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Unemployment rates were lower in February than a year earlier in 308 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 52 areas, and unchanged in 12 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Fifteen areas recorded jobless rates of at least 15.0 percent, while 7 areas registered rates of less than 5.0 percent. Two hundred eighty-four metropolitan areas reported over-the-year increases in nonfarm payroll employment, 77 reported decreases, and 11 were unchanged. The national unemployment rate in February was 9.5 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 10.4 percent a year earlier.

In February 2011 most MFI interest rates on new loans to households and non-financial corporations increased. MFI interest rates on new deposits showed mixed developments. MFI interest rates on outstanding amounts of deposits and loans remained basically unchanged.

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for Japan increased 1.0 percent and The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index® (CEI) increased 0.4 percent in February.

Manager bullishness for emerging market equities fell dramatically and reached its lowest level since March 2009, according to the latest Investment Manager Outlook, a quarterly survey of U.S. investment managers conducted by Russell Investments. While 51 percent of managers responding to the survey are still bullish on the asset class, this figure represents a significant decline from the 71 percent who were bullish in the December 2010 iteration of the survey. Non-U.S. (developed market) equities also saw a notable drop in bullishness, decreasing 9 percentage points from the last survey to 49 percent.

MasterCard Advisors SpendingPulse, a macroeconomic report tracking national retail and services sales, provided summary results for performance of specific U.S. retail industries in March 2011. Electronics sales and Department stores showed modest gains while Luxury and e-Commerce recorded strong growth. Some segments of the Restaurant sector also showed strength in March. The travel sectors, particularly airlines, saw improvement as well, although the growth in airline spending may be attributable in part to fuel surcharges.

In February 2011, compared with January 2011, the volume of retail trade fell by 0.1% in both the euro area (EA17) and the EU27. In January retail trade rose by 0.2% and 0.4% respectively.

In 2010, US retail ecommerce sales (excluding travel) rebounded from the recession, posting 14.8% growth, compared with only 1.6% growth in 2009. In 2011, online sales will reach $188 billion, although growth will moderate to 13.7%, resuming a prerecession trend of slower growth that signals a maturing sales channel.

Economic activity in the non-manufacturing sector grew in March for the 16th consecutive month, say the nation’s purchasing and supply executives in the latest Non-Manufacturing ISM Report On Business®.

Two-thirds of all CEOs surveyed believe the economy has improved during the past year and half expect further gains during the year ahead. The Vistage CEO Confidence Index was 105.2 in the 1st quarter of 2011, slightly below 106.3 recorded in the prior quarter but well above the 93.7 in last year’s 1st quarter survey. CEO confidence has more than doubled since the recession low of 48.7 two years ago. However, the small decline reflects a renewed uncertainty about the impact of events in Japan and the Middle East on energy costs, consumer spending and inflation. Overall, the majority of CEOs still expect the recovery to continue and their own businesses to continue to grow.

Growth in the G7 economies outside Japan appears to be stronger than previously projected, with accelerating private sector investment and trade boosting recovery, according to new analysis from the OECD.