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The EU's strategy for growth and jobs must pay more attention to social cohesion goals in the future, says a new report presented by the European Commission. The report from the Social Protection Committee – which brings together experts from each EU country – finds that social protection systems have helped shield Europeans from the worst effects of the financial crisis. But it concludes that social protection alone is not enough to prevent poverty and exclusion, calling for more emphasis on goals such as fighting child poverty and promoting active inclusion. Further modernisation of social protection needs to be fully articulated with growth and jobs strategies.

The European Commission has published the results of a public consultation launched in June 2009 on whether and how deadlines should be set for the migration of existing national credit transfers and direct debits to the new Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) payment instruments. Respondents generally expressed support for fixing at EU level a deadline for the full migration to SEPA. The Commission will discuss this matter with Member States before taking a decision on how best to proceed.

The upward trend in the Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) continued in September in both the EU and the euro area. The ESI rose to 82.6 (+1.6 points) in the EU and to 82.8 (+2.0) in the euro area. These levels, however, are still well below the respective long-term averages and the September increases were the smallest since the upturn started in April.

Employees report their bosses use threats and intimidation during the financial crisis, according to a national study of leadership funded by the University of Phoenix. “Questions get you written up and/or fired,” one worker said. The study’s results also showed employees increasing distrust what their bosses say.

The weekly average rate borrowers were quoted on Zillow Mortgage Marketplace for 30-year fixed mortgages decreased slightly from last week to 5.02 percent, down from 5.04 percent the week prior, according to the Zillow Mortgage Rate Monitor, compiled by leading real estate Web site Zillow.com®. Rates for 15-year fixed mortgages fell to 4.42 percent from 4.45 percent, and 5-1 adjustable rate mortgages fell to 3.94 percent, down from 4.00 the week prior.

The majority of private-equity industry executives polled say they expect economic conditions to keep deal activity and debt availability relatively low until near the end of 2010, according to a survey by KPMG LLP, the audit, tax and advisory firm.

Online advertised vacancies declined by 101,800 to 3,363,000 in September, according to The Conference Board Help-Wanted OnLine Data Series (HWOL)™ released.

A new nationwide survey issued by Citi revealed that consumers across all socioeconomic levels and ethnic groups have made permanent spending and savings adjustments to adapt to the current economic situation. According to the data, 63 percent of Americans surveyed said the way they spend and save has been forever changed as a result of the economic downturn. Only 29 percent said spending and saving would go back to the way it was before the recession.

AMR Research, the leading research firm focused on the global supply chain and its supporting technologies, released a quarterly risk report that found executives are more worried about the economic recovery than a continued recession in 2010.

From January to August, the profits of industrial enterprises above designated size (enterprises with an annual sales over 5 million yuan, same as follows) reached 1,674.7 billion yuan, decreased by 10.6 percent over the same period of the previous year.