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Microsoft Corp. released its global "SMB Cloud Adoption Study 2011," which investigates how cloud computing will impact small and midsize businesses (SMBs) in the next three years. The research finds that 39 percent of SMBs expect to be paying for one or more cloud services within three years, an increase of 34 percent from the current 29 percent. It also finds that the number of cloud services SMBs pay for will nearly double in most countries over the next three years.

The majority of consumers around the world (60%) report they are very or somewhat satisfied with their healthcare coverage, according to new research with Survey Sampling International's global online panels. Germany (77%) and the UK (74%)- both of which have some form of universal healthcare coverage - show the highest levels of satisfaction. In contrast, Japan and China have the lowest levels of satisfaction, with just 35% of Japanese respondents and 39% of Chinese respondents saying they are very or somewhat satisfied with their coverage. The US results were most polarized. While 61% of Americans indicate they are very or somewhat satisfied with their coverage, 18%—more than any other country studied—fall at the opposite end of the spectrum, saying they are very or somewhat dissatisfied.

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for Mexico increased 0.8 percent and The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index® (CEI) increased 0.4 percent in January.

Global IPTV subscription had a record 34.6% growth in 2010 according to figures prepared by Point Topic and announced today by the Broadband Forum. 2010 was also a landmark year for broadband subscriptions - following the milestone half billion lines achieved in July 2010, subscriber figures continued to climb steadily and ended the year at 523,066,022 – a net addition of over 55 million lines during the year. With more and more devices coming online and broadband growing at such a steady rate, the timing could not be better for the release of BroadbandSuite™ 4.0, the IPv6 Toolkit of the Broadband Forum.

Rising energy prices stemming from turbulence across N. Africa and the Middle East will only have a modest impact on GDP and inflation in the near term, according to a new OECD report, “The Effects of Oil Price Hikes on Economic Activity and Inflation."

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for Australia increased 0.1 percent and The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index® (CEI) also increased 0.1 percent in January.

Governments looking to boost their economies, create jobs and meet environmental targets see eco-innovation as part of the solution. Some subsidise research and development. Others stimulate demand by labelling energy efficient appliances and regulating against environmentally harmful products. All are looking for efficient policies to make it work.

Fitch Ratings says that the safety issues around the Japanese nuclear plants affected by the 11 March earthquake and tsunami will result in additional scrutiny of new nuclear plant proposals in the EMEA region. Furthermore, negative public perceptions of the industry will also likely influence public policy across EMEA on existing nuclear operations and the permitting of new plants that are currently under review for approval. As a result, Fitch believes these developments may adversely affect the future credit profiles of nuclear plant sponsors and technology providers.

Recent reforms will still be insufficient to cover increased pension costs in the future, despite increases in retirement ages in half of OECD countries, according to a new OECD report.

The 11 March earthquake and tsunami in Japan, and the continuing nuclear crisis that they triggered, will have significant repercussions in global energy markets, according to international energy price reporting agency Argus.