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The weekly average rate borrowers were quoted on Zillow Mortgage Marketplace for 30-year fixed mortgages decreased last week to 5.58 percent, down from 5.72 percent the week prior, according to the Zillow Mortgage Rate Monitor, compiled by leading real estate Web site Zillow.com®. Meanwhile, rates for 15-year fixed mortgages fell to 5.01 percent from 5.18 percent, and 5-1 adjustable rate mortgages remained flat at 4.73 percent.

Oil prices have been soaring since 2003. In 2008, oil prices went up as high as $100, showing the vulnerability of nonproducing countries to dependency of the imports of crude. This situation forced Latin American nonproducing countries to reorient its investments towards the renewable energies, with the purpose of diversifying its energy matrices. The situation was different for producing countries with significant amounts of 3P reserves, because high oil prices increased their investments in exploration and production (E&P) activities.

With signs that an economic recovery might be nearing, a majority of U.S. employers plan to reverse some, but not all, of the changes they've been making to their pay, benefits and other HR programs, according to the latest update to an ongoing series of surveys by Watson Wyatt.

After a few months of drifting upwards, attitudes on the economy have moved back down this month. In May, one-quarter of Americans (25%) thought their household’s financial situation would be getting better in the next six months while three in ten (30%) thought it would get worse and 45% said it would remain the same. Now, just one in five (21%) say their household’s financial situation will get better while one-third of Americans (33%) believe it will get worse and 45% still think it will remain the same.

According to ForeclosureWarehouse.com, reports in the media have focused largely on small improvements in the real estate market in order to restore confidence to prospective homebuyers. However, careful analysis of the data suggests the sluggish market and reduced ome prices are not going anywhere any time soon.

The Air Transport Association of America (ATA), the industry trade organization for the leading U.S. airlines, reported that passenger revenue fell 26 percent in May 2009 versus the same month in 2008 - the seventh consecutive month in which passenger revenue has fallen from the prior year.

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index™ (LEI) for France increased 0.6 percent and The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index™ (CEI) decreased 0.2 percent in April.

As today’s economic environment puts pressure on older homeowners to find new sources of retirement income and stretch their savings, growing numbers are starting to tap their housing wealth, using home-equity loans or reverse mortgages. However, with little guidance, they are often unsure about how to include this asset as an integral part of their financial strategy, rather than as a last resort. Tapping Home Equity in Retirement: The MetLife Study on the Changing Role of Home Equity and Reverse Mortgages, issued today by the MetLife Mature Market Institute (MMI) and the National Council on Aging (NCOA), calls for a more comprehensive approach to ensure that this asset is used appropriately and effectively to deal with the growing uncertainties of retirement.

U.S. economic woes and stock market volatility have prompted changes in the investment and social behaviors of high-net-worth Americans, according to a new survey of CPA Personal Financial Specialists conducted by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

With many insurers and financial institutions looking to fund potential capital shortfalls by divesting non-core insurance businesses at attractive valuations, strategic buyers and sovereign wealth funds may be able to expand into new markets through acquisition, according to Deloitte's The 2009 Insurance M&A Outlook: Opportunity in an Uncertain Environment.