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More than half of the region’s internet users will visit social networks this year.

Every day, Americans use online tools to gather information, pay bills, communicate with friends, and conduct business. Intuit Health’s second annual Health Care Check-Up Survey shows that they want and expect that same connectivity and convenience from their doctor’s office.

Consumer confidence declined slightly in February, as dampening consumer views about the state of the U.S. economy correlated with rising gas prices sparked by Middle East tensions, according to the Discover U.S. Spending Monitor.

U.S. investors are now as worried about government finance issues as they are about traditional economic concerns, according to the 2011 Wells Fargo/Gallup Investor and Retirement Optimism Index.

According to the Retail Consumer Report, commissioned by RightNow and conducted by Harris Interactive, retailers are using social media channels to bring back dissatisfied customers. The research demonstrates that by listening and proactively responding to complaints on the social web, retailers have an opportunity to turn disgruntled customers into brand advocates.

As a result of competing priorities during the financial crisis, benefits education and communications moved to the bottom of companies’ priorities for their benefits programs. According to The Importance of Employee Benefits Enrollment and Diversity Communications Strategies, the third in a series of research briefs stemming from Prudential’s fifth annual study of employee benefits, helping employees make better benefits decisions and addressing the diverse benefits needs of a company’s employee population have been at the bottom of the list of employer objectives, with plan sponsors ranking them at 35 percent and 28 percent respectively in terms of importance.

The euro area (EA17) seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 9.9% in January 2011, compared with 10.0% in December 2010. It was 10.0% in January 2010. The EU27 unemployment rate was 9.5% in January 2011, compared with 9.6% in December 2010. It was 9.5% in January 2010.

The economic recovery in the EU continues to make headway. After a strong performance in the first half of 2010, real GDP growth for both the EU and the euro area slowed down in the second half. The deceleration was expected and in line with the soft patch in global growth and trade that reflected the withdrawal of stimulus measures. Looking ahead, real GDP growth in 2011 is now forecast at 1.8% in the EU and 1.6% in the euro area, a slight upward revision compared to the autumn forecast. The improved outlook is supported by better prospects for the global economy and strong EU business sentiment. The recovery is expected to become more balanced towards domestic demand. Uncertainty remains high and developments across countries are uneven. The Commission's inflation forecast for 2011 has been revised up as compared to the autumn due mainly to higher energy and commodity prices. It now stands at 2.5% in the EU and 2.2% in the euro area.

Fund managers are bullish about the prospects for public equities and emerging markets in 2011, but have bearish views of nominal government bonds according to a survey of investment managers conducted by global professional services company Towers Watson. The survey, which was conducted at the end of 2010, indicates that low central bank rates and mild inflation will continue to stimulate economic growth, helping to avoid a double dip recession and feed the global recovery. The investment managers highlight unemployment as a major challenge for some developed economies, but see it improving during the year.

Consumer preference for online banking has been increasing for years, while in-branch transactions have declined. According to a Novantas study, the percentage of consumers who transferred funds online nearly doubled from 34% in 2005 to 67% in 2010.