The ING GAZELLE INDEX is a survey of CEOs of the nation's fastest growing African American-owned businesses. The Index in presented by ING's U.S. financial services operations. African American businesses included in the survey have between 10 and 100 employees and have experienced the fastest rate of employment growth over the last five years. The ING GAZELLE INDEX surveys the confidence, expectations and plans of the CEOs of these fast growing enterprises. The survey is part of ING's ongoing effort to assist consumers, businesses, policymakers and the media to better understand the success drivers and dynamics of one of the nation's fastest growing business sectors.

What the Index Measures

The ING GAZELLE INDEX is derived from averaging four responses - positive and negative - to questions about the business activity and confidence of African American-business owners. Four questions are asked each quarter:

1. Are economic conditions better today than six months ago?

2. In looking six months into the future, are you more optimistic or more pessimistic about the economy?

3. Is business activity in your company better today than six months ago?

4. As compared to six months ago, has employment in your company increased, decreased or remained the same?

The percent of positive and negative responses are used to derive an index value for each question. The ING GAZELLE INDEX is the average of the four index values.