About our Industry
2011 In Perspective
Preliminary estimates show that the Information Industry grew 3.5% in 2011 to $495 billion, compared with 2.8% growth in 2010 and a decline of 6.4% in 2009. Table 1 shows that the strongest growth was experienced in the Search, Aggregation & Syndication (SAS), Market & IT Research (MITR), and HR Information segments of the market. In keeping with the reduction in print, News Providers & Publishers experienced the most downturn, with a 7.0% decline in 2011.
Table 1 shows the total revenue and segment growth rate for each of the 11 information industry segments Outsell defines and tracks.
Table 1. Information Industry 2011 Revenue and Growth by Segments
The Impact of Currency Conversion
It is important to note that some of this growth is attributed to the appreciation that most currencies experienced against the US dollar. All major currencies with the exception of the Hong Kong dollar, Indian rupee, and South African rand appreciated against the US dollar in 2011. Table 2 plots the currency effects of major currencies against the US dollar.
Currency exchange rates have had various effects on revenue reported in US dollars:
- The British pound was most negatively affected from 2008 to 2010. After negatively impacting revenue by -7.3% in 2008, the British pound lost an additional 15.6% of its value against the US dollar in 2009 and 1.2% in 2010. In 2011, the pound rebounded and appreciated 3.7% against the US dollar.
- While the euro was boosting revenue reported in US dollars in 2008, the trend was reversed in 2009 and 2010, impacting results reported in US dollars. The Euro rebounding in 2011, appreciating 6.0% against the US dollar.
- The Japanese yen has appreciated in value against the Us dollar in each year from 2007 to 2011, appreciating 4.6% this past year.
Currency fluctuations continue to impact reported results worldwide. As an advisory firm, we provide industry sizing and forecasts that require us to choose a common currency. In this report and others, we have used the US dollar, however, we indicate both growth in US dollars and reporting currency to help our readers distinguish between true growth and currency exchange effects.
About Outsell Inc.
Outsell is the only research and advisory firm focused on advancing the publishing and information industries. Our international team provides independent, fact-based analysis and actionable advice about competitors, markets, operational benchmarks, and best practices, so our clients thrive and grow in today’s fast-changing digital and global environment.
This information was provided by Outsell, Inc., a Co-founder of BIIA www.outsellinc.com
Source: Outsell’s Report, “Information Industry Market Size and Share Rankings: Preliminary 2011 Results”
