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Latest Month	Previous Month	Year Ago	YTD % Change	Annual % Change
				2006	2007	2008
168.9	179.4	176.5	-6.1	1.5	-1.6	-2.0

Injection Molding Business Index

Data Source: Mountaintop Economics & Research, Inc
Last Updated: August 2008

The Injection Molding Business Index (1990=100) measures market demand for injection molded parts. It is a leading indicator of future demand for injection molds, tooling, and injection molding machinery. It is also an indicator of overall U.S. economic activity.

The Injection Molding Business Index declined 4% in the latest month when compared with a year ago. This followed a 6% decrease during the previous month.

This Index will hit a cyclical bottom in the second half of 2008. After several months of consolidation, the trend is expected to rise throughout 2009.

When compared with the previous year, this Index descended by 4% during the second quarter of 2008 after an 8% decline in the first quarter.

The U.S. economy will experience below-average growth in 2008. This will curb demand for injection molded products in the near-term, but U.S. manufacturing activity will start to regain momentum in late-2008 or in early-2009.

After an annual decline of 1% in 2007, the average for our Injection Molding Business Index is forecast to slip another 2% in 2008.