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In the third quarter of 2010, in both the euro area (EA16) and the EU27, the seasonally adjusted business investment rate remained stable at low levels, while the profit share grew.

Employers took 1,483 mass layoff actions in December involving 137,992 workers, seasonally adjusted, as measured by new filings for unemployment insurance benefits during the month, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Each mass layoff involved at least 50 persons from a single employer. The number of mass layoff events in December decreased by 96 from the prior month, and the number of associated initial claims decreased by 10,808. The number of events reached its lowest level since April 2008. In December, 319 mass layoff events were reported in the manufacturing sector, seasonally adjusted, resulting in 35,977 initial claims; both figures declined over the month.

Compensation costs for civilian workers increased 0.4 percent, seasonally adjusted, for the 3-month period ending December 2010, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Both wages and salaries (which make up about 70 percent of compensation costs) and benefits (which make up the remaining 30 percent of compensation) increased 0.4 percent.

The People's Republic of China (PRC) needs to reform its rural financial system if it is to tackle poverty in the countryside and allow agriculture and local businesses to play a strong, long-term role in the domestic economy, says a new book from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The worldwide mobile phone market grew 17.9% in the fourth quarter of 2010 (4Q10), a new quarterly high driven by smartphones. According to the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Mobile Phone Tracker, vendors shipped 401.4 million units in 4Q10 compared to 340.5 million units in the fourth quarter of 2009. Vendors shipped a total of 1.39 billion units on a cumulative worldwide basis in 2010, up 18.5% from the 1.17 billion units shipped in 2009.

In the third quarter of 2010, in both the euro area (EA16) and the EU27, the seasonally adjusted household saving rate continued to decrease, while the household investment rate remained unchanged at a low level.

Mortgage rates showed little movement again this week, with the benchmark conforming 30-year fixed mortgage rate nosing higher to 4.97 percent according to Bankrate.com's weekly national survey. The average 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of 0.44 discount and origination points.

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for the Euro Area increased 0.8 percent in December to 107.3 (2004 = 100), following a 0.6 percent increase in November and 0.2 percent increase in October.

Global investors are bracing for the end of China’s relentless economic growth, with 45 percent saying they expect a financial crisis there within five years.

Contrary to fears that recent health care legislation will trigger a rapid decline in employer-sponsored health coverage in the U.S., management consulting firm Booz & Company published new research that shows employer-sponsored plans will decline more slowly and less steeply than commonly thought. In fact, by 2016, when most of the major reform provisions are expected to be implemented, employer-sponsored insurance will still comprise more than 50% of the insured market, with 152 million members enrolled in group plans, compared with 62% of the market and 160 million enrolled today. However, the report also indicates that insurers need to prepare for fundamental changes in their business models in the foreseeable future and anticipates a shift toward new, more narrowly targeted health plans with specialized capabilities.