InvestorPlace Launches Real America Index to Measure U.S. Business Climate

ROCKVILLE, Md., May 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- InvestorPlace.com launched an innovative new feature called the Real America Index comprised of 50 stocks for 50 states to measure the U.S. business climate.

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"The Dow is widely cited, but it's a poor measure of our domestic economy," said InvestorPlace.com editor Jeff Reeves. "The 30 components are headquartered in the U.S., but many derive a majority of sales from international operations, and some even employ more people overseas. That's no way to measure our domestic economic might."

Here's how the Real America Index is calculated:

• One company was selected from each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.
• Each company has local impact, including factors like sizeable statewide employment, local philanthropy efforts and hometown pride.
• The component stocks collectively tell the tale of the broader U.S. economy.
• Selections each represent the American spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation.

An interactive map shows the short- and long-term performance of the component stocks, and each have an in-depth write-up explaining their local impact and broader significance in the U.S. economy.

Some of the featured Real America Index companies include:

• Ford for Michigan: The only one of the Big 3 domestic automakers to avoid bankruptcy, the company carries on the legacy of its iconic founder, Henry Ford, by continually rethinking its operations and product line.

• Nike for Oregon: Two avid runners from the University of Oregon created lightweight rubber insoles using a waffle iron and sold shoes out of the trunk of a car. Now Nike is an international sports powerhouse.

• Target for Minnesota: Started as a complementary storefront for a Dayton's regional department store, this retail giant found a niche and thrived even in the face of Walmart's breakneck growth.

Find the Real America Index here: http://www.investorplace.com/real-america-index/.

About InvestorPlace.com

InvestorPlace.com is a leading financial news and investing site, providing individual investors with access to free stock picks, mutual fund research, market news, and sharp, actionable commentary. InvestorPlace is dedicated to helping regular investors beat the market and retire in style — whether they have $1,000 or $1 million to invest.

InvestorPlace Media is privately owned by Avista Capital Partners, with offices in Rockville, Md., just outside Washington, D.C.

SOURCE InvestorPlace.com