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Despite post-hurricane economic woes, blacks remain optimistic on jobs

(November 1, 2005) In spite of the tragic aftermath of hurricane Katrina, African-Americans have expressed optimism about their near-term employment status. Their plans to make big purchases, however, have dropped significantly. These attitudes are demonstrated in the results of the Target Market News/NiaOnline Black Consumer Confidence Survey taken in late September.

In the survey, 73 percent of African-Americans said they will be in their current jobs for the next 90 days. This is an increase over August’s 71 percent, and is the highest percentage recorded since the survey began in May of this year. Among white respondents, 73 percent expressed confidence about their employment for the near future, a number that has remained the same since July.

"Despite recent speculation about the economic effects of natural disasters and rising energy prices, blacks expressed continued and steady confidence in their job status," observed Cheryl Mayberry McKissack, president and CEO of Nia Enterprises in Chicago.

When asked if they will purchase big-ticket items, such as a car or major appliances, in the next three months, only 25 percent of black respondents said they would. That is a decrease of five percent over the previous month’s 30 percent. The number of blacks planning to buy is still significantly higher than the 13 percent of whites who said they would make such a purchase.

”These numbers suggest that blacks were able to separate the tragedy that occurred in the Gulf States from their own circumstances,” said Ken Smikle, president of Target Market News. “They have had a reasoned reaction to the hysteria about how this unprecedented disaster will impact them personally. This optimism likely also had an impact on their unprecedented response of generosity to help the victims.”

The latest Target Market News/NiaOnline Black Consumer Confidence Survey was conducted in September 2005 by Chicago-based Nia Enterprises, LLC through its NiaOnline Quick Response survey service (www.niaonline.com). All respondents to the survey were members of NiaOnline.com's Consumer Advisory Panel, which reaches over 125,000 black household members. The results are based on answers from 406 black respondents and 445 white respondents.

How do you feel about your job status for the
next 90 days?

BLACKS         May        June     July    Aug     Sept
Will be in         69%         69%      72%   71%     73%
current job

May not be in   31%         31%      28%    29%    27%
current job

WHITES          May        June     July    Aug    Sept
Will be in          71%         70%      73%   73%    73%
current job

May not be in   29%         30%      27%    27%    27%
current job

--------------------------------
Do you think you'll buy a big-ticket item in the next 90 days?

BLACKS        May      June      July     Aug    Sept
Yes                25%       29%      26%     30%     25%
No                  51%       55%      53%     52%    58%
Not sure          24%      15%       21%    18%    17%

WHITES
Yes                17%      16%      16%     14%   13%
No                  58%      60%       59%     63%    63%
Not sure        25%      24%      25%     23%    24%

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Click here for free delivery of the Target Market News Bulletin You'll receive news of breaking stories, exclusives, updates and headlines on the latest developments in African American marketing and media Black Stats Frequently requested data on African American consumers Black Buying Power: $679 Billion (2004) Black U.S. Population: 38.3 million Top Five Black Cities - New York - Chicago - Detroit - Philadelphia - Houston Top Five Black Metros: - New York-New Jersey - Washington-Baltimore - Chicago-Gary - Los Angeles - Philadelphia Top Five Expenditures: - Housing 110.2 bil. - Food 53.8 bil. - Cars/Trucks 28.7 bil. - Clothing 22.0 bil. - Health Care 17.9 bil. Click here for more stats from "The Buying Power of Black America." ______________________ Get quick access to key U.S. Census Bureau Data Click here to go to African-American Census Bureau data _____________________ Copyright `© 2005 by Target Market News Inc.` All rights reserved Business address: 228 S. Wabash Ave. Suite 210 Chicago, IL 60604 t. 312-408-1881 f. 312-408-1867 info@targetmarketnews.com	THE LATEST NEWS Despite post-hurricane economic woes, blacks remain optimistic on jobs (November 1, 2005) In spite of the tragic aftermath of hurricane Katrina, African-Americans have expressed optimism about their near-term employment status. Their plans to make big purchases, however, have dropped significantly. These attitudes are demonstrated in the results of the Target Market News/NiaOnline Black Consumer Confidence Survey taken in late September. In the survey, 73 percent of African-Americans said they will be in their current jobs for the next 90 days. This is an increase over August’s 71 percent, and is the highest percentage recorded since the survey began in May of this year. Among white respondents, 73 percent expressed confidence about their employment for the near future, a number that has remained the same since July. "Despite recent speculation about the economic effects of natural disasters and rising energy prices, blacks expressed continued and steady confidence in their job status," observed Cheryl Mayberry McKissack, president and CEO of Nia Enterprises in Chicago. When asked if they will purchase big-ticket items, such as a car or major appliances, in the next three months, only 25 percent of black respondents said they would. That is a decrease of five percent over the previous month’s 30 percent. The number of blacks planning to buy is still significantly higher than the 13 percent of whites who said they would make such a purchase. ”These numbers suggest that blacks were able to separate the tragedy that occurred in the Gulf States from their own circumstances,” said Ken Smikle, president of Target Market News. “They have had a reasoned reaction to the hysteria about how this unprecedented disaster will impact them personally. This optimism likely also had an impact on their unprecedented response of generosity to help the victims.” The latest Target Market News/NiaOnline Black Consumer Confidence Survey was conducted in September 2005 by Chicago-based Nia Enterprises, LLC through its NiaOnline Quick Response survey service (www.niaonline.com). All respondents to the survey were members of NiaOnline.com's Consumer Advisory Panel, which reaches over 125,000 black household members. The results are based on answers from 406 black respondents and 445 white respondents. How do you feel about your job status for the next 90 days? BLACKS May June July Aug Sept Will be in 69% 69% 72% 71% 73% current job May not be in 31% 31% 28% 29% 27% current job WHITES May June July Aug Sept Will be in 71% 70% 73% 73% 73% current job May not be in 29% 30% 27% 27% 27% current job -------------------------------- Do you think you'll buy a big-ticket item in the next 90 days? BLACKS May June July Aug Sept Yes 25% 29% 26% 30% 25% No 51% 55% 53% 52% 58% Not sure 24% 15% 21% 18% 17% WHITES Yes 17% 16% 16% 14% 13% No 58% 60% 59% 63% 63% Not sure 25% 24% 25% 23% 24% Go to Target Market News homepage	ONLY 3 WEEKS AWAY! Target Market News Presents The 2005 African- American Magazine Summit November 15th, 2005 Time Warner Inc. The Time & Life Building New York, N.Y. ______________________ The third annual all-day symposium for publishing and marketing executives to examine the latest research, trends and opportunities for African- American magazine publishers and advertisers Sponsored By Hear presentations from the following advertisers and publishers: Almae Publishers Representatives Black Enterprise Magazine Brand Jordan E. Morris Communications Essence Communications Footsteps Group Heart & Soul Magazine Johnson Publishing Co. Money Magazine OnyxStyle Magazine SpikeDDB Time Inc. 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