CONTACT: Jay S. Winuk

Winuk Communications

646-613-7720

[email protected]

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT TO SUPPLY GLOBAL

ECONOMIC ANALYSIS DATABASE VIA DATA DOWNLINK'S

.xls WEB-BASED SERVICE

First Time EIU CountryData is Available Online

 

New York, NY - April 14, 1999 - The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), the world's leading provider of economic, political and business analysis, is making its premium economic indicators and forecasts database available online for the first time via Data Downlink Corporation's web-based information service, .xls http://www.xls.com. The database, "EIU CountryData," provides historical, estimated and forecast data on 115 countries. It is available immediately to users of .xls.

EIU CountryData provides access to 272 separate economic data series and more than 750,000 individual data points, starting from 1980 and forecasting out to 2003. These are grouped under major headings such as economic structure, foreign payments, external debt stock, external debt service, external trade and others.

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Data Downloadable

Previously available only on CD-ROM, EIU CountryData via .xls allows the user to feed forecasts and data into their own planning models and software programs. Users can then manipulate, sort and display the data any way they choose. They can access data on a country-by-country basis as well as create customized reports containing user-defined economic series for a selection of countries or geographic regions.

"EIU CountryData is a powerful addition to our list of premium databases," said Steve Goldstein, founder and CEO of Data Downlink Corporation. "Its forecasting and historical data is particularly strong - comprehensive, consistent, reliable and easy to use. This database is the ultimate tool for global economic analysis." Goldstein noted that access to the database is available via .xls on either a subscription or a pay-per-view basis.

EIU CountryData is designed for use by economists, financial and asset managers, strategic planners, risk analysts, corporate treasurers, market researchers, business universities and virtually any company or executive with multinational interests. EIU's global network of more than 500 analysts and researchers continuously gather and update the data. All data are fully sourced and annotated, so the user can tell exactly where it originated.

Versatile Functionality

"Because of the nature of their business, executives often ask us to provide them with just the country data they need, when they need it," said Lou Celi, managing director of EIU Electronic. "Data Downlink's .xls service now provides the perfect solution to

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those customers who need immediate access to global economic data and forecasts over the Internet."

EIU CountryData provides versatile functionality to allow fast and easy manipulation of data. For example, users can:

• Look at one country across a huge range of variables, such as growth rate, private consumption, inflation, foreign debt and balance of trade;

• Compare countries against economic criteria and chart the results;
• Analyze a series of indicators with data starting from 1980 and forecasts going out to 2003, for any number of countries; and,
• Assess data using detailed sourcing information and notes.

The Economist Intelligence Unit is the business information division of The Economist Group. It serves the needs of companies establishing and managing international operations. For more than 50 years the EIU has been a leading source of information on business developments, economic and political trends, government regulations and corporate practice worldwide. For more information about EIU CountryData or other EIU products and services, visit the company's web site http://www.eiu.com or call Deirdre Daly at 212-554-0643 in the U.S., or Charlie Segal at 44-171-830-1183 in London.

Data Downlink Corporation, based in New York City and founded in 1996, provides a fully indexed, comprehensive library of premium financial and business

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information through its web-based information services, called .xls http://www.xls.com and compbook http://compbook.xls.com. Providing access to global company financial data and economic, demographic, industry, country and market-specific data, .xls allows

users to automatically download information directly into a Microsoft Excel or Lotus

1-2-3 spreadsheet. Compbook facilitates the selection, collection, presentation and analysis of a wide range of comparative company-oriented business information. For more information about Data Downlink and its 60+ different databases on .xls or its compbook service, visit the company's website http://www.xls.com or call Customer Service at 212-363-9620 in the U.S. or in London at 44 (0)20 3059 5765.

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