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From March to June 2009 the number of gross job gains from opening and expanding private sector establishments was 6.4 million, an increase of 674,000 jobs compared to the previous quarter, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. This is the largest over the quarter increase in gross job gains since the series began in 1992. The number of gross job losses from private sector closing and contracting establishments fell to 8.0 million in the second quarter of 2009.

The 30-year fixed mortgage rate on Zillow Mortgage Marketplace is currently 4.84 percent, up five basis points from 4.79 percent compared to this same time last week.

Data through December 2009, released by Standard & Poor's for its S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, the leading measure of U.S. home prices, show that the U.S. National Home Price Index fell in the fourth quarter of 2009 but has improved in its annual rate of return, as compared to what was reported in the third quarter.

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index®, which had increased in January, declined sharply in February. The Index now stands at 46.0 (1985=100), down from 56.5 in January. The Present Situation Index decreased to 19.4 from 25.2. The Expectations Index declined to 63.8 from 77.3 last month.

What a difference a year makes. Against the backdrop of one of the most volatile market environments in recent memory, risk management priorities for the largest U.S. defined benefit (DB) pension plans have expanded significantly in the last twelve months. According to MetLife’s second annual U.S. Pension Risk Behavior Index StudySM, a survey of 166 corporate plan sponsors from among the 1,000 largest U.S. defined benefit (DB) pension plans, plan sponsors are now taking a much broader view of the 18 investment, liability and business risks to which their plans are exposed. As a result, most plan sponsors believe that they’re doing a better job implementing risk management measures this year than they did last. Despite a broadened view and greater self-ascribed success, the gap between the risk factors plan sponsors identify as “important” – and their reported “success” at managing those risk factors – has widened considerably.

ForeclosureListings.com, confirmed that the national foreclosure rate in January was one foreclosure filing for every 466 U.S. households; the most severe problems continue in the West and in Florida. Unemployment, economic hardship, negative equity, and credit availability are driving the foreclosures.

The continuing sluggish economy is forcing a growing number of large U.S. employers to take more aggressive measures to control rising health care costs and motivate workers to take charge of improving their own health, according to a survey conducted by Towers Watson, a global professional services company, and the National Business Group on Health (NBGH), a non-profit association of large U.S. employers.

America’s small business owners remained cautious about the economy in February as they expect economic conditions to largely stay the same in the coming months, according to the Discover® Small Business WatchSM, which fell less than a point to 84.9 in February from 85.5 in January. The index is up 13 points over the mark of 71.9 registered in February 2009.

While the unemployment rate has started to show a slight decrease to 9.7%, and as companies appear to be shedding fewer jobs, there's increased belief that the worst of the recession is behind us and that the country is on the road to recovery. Tied to this movement, however, is heightened speculation that the year ahead may bring about a renewed "war for talent" and that the job market will start to see a shift in power from employer to employee. One of the key factors that could jumpstart this transition is employee attitudes towards their current jobs – that is, are American workers still in love with what they do or are they looking for a change?

On a seasonally adjusted basis, the January Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose 0.2 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Over the last 12 months, the index increased 2.6 percent before seasonal adjustment.