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The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for the U.S. increased 0.5 percent, The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index® (CEI) increased 0.1 percent and The Conference Board Lagging Economic Index® (LAG) increased 0.1 percent in October.

American consumers are going back to basics when it comes to their personal care, planning to spend more on shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant and shaving cream, while cutting back on items like perfume, makeup and lipstick. That’s according to a survey gauging 2011 demand for personal care products, undertaken by AlixPartners LLP, the global business-advisory firm.

Manufacturing sector multifactor productivity decreased at a 0.7 percent annual rate in 2008, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. This was the largest annual decline in multifactor productivity since 2001. Multifactor productivity measures the change in output per unit of combined inputs.

From December 2009 to March 2010 the number of gross job gains from opening and expanding private sector establishments decreased to 6.1 million, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Over this period, gross job losses from closing and contracting private sector establishments were 6.4 million. Job losses have steadily decreased from a recent high of 8.5 million in December 2008 to their lowest level since this series began in September 1992.

GE Capital’s latest survey of U.S. chief financial officers (CFOs) showed that middle-market companies believe the worst of the crisis is behind them and expect to grow at a low-to-moderate pace over the next few years.

Capital One Small Business Banking released the results of its third quarter Small Business Barometer survey. The quarterly survey polls small businesses across the nation, gauging their current financial condition and business projections for the next six months. Third quarter survey results suggest that many U.S. small businesses are slightly less optimistic about the strength of the economy and their own financial position relative to last quarter. While many small businesses polled report that they are experiencing stable economic conditions and steady financial performance for their businesses, a decreased percentage believe economic conditions are improving and fewer say that their financial position has improved since last year. Accordingly, an increased percentage of small businesses surveyed plan to hold spending on business development and investments at current levels rather than increasing spending. On the hiring front, however, an increased number of small businesses report plans to add positions over the next six months.

A “debt reduction sales tax” covering items from groceries to new homes and health care proposed by the Bipartisan Policy Center would result in massive job losses and prolong the nation’s economic downturn, the National Retail Federation said.

According to BDO USA, LLP, one of the nation’s leading accounting and consulting organizations, chief marketing officers (CMOs) at leading U.S. retailers expect Black Friday sales to increase by 3.8 percent and Cyber Monday sales to grow by 2.5 percent this holiday season. Black Friday and Cyber Monday expectations are more bullish this year compared to 2009 when both were expected to rise by 1.8 percent.

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.2 percent in October on a seasonally adjusted basis, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 1.2 percent before seasonal adjustment.

Real average hourly earnings for all employees fell 0.1 percent from September to October, seasonally adjusted, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. This decrease stems from a 0.2 percent increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), which offset a 0.2 percent increase in average hourly earnings.