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Recent research from Unisys Corporation shows that information technology (IT) executives view driving technology innovation as an imperative for them to help their businesses flourish in a global marketplace that daily grows more challenging and competitive.

According to the results of National Business Climate Survey showed that entrepreneur confidence index (ECI) gained 101.1 in the first quarter, increased 6.5 points over than the previous quarter.

The Conference Board Measure of CEO Confidence, which had declined to a historical low last quarter, posted a gain in the first quarter of 2009. The Measure now stands at 30, up from 24 last quarter (a reading of more than 50 points reflects more positive than negative responses). The survey includes about 100 business leaders in a wide range of industries.

The U.S. Import Price Index rose 0.5 percent in March, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported. A 10.5 percent increase in import petroleum prices more than offset a 0.7 percent decline in the price index for nonpetroleum imports. In contrast, export prices fell in March, decreasing 0.6 percent.

The 12 members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) pumped an average 27.98 million barrels per day (b/d) in March, as the oil producer group continued its efforts to slash oversupply and prevent oil prices falling further, according to a Platts survey of OPEC, oil industry officials and analysts just released. This is down 90,000 b/d down from February's 28.07 million b/d.

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index(TM) (LEI) for Korea increased 0.5 percent and The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index(TM) (CEI) for Korea also increased 0.5 percent in February.

Investment losses from the current recession have significantly eroded the funding status of public pension plans, affecting entities from school districts, to local governments, to state governments, and there is growing concern that increasing deficits in public plans will force taxpayers to make up for the shortfall.

U.S. small and mid-sized business owners intend to manage through the recession through reductions in capital spending and expenses amid divided opinions about the benefits of the federal stimulus program, according to the PNC Economic Outlook survey's newest findings.

Reversing seven months of crumbling confidence, Americans' economic enthusiasm rallied this month, according to the most recent results of the RBC CASH (Consumer Attitudes and Spending by Household) Index, which posted its first significant improvement since September 2008. Overall consumer confidence advanced 30.1 points, bringing the RBC CASH Index to 38.3 in April, compared to 8.2 in March. Consumer sentiment was bolstered by a 58.3 point increase in Americans' expectations for the future. Americans' attitudes about current conditions and investing also increased in the past month, but they continue to worry about jobs.

The current economic crisis has caused many companies worldwide to make changes in the benefits they offer their employees, such as cutting bonuses, pensions, 401(k) matches or salary increases. But what happens when the economic crisis is over – will these companies reinstate these benefits or not? At the moment, only a minority of Americans believe these benefits will be reinstated.