Even with the market chaos and government bailouts, more than two-thirds of Wall Street professionals are still expecting a bonus this year, and 36% are expecting a bigger bonus than last year.
Consistent with last year's results, CEOs continue to report that growth is their top objective (84% of respondents). Customer satisfaction and margin improvement continue to round out the top three growth objectives. Conversely, cost reduction and working capital are the lowest growth objectives rated.
"And online behavior has become me more complex and sophisticated," says Karin von Abrams, senior analyst at eMarketer and author of the new report, UK Internet Users and Usage Update. "UK residents increasingly use the Internet as a tool for social and political action, as well as e-mail, shopping, watching videos and keeping up with the latest news."
Seventy-nine companies remained in the IPO pipeline by the end of the third quarter (30 September, 2008), according to the quarterly Ernst & Young US IPO Pipeline Report. Though this is slightly less than the 80 companies at the end of the second quarter (30 June, 2008), the numbers reflect 29 new registrations in the third quarter.
Data through August 2008, released by Standard & Poor's for its S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices shows continued broad based declines in the prices of existing single family homes across the United States, a trend that prevailed throughout the first half of 2008 and has continued into the second half.
The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index™, which had improved moderately in September, fell to an all-time low in October. The Index now stands at 38.0 (1985=100), down from 61.4 in September. The Present Situation Index decreased to 41.9 from 61.1 last month. The Expectations Index declined to 35.5 from 61.5 in September.
A new study released by Bankrate, Inc. reveals that only 1 in 4 Americans are very worried about investing in the stock market. Furthermore, the majority of Americans (59 percent) believe the economy will improve or stay consistent over the next year, showing a surprisingly hopeful attitude toward the country's economic future.
J.E. Robert Companies (JER)released the results of a recent survey conducted among US and European institutional investors looking at the current drivers for investment decisions. The majority of respondents are decision makers with leading pension funds, followed by executives from financial institutions, endowments and foundations. The key takeaway from the survey reveals the mandate for investing in commercial real estate is on the rise. Other notable factors cite the most attractive regions to invest in are: North America, followed by Asia and then Europe.
World markets have soared overnight; the Australian dollar has surged against the yen and the US dollar and our market is forecast to jump sharply this morning. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index jumped 91.56 points, or 10.79%, to 940.48 after sliding to the lowest level since March 2003 yesterday.
Insurers are beginning to seize a unique opportunity to help employees minimize the risks associated with Defined Contribution Plans such as 401(k) plans, and at the same time compete more effectively with mutual funds, according to a new study by Conning Research and Consulting.
