ChangeWave Research: 4Q 2006 / 1Q 2007 Corporate Sales Sector Analysis

ChangeWave Research Report:

4Q 2006 / 1Q 2007 Sector Analysis – Leading & Lagging Industries

Overview: As reported last week, the findings of our most recent Alliance Corporate Sales survey (12/15/06; n = 2,786) point to a modest improvement in 4th Quarter corporate sales, coupled with a major uptick in the capital spending growth rate and a further easing of inflationary pressures.

The findings also pointed to three leading sectors – Computer Hardware/Networking, Transportation/ Aerospace and Telecom – that showed the biggest quarter-to-quarter improvement of all the sectors surveyed.

Table One below presents a snapshot of the findings for each of these leading sectors – compared to the Total Survey findings for all respondents. Note that if you click on the individual sector links, you’ll go to a series of charts highlighting that sector’s survey results.

Table 1: Leading Sectors from 4Q 2006 / 1Q 2007 Corporate Sales Survey

Column A / Column B / Column C / Column D
Current
Quarter
(4Q)
“Above Plan”
Findings / Current
Quarter
(4Q)
Green Light for Customer Spending / Next
Quarter
(1Q)
Sales Pipeline
Visibility
“Above Plan” / Next
Quarter
(1Q)
Capital Budget
Change Score
(Increase -Decrease)
Survey
Findings / Change From Previous Quarter / Survey
Findings / Change From Previous Quarter / Survey
Findings / Change From Previous Quarter / Survey
Findings / Change From Previous Quarter
TOTAL SURVEY (N=2,786) / 34% / (+2) / 65% / (+5) / 33% / (-1) / 11% / (+11)
Computer Hardware/ Networking / 49% / (+18) / 77% / (+8) / 37% / (+4) / 15% / (+15)
Transportation/Aerospace / 40% / (+11) / 66% / (+15) / 32% / (+2) / 1% / (+7)
Telecom / 32% / (+7) / 62% / (+6) / 36% / (+3) / 6% / (+15)


Lagging Sectors. On the downside, the biggest quarter-over-quarter declines have occurred in Industrial Manufacturing and Natural Gas & Oil.

Table Two below presents the findings for each of these lagging sectors – compared to the Total Survey findings for all respondents. Again, click on the individual sector links and you’ll go to a series of charts highlighting that sector’s survey results.

Table 2: Lagging Sectors from 4Q 2006 / 1Q 2007 Corporate Sales Survey

Column A / Column B / Column C / Column D
Current
Quarter
(4Q)
“Above Plan”
Findings / Next
Quarter
(4Q)
Green Light for Customer Spending / Current
Quarter
(1Q)
Sales Pipeline
Visibility
“Above Plan” / Next
Quarter
(1Q)
Capital Budget
Change Score
(Increase -Decrease)
Survey
Findings / Change From Previous Quarter / Survey
Findings / Change From Previous Quarter / Survey
Findings / Change From Previous Quarter / Survey
Findings / Change From Previous Quarter
TOTAL SURVEY (N=2,786) / 34% / (+2) / 65% / (+5) / 33% / (-1) / 11% / (+11)
Industrial Manufacturing / 37% / (-7) / 63% / (-5) / 29% / (-12) / 13% / (+9)
Natural Gas / 43% / (-9) / 81% / (+0) / 31% / (-10) / 23% / (+15)

In Sections I and II below, we present a series of charts summarizing the survey findings for each of these Leading and Lagging sectors including:

·  4Q 2006 Sales Results and Comparison with Previous Quarterly Results

·  4Q 2006 Willingness of Existing Customers to Spend Money on Products and Services

·  Pricing Pressures in the Current Marketplace

·  1Q 2007 Projected Sales Pipeline and Comparison with Previous Quarterly Results

·  1Q 2007 Capital Spending Results and Comparison with Previous Quarterly Results

In Section III, we present a Summary Chart with the results for the other sectors surveyed.

The ChangeWave Alliance is a group of 10,000 highly qualified business, technology, and medical professionals in leading companies of select industries—credentialed professionals who spend their everyday lives working on the frontline of technological change. ChangeWave surveys its Alliance members on a range of business and investment research and intelligence topics, collects feedback from them electronically, and converts the information into proprietary quantitative and qualitative reports.

Helping You Profit From A Rapidly Changing World

www.ChangeWave.com


Table of Contents

Section I: Leading Sectors

Computer Hardware/Networking 4

Transportation/Aerospace 10

Telecom 16

Section II: Lagging Sectors

Industrial Manufacturing 22

Natural Gas & Oil 28

Section III. 4Q 2006 / 1Q 2007 Corporate Sales Survey Sector Results 34

ChangeWave Research Methodology 35

About ChangeWave Research 36


Section I: Leading Sectors

Alliance Corporate Sales Survey Results

November 28, 2006 – December 6, 2006

Computer Hardware/Networking Sector

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chart One: 4Q 2006 Sales: Last 8 Surveys Comparison – Alliance Computer Hardware/Networking Sector Survey Results

Chart Two: 4Q 2006 Willingness of Existing Customers to Spend Money on your Company’s Products and Services: Last 8 Surveys Comparison – Alliance Computer Hardware/Networking Sector Survey Results

Chart Three: Pricing Pressures – Alliance Computer Hardware/Networking Sector Survey Results

Chart Four: 1Q 2007 Projected Sales Pipeline: Last 3 Surveys Comparison – Alliance Computer Hardware/Networking Sector Survey Results

Chart Five: 1Q 2007 Capital Spending: Last 3 Surveys Comparison – Alliance Computer Hardware/Networking Sector Survey Results

Chart One

Alliance Computer Hardware/Networking Sector Survey Results –

Quarterly Sales Last 8 Surveys Comparison


Chart Two

Alliance Computer Hardware/Networking Sector Survey Results – Willingness of Existing Customers to Spend Money on your Company’s Products and Services


Chart Three

Alliance Computer Hardware/Networking Sector Survey Results – Price Pressures

*Note that a total of 51% currently report their company’s prices are holding firm in the marketplace.
Chart Four

Alliance Computer Hardware/Networking Sector Survey Results –

3Q 2006 Projected Sales Pipeline (Previous Survey – June ‘06) vs.

4Q 2006 Projected Sales Pipeline (Previous Survey – September ‘06) vs.

1Q 2007 Projected Sales Pipeline (Current Survey – December ‘06)

*Note: 4Q 2006 Projected Sales Pipeline results are taken from the September 2006 Alliance Quarterly Sales Survey.

*Note: 3Q 2006 Projected Sales Pipeline results are taken from the June 2006 Alliance Quarterly Sales Survey.


Chart Five

Alliance Computer Hardware/Networking Sector Survey Results –

3Q 2006 Capital Spending (Previous Survey – June 2006) vs.

4Q 2006 Capital Spending (Previous Survey – September 2006) vs.

1Q 2007 Capital Spending (Current Survey – December 2006)

*Note: 4Q 2006 Capital Spending results are taken from the September 2006 Alliance Quarterly Sales Survey.

*Note: 3Q 2006 Capital Spending results are taken from the June 2006 Alliance Quarterly Sales Survey


Alliance Corporate Sales Survey Results

November 28, 2006 – December 6, 2006

Transportation/Aerospace Sector

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chart One: 4Q 2006 Sales: Last 8 Surveys Comparison – Alliance Transportation/Aerospace Sector Survey Results

Chart Two: 4Q 2006 Willingness of Existing Customers to Spend Money on your Company’s Products and Services: Last 8 Surveys Comparison – Alliance Transportation/Aerospace Survey Results

Chart Three: Pricing Pressures – Alliance Transportation/Aerospace Sector Survey Results

Chart Four: 1Q 2007 Projected Sales Pipeline: Last 3 Surveys Comparison – Transportation/Aerospace Sector Survey Results

Chart Five: 1Q 2007 Capital Spending: Last 3 Surveys Comparison – Alliance Transportation/Aerospace Sector Survey Results

Chart One

Alliance Transportation/Aerospace Sector Survey Results –

Quarterly Sales Last 8 Surveys Comparison


Chart Two

Alliance Transportation/Aerospace Sector Survey Results – Willingness of Existing Customers to Spend Money on your Company’s Products and Services


Chart Three

Alliance Transportation/Aerospace Sector Survey Results – Price Pressures

*Note that a total of 56% currently report their company’s prices are holding firm in the marketplace.
Chart Four

Alliance Transportation/Aerospace Sector Survey Results –

3Q 2006 Projected Sales Pipeline (Previous Survey – June ‘06) vs.

4Q 2006 Projected Sales Pipeline (Previous Survey – September ‘06) vs.

1Q 2007 Projected Sales Pipeline (Current Survey – December ’06)

*Note: 4Q 2006 Projected Sales Pipeline results are taken from the September 2006 Alliance Quarterly Sales Survey.

*Note: 3Q 2006 Projected Sales Pipeline results are taken from the June 2006 Alliance Quarterly Sales Survey.


Chart Five

Alliance Transportation/Aerospace Sector Survey Results –

3Q 2006 Capital Spending (Previous Survey – June 2006) vs.

4Q 2006 Capital Spending (Previous Survey – September 2006) vs.

1Q 2007 Capital Spending (Current Survey – December 2006)

*Note: 4Q 2006 Capital Spending results are taken from the September 2006 Alliance Quarterly Sales Survey.

*Note: 3Q 2006 Capital Spending results are taken from the June 2006 Alliance Quarterly Sales Survey


Alliance Corporate Sales Survey Results

November 28, 2006 – December 6, 2006

Telecom Sector

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chart One: 4Q 2006 Sales: Last 8 Surveys Comparison – Alliance Telecom Sector Survey Results

Chart Two: 4Q 2006 Willingness of Existing Customers to Spend Money on your Company’s Products and Services: Last 8 Surveys Comparison – Alliance Telecom Sector Survey Results

Chart Three: Pricing Pressures – Alliance Telecom Sector Survey Results

Chart Four: 1Q 2007 Projected Sales Pipeline: Last 3 Surveys Comparison – Alliance Telecom Sector Survey Results

Chart Five: 1Q 2007 Capital Spending: Last 3 Surveys Comparison – Alliance Telecom Sector Survey Results

Chart One

Alliance Telecom Sector Survey Results –

Quarterly Sales Last 8 Surveys Comparison


Chart Two

Alliance Telecom Sector Survey Results – Willingness of Existing Customers to Spend Money on your Company’s Products and Services


Chart Three

Alliance Telecom Sector Survey Results – Price Pressures

*Note that a total of 58% currently report their company’s prices are holding firm in the marketplace.
Chart Four

Alliance Telecom Sector Survey Results –

3Q 2006 Projected Sales Pipeline (Previous Survey – June ‘06) vs.

4Q 2006 Projected Sales Pipeline (Previous Survey – September ‘06) vs.

1Q 2007 Projected Sales Pipeline (Current Survey – December ’06)

*Note: 4Q 2006 Projected Sales Pipeline results are taken from the September 2006 Alliance Quarterly Sales Survey.

*Note: 3Q 2006 Projected Sales Pipeline results are taken from the June 2006 Alliance Quarterly Sales Survey.


Chart Five

Alliance Telecom Sector Survey Results –

3Q 2006 Capital Spending (Previous Survey – June 2006) vs.

4Q 2006 Capital Spending (Previous Survey – September 2006) vs.

1Q 2007 Capital Spending (Current Survey – December 2006)

*Note: 4Q 2006 Capital Spending results are taken from the September 2006 Alliance Quarterly Sales Survey.

*Note: 3Q 2006 Capital Spending results are taken from the June 2006 Alliance Quarterly Sales Survey


Section II: Lagging Sectors

Alliance Corporate Sales Survey Results

November 28, 2006 – December 6, 2006

Industrial Manufacturing Sector

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chart One: 4Q 2006 Sales: Last 5 Surveys Comparison – Alliance Industrial Manufacturing Sector Survey Results

Chart Two: 4Q 2006 Willingness of Existing Customers to Spend Money on your Company’s Products and Services: Last 5 Surveys Comparison – Alliance Industrial Manufacturing Sector Survey Results

Chart Three: Pricing Pressures – Alliance Industrial Manufacturing Sector Survey Results

Chart Four: 1Q 2007 Projected Sales Pipeline: Last 3 Surveys Comparison – Alliance Industrial Manufacturing Sector Survey Results

Chart Five: 1Q 2007 Capital Spending: Last 3 Surveys Comparison – Alliance Industrial Manufacturing Sector Survey Results

Chart One

Alliance Industrial Manufacturing Sector Survey Results –

Quarterly Sales Last 5 Surveys Comparison


Chart Two

Alliance Industrial Manufacturing Sector Survey Results –Willingness of Existing Customers to Spend Money on your Company’s Products and Services


Chart Three

Alliance Industrial Manufacturing Sector Survey Results – Price Pressures

*Note that a total of 52% currently report their company’s prices are holding firm in the marketplace.
Chart Four

Alliance Industrial Manufacturing Sector Survey Results –

3Q 2006 Projected Sales Pipeline (Previous Survey – June ‘06) vs.

4Q 2006 Projected Sales Pipeline (Previous Survey – September ‘06) vs.

1Q 2007 Projected Sales Pipeline (Current Survey – December ’06)

*Note: 4Q 2006 Projected Sales Pipeline results are taken from the September 2006 Alliance Quarterly Sales Survey.

*Note: 3Q 2006 Projected Sales Pipeline results are taken from the June 2006 Alliance Quarterly Sales Survey.


Chart Five

Alliance Industrial Manufacturing Sector Survey Results –

3Q 2006 Capital Spending (Previous Survey – June 2006) vs.

4Q 2006 Capital Spending (Previous Survey – September 2006) vs.

1Q 2007 Capital Spending (Current Survey – December 2006)

*Note: 4Q 2006 Capital Spending results are taken from the September 2006 Alliance Quarterly Sales Survey.

*Note: 3Q 2006 Capital Spending results are taken from the June 2006 Alliance Quarterly Sales Survey


Alliance Corporate Sales Survey Results

November 28, 2006 – December 6, 2006

Natural Gas and Oil Sector

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chart One: 4Q 2006 Sales: Last 8 Surveys Comparison – Alliance Natural Gas and Oil Sector Survey Results

Chart Two: 4Q 2006 Willingness of Existing Customers to Spend Money on your Company’s Products and Services: Last 8 Surveys Comparison – Alliance Natural Gas and Oil Sector Survey Results

Chart Three: Pricing Pressures – Alliance Natural Gas and Oil Sector Survey Results

Chart Four: 1Q 2007 Projected Sales Pipeline: Last 3 Surveys Comparison – Alliance Natural Gas and Oil Sector Survey Results

Chart Five: 1Q 2007 Capital Spending: Last 3 Surveys Comparison – Alliance Natural Gas and Oil Sector Survey Results

Chart One

Alliance Natural Gas and Oil Sector Survey Results –

Quarterly Sales Last 8 Surveys Comparison


Chart Two

Alliance Natural Gas and Oil Sector Survey Results –Willingness of Existing Customers to Spend Money on your Company’s Products and Services


Chart Three

Alliance Natural Gas and Oil Sector Survey Results – Price Pressures

*Note that a total of 56% currently report their company’s prices are holding firm in the marketplace.
Chart Four

Alliance Natural Gas and Oil Sector Survey Results –

3Q 2006 Projected Sales Pipeline (Previous Survey – June ‘06) vs.

4Q 2006 Projected Sales Pipeline (Previous Survey – September ‘06) vs.

1Q 2007 Projected Sales Pipeline (Current Survey – December ’06)

*Note: 4Q 2006 Projected Sales Pipeline results are taken from the September 2006 Alliance Quarterly Sales Survey.

*Note: 3Q 2006 Projected Sales Pipeline results are taken from the June 2006 Alliance Quarterly Sales Survey.


Chart Five

Alliance Natural Gas and Oil Sector Survey Results –

3Q 2006 Capital Spending (Previous Survey – June 2006) vs.

4Q 2006 Capital Spending (Previous Survey – September 2006) vs.

1Q 2007 Capital Spending (Current Survey – December 2006)