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The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association’s (ELFA) Monthly Leasing and Finance Index (MLFI-25), which reports economic activity for the $518 billion equipment finance sector, showed overall new business volume for March declined nine percent when compared to the same period in 2009. When compared to the prior month, the MLFI-25 reported new business volume increased by 34 percent, from $3.2 billion to $4.3 billion. In fact, March originations represent the strongest showing in that category thus far this year.

Mortgage rates showed little movement this week, with the average conforming 30-year fixed mortgage nosing higher to 5.22 percent, according to Bankrate.com's weekly national survey. The average 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of 0.42 discount and origination points.

China's apparent oil demand in March climbed 12.8% from a year ago to 35.25 million tonnes or about 8.12 million barrels per day (b/d), but fell below the all-time high of 8.5 million b/d estimated for February, according to a Platts analysis of official data just released.

Fitch Ratings says that premium automotive manufacturers are better positioned than volume, mass market, manufacturers to weather the sales decline expected in Europe in 2010 and to see a quicker gradual recovery of their credit profiles and a stabilisation of their rating Outlooks. Apart from Volkswagen Group (Volkswagen, rated 'BBB+'/'F2') whose Outlook is Stable, all European manufacturers rated by Fitch currently have a Negative Outlook.

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for France increased 0.2 percent and The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index® (CEI) decreased 0.1 percent in February.

A significant brain drain is being predicted at global retailers, according to a new study by the Korn/Ferry Institute entitled What's in store? The forecast for global retail.

Maxwell Drummond, a global retained executive search firm that caters specifically to the energy and natural resources sector, has completed its annual worldwide trends survey of energy company executives with results that reveal an industry focus on strengthening the workforce, preparing for economic recovery and developing unconventional resources.

As consumer demand for environmentally responsible products and services continues to grow, businesses can’t simply call themselves green - they must actually do their part. According to a survey by Manta, the largest website on and for small businesses, more than 90 percent of small businesses selling green products/services or implementing green practices in the workplace genuinely care about the environment. Forty-six percent of the 421 respondents also cited consumer demand as a major reason for “going green,” the second most popular reason for doing so. These results also suggest that green initiatives have become part of everyday business.

The 30-year fixed mortgage rate on Zillow Mortgage Marketplace is currently 4.9 percent, up two basis points from 4.88 percent compared to this same time last week. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate peaked last Friday at 4.98 percent before falling to 4.9 percent Saturday and remaining relatively level through Tuesday.

In February 2010 the seasonally adjusted current account of the euro area recorded a deficit of EUR 3.9 billion. In the financial account, combined direct and portfolio investment recorded net inflows of EUR 11 billion (non-seasonally adjusted). At the end of 2009, the international investment position of the euro area recorded net liabilities of EUR 1.5 trillion vis-à-vis the rest of the world (16% of euro area GDP). This represented a reduction of EUR 130 billion in comparison with the position at the end of the third quarter.