed as follows between April and May 2005.
Variable |
May 2005
|
Variable Change*
|
Effect on KGI
|
Unemployment Rate |
5.1%
|
3.6%
|
Up
|
Federal Funds Rate |
3.0%
|
7.5%
|
Up
|
Charge-off Rate |
0.54%
|
0%
|
None
|
Outstanding Consumer Credit |
$2.13T
|
-0.1%
|
Down
|
Total Market Cap of ARM Stocks |
$2.03B
|
12.9%
|
Up
|
Bankruptcy Filings |
401,149
|
0%
|
None
|
Consumer Price Index |
194.4
|
-0.1%
|
Down
|
* 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.