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The Conference Board Leading Economic Index™ (LEI) for Australia declined 0.3 percent and The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index™ (CEI) increased 0.1 percent in October.

The weekly average rate borrowers were quoted on Zillow Mortgage Marketplace for 30-year fixed mortgages increased five basis points last week to 4.77 percent, up from 4.72 percent the week prior, according to the Zillow Mortgage Rate Monitor, compiled by leading real estate Web site Zillow.com®. Rates for 15-year fixed mortgages rose three basis points to 4.24 percent from 4.21 percent, and 5-1 adjustable rate mortgages increased four basis points to 3.85 percent, from 3.81 percent the week prior.

China's apparent oil demand in November soared 18.7% from a year ago as the country's economic recovery picked up momentum. November's surge in oil demand marked the third straight month that the world's second largest oil consumer posted double-digit yearly growth in oil demand.

Despite reports of growing protectionist and nationalistic sentiment prompted by the global recession, world business leaders believe that migration continues to be good for business and the economy, according to a survey conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit on behalf of Western Union. More than three in four corporate leaders, or 76 percent, say that foreign workers have a positive impact on the economy and nearly as many (71 percent) agree that foreign workers provide competitive advantages. Further, more than half, or 57 percent, say that the recession has not prompted changes to the hiring practices of foreign workers. Survey respondents included 501 global business leaders, of which 43 percent were C-level executives.

What has come to be termed as the "Great Recession" seems to have come to an end in the third quarter of 2009. The rebound in activity reflects improvements in the external environment, in financial conditions and in confidence. But the outlook remains uncertain as the rebound is underpinned by the massive support provided by governments and central banks worldwide which eventually will have to be scaled back and depends on the ability of the banking sector to increase the present levels of lending to the economy. The continued, albeit more moderate, increase in unemployment is a source of concern both socially and economically.

Like their larger counterparts, small businesses will be doing even more marketing online in 2010, according to studies from Vistaprint and Ad-ology.

Fitch Ratings expects a gradual recovery to continue for the global chemicals industry as global chemicals markets stabilized in the first half of 2009 and continue to rebound from record lows. In Fitch's North American & EMEA chemicals outlook reports, the company says the recovery in demand for chemical products will remain fragile next year with significant regional disparities in the growth trends reflecting varying economic expansion forecasts. Asia (China and India) and, to a lesser extent, South America (Brazil) are expected to continue driving global demand while anemic economic recovery will constrain prospects in the Western European and North American markets.

The continuing debate in the Senate on health care reform, and the sound and fury on the TV networks, talk radio and the blogosphere have left public opinion almost exactly where it was in October and November. The public is still split, with almost identical numbers of adults supporting "President Obama’s proposals for health care reform."

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index™ (LEI) for Mexico increased 0.4 percent and The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index™ (CEI) increased 0.1 percent in October.

Regional and state unemployment rates were generally lower in November. Thirty-six states and the District of Columbia recorded over-the-month unemployment rate decreases, 8 states registered rate increases, and 6 states had no rate change, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Over the year, jobless rates increased in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The national unemployment rate edged down in November to 10.0 percent, 0.2 percentage point lower than October, but 3.2 points higher than November 2008.