Research

FMI, management consultants and investment bankers to the construction industry, announce the publication of the 2008 U.S. Construction Overview.

Nevada returned to the top as the nation’s fastest-growing state, with a population increase of 2.9 percent between July 1, 2006, and July 1, 2007, according to estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Arizona, fastest-growing between 2005 and 2006, slipped to second place.

This month, businesses will receive the 2007 Economic Census form, underscoring the importance of their participation in the U.S. Virgin Islands’ most comprehensive measure of business and industry taken every five years.

In January 2008, U.S. Census Bureau field representatives will collect information about how much Americans spend for groceries, clothing, transportation, housing, health care and other items from a sample of households across the country.

The Nielsen Company released a year-end look at the most popular trends among Americans during 2007.

Yahoo! Telemundo today announced the Top Trends in Search, as told through the millions of Yahoo! Telemundo searchers. Yahoo! Telemundo’s Top Trends in Search reveals a portrait of a politically-charged culture with celebrity and diet obsessions, a fascination for tech gadgets and a passion for soccer and baseball.

Hong Kong- Rising oil prices, the spread of the sub-prime credit issue in international markets, and the slow down in the US economy are all taking their toll on the confidence of the world’s consumers. According to the latest Global Consumer Confidence Study conducted by The Nielsen Company, more than a quarter of global consumers expect a global recession in 2008, resulting in a dip in confidence in 21 of the 48 markets Nielsen surveyed.

Hispanics in the United States are feeling a range of negative effects from the increased public attention and stepped up enforcement measures that have accompanied the growing national debate over illegal immigration.

A survey just released by Avanze, Inc. of San Diego, California in partnership with ImpreMedia provides an updated look at the state of mind of the Hispanic electorate, less than one month before the kickoff of the 2008 election cycle at the Iowa caucus. The survey polled Hispanic registered voters in the top five U.S. Hispanic states on issues that they consider key in their decision making on Election Day 2008.

Televisa Publishing’s analysis of BIGresearch’s October 2007 Consumer Intentions and Actions (CIA) study reconfirms that Hispanics are big Holiday spenders. According to the October CIA, Hispanics will be spending an average of $594.52 on gifts for the holidays, compared to $619.51 for the general market. Hispanics plan to purchase most of their holiday items at discount stores, followed by department stores, and clothing or accessories stores. Interesting to note, Hispanics are more likely than the general market to shop at department stores (61% vs. 58%), clothing or accessories stores (47% vs. 36%), and electronic stores (37% vs. 34%).

Today’s consumers spend significant time online, with 35.5% of all web users 18 years and older spending three or more hours per day on the Internet, and four out of every ten 18-34 year olds exceeding three hours daily. Interestingly, among web surfers 18 years and older an average of 15 minutes of every online hour is done from the workplace.

Whether it’s a Persian or a Papillion, Fido or Fluffy, pet owners believe their pets are members of their family. Almost nine in ten (88%) pet owners say their pet is a member of their family with just seven percent saying no. Women are more likely than men to believe this (93% versus 84%). Dog owners are slightly more likely (93%) than cat owners (89%) to consider their pets members of their family.