AMERICAN HARDWARE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION
Terrence V. Gallagher
Manager of Communications
801 North Plaza Drive
Schaumburg, Illinois 60173
847-592-3504
tgallagher@ahma.org

P.R. # AHMA10-13

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May AHMA Confidence Index Shows Current Sales Levels Continuing to Improve, Expectations for Future Sales at Highest Level

Manufacturers Also Express Uncertainty Concerning Kagan Confirmation and Government-Imposed Limitations on Offshore Drilling

Schaumburg, Illinois, June 2, 2010 —The American Hardware Manufacturers Association’s AHMA Home Improvement Industry Confidence Index’s Current Situation Index improved in May to 258.3 from 254.2 in April (October 2008 = 100), while the Future Expectations Index improved to 260.3 from 248.3 a month earlier.  Both indexes are at all-time high levels for the 19-month old survey.

In comparing current sales levels to year-ago levels, 62 percent of respondents said sales were higher in May versus year-ago levels, up from 61 percent in April.  For May, 20 percent reported sales were even, and 18 percent said sales were below year-ago levels.

Looking forward six months, 69 percent of May respondents said they expect sales to be above current levels, up from 68 percent in April.  In May, 28 percent of respondents said they expect sales to be even in six months and just three percent expect sales to be below current levels.

Looking forward one year, 82 percent of respondents project sales will be higher, up from 76 percent who felt that way in April.  Fifteen percent of May respondents project sales will be even one year from now and two percent project sales will be below current levels.

“Hot Topic” Questions

The May Confidence Index survey asked two supplemental questions of AHMA members:

“Do you support the confirmation of Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court?” and “In light of the catastrophic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, do you support new government-imposed limitations on offshore drilling?”

To the first question, on the confirmation of Kagan, 24 percent responded “Yes,” 39 percent responded “Not Sure,” and 37 percent responded “No.”

On new limitations on offshore drilling, 23 percent responded “Yes,” 21 percent responded “Not Sure,” and 56 percent responded “No.”

About the AHMA Home Improvement Industry Confidence Index

The AHMA Home Improvement Industry Confidence Index is a monthly indicator of the economic health and “mood” of the industry based on a survey of AHMA members.

The data collected from the survey produces two Indexes indicating:  1) Current Situation and  2) Future Expectations.  Both Indexes use survey data from October 2008 as the base reference point so that October 2008 = 100.

The AHMA Home Improvement Industry Confidence Index results are released on the first Wednesday of every month.

Results of the Index survey are viewable online here: http://www.ahma.org/ConfidenceIndex/May2010Results.

About the American Hardware Manufacturers Association (AHMA)

AHMA is a globally focused trade association of manufacturers, or providers, of hardware, home improvement, lawn and garden, paint and decorating, building and construction and related products, as well as manufacturers’ representative’s agencies and trade publications.

AHMA offers many valuable member and industry programs, services and activities including the AHMA Hardlines Technology Forum, AHMA / USA International Pavilions, AHMA Advantage GPO, the AHMA eAGLE, The Hard Fax: Home Improvement Industry News, The Hard Fax International: Home Improvement Industry News from Around the World, the AHMA Home Improvement Industry Confidence Index, the AHMA Home Improvement Industry Dashboard, Government Relations Programs, Member Benefit Vendor Programs, the AHMA Hardware Industry Relief Effort (HIRE) and the AHMA / Habitat for Humanity Partnership.

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