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Economic activity in OECD countries will gradually pick up steam over the coming two years, but the recovery will be uneven and unemployment will remain persistently high, according to the OECD’s latest Economic Outlook.

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.

In the construction sector, seasonally adjusted production fell by 2.1% in the euro area (EA16) and by 1.7% in the EU27 in September 2010, compared with the previous month. In August, production decreased by 0.4% in the euro area and remained stable in the EU27.

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.

eMarketer predicts US online holiday season sales, defined as all online sales in November and December, will build on a strong 2009 showing and rise a further 14.3% over the same period last year.

The frugal habits adopted by U.S. consumers during the economic crisis of 2008-2009 have continued and even deepened in some cases, and may be here to stay, according to the latest annual survey of 2,000 consumers by global management consulting firm, Booz & Company.