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Biotechnology has the power to improve human health, address environmental challenges, and change the way the world does business. A new OECD report, The Bioeconomy to 2030: Designing a Policy Agenda, examines the role of biotechnology in the global economy over the next two decades and outlines policies that could maximize its benefits.

While is still too early to assess whether it is a temporary or a more durable turning point, OECD composite leading indicators (CLIs) for April 2009 point to a reduced pace of deterioration in most of the OECD economies with stronger signals of a possible trough in Canada, France, Italy and the United Kingdom. The signals remain tentative but they are present in the majority of the CLI component series for these countries. Compared to last month, positive signals are also emerging in Germany, Japan and the United States. However, major non-OECD economies still face deteriorating conditions, with the exception of China and India, where tentative signs of a trough have also emerged.

The average daily value traded on the equity order books of London Stock Exchange Group during May was £8.2 billion (€9.2 billion). This was an increase of nine per cent on the average daily value traded during April this year, though down by 36 per cent compared with the same month last year. The average daily number of trades was 1.0 million, an increase of 14 per cent year on year, though down by two per cent compared with April.

Outsourcing firms handling call volumes from Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) continue to remain competitive and profitable with successful initiatives to contain cost during the global economic downturn. Outsourcing providers also cite competitive pressures and regulatory factors that may affect future, short-term business growth. The complete effect of the global economic downturn that began at the end of 2007 is that the new business pipeline from existing customers and prospects for several vendors has been promising. Past perceptions of loss of control over customer interactions are diminishing, as providers in this market deploy successful implementations, offer advanced services, and publish customer success stories.

The Spherion Employee Confidence Index increased 2.9 points to 48.3 in May. The Index, which measures workers' confidence in their personal employment situation and optimism in the economic environment, rose as fewer workers believe the economy is getting weaker and more workers are optimistic in their ability to find a new job.

Nonfarm payroll employment fell by 345,000 in May, about half the average monthly decline for the prior 6 months, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported. The unemployment rate continued to rise, increasing from 8.9 to 9.4 percent. Steep job losses continued in manufacturing, while declines moderated in construction and several service-providing industries.

A new study released by Bankrate, Inc. shows that although two out of three Americans polled know someone who has been laid off, eight out of ten feel "very" or "somewhat" secure in their own jobs.

The 2009 Debit Issuer Study, commissioned by PULSE, identified several positive trends for financial institution debit card issuers, including sustained debit transaction growth despite the recession. This edition of the comprehensive debit card industry study also found that use of PIN debit has increased, while fraud loss rates have declined.

NYSE Euronext announced trading volumes for its global cash equities and derivatives exchanges for May 2009. For the month of May 2009, all NYSE Euronext global trading venues experienced double-digit year-over-year trading volume growth, including a 40.4% increase in U.S. cash trading, a 14.6% increase in European cash trading, a 28.4% increase in European derivatives volumes driven by our Bclear OTC service and a 73.4% increase in U.S. equity options.

Finland has reduced pollution and improved its environmental quality through pioneering approaches like green taxes. However, it must do more to green its economy by reducing the amount of energy and materials used per unit of GDP, tackling climate change, and addressing health impacts of pollution and management of waste.