During 2010, Brazil proved itself as a major contributor to the global tourism economy. Perhaps the most fascinating information that came from our recent Tourism Outlook: Brazil report is that Brazilian Visa cardholders increased their international spending by an impressive 58 percent, totaling $4.8 billion. This increase positions Brazil as an emerging nation to watch for tourism spending in the coming years.

Current trends threaten to distort the delicate balance of the retailer/manufacturer relationship. An integrated model for managing at the shelf can help consumer packaged goods manufacturers and retailers maximize revenue, margins and in-stocks while removing costs across the value chain.

The worldwide automotive supplier industry is currently booming with average profit margins of 6.2% - higher even than their pre-crisis levels. In 2010, European firms enjoyed much bigger average EBIT margins (6.9%) than their North American and Japanese competitors. The most profitable sectors for suppliers are chassis, exterior and powertrain. Industry prospects remain positive for the coming years, although slightly more subdued than at present. The cooldown in the Chinese market, stagnating vehicle sales in mature markets and higher raw materials prices will push global profitability in the industry down below 6% again. These are the findings of "Global Automotive Supplier Study 2011", a joint study by Roland Berger and Lazard.

The worldwide healthcare market has gained considerable momentum over the past few years, with more people spending more money on health. The steady growth of the global population and the rise in healthcare spending per capita are driving a rapidly expanding healthcare sector. "Health - Made in Germany" is the official export initiative of the German federal government for the German healthcare industry. Germany Trade and Invest is implementing the program on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economics and Technology.

The worldwide market for Li-ion batteries for electric vehicles has taken off. It will reach almost USD 9 billion by 2015, and may even exceed USD 50 billion by 2020 in the best case scenario. This growth will, however, be accompanied by massive overcapacity. Over the next few years, we will see Li-ion battery production exceeding demand by more than twofold. Market consolidation will result.

El Instituto de Ciencias del Seguro de FUNDACIÓN MAPFRE ha publicado el estudio "El mercado español de Seguros en 2010", un informe que analiza la situación del sector y sus principales magnitudes, así como las distintas variables que inciden en su evolución. El estudio refleja que, a pesar del complicado entorno económico, el sector sigue mostrando un elevado superávit del nivel de solvencia (2,6 veces el mínimo exigido por el supervisor) y unos resultados muy favorables.

Las inversiones en banda ancha para móviles de cuarta generación (4G) aportarán al PIB estadounidense 53.000 millones de dólares y crearán 770.000 nuevos empleos antes del 2016. Por otra parte, países europeos como Francia, Alemania o Suecia ya cuentan con programas avanzados para aprovechar este nuevo mercado mientras que España aparece entre los países que más espectro de banda ancha tienen asignado al wireless comercial por detrás de Alemania, Estados Unidos y Francia. Es lo que se desprende del informe de Deloitte The Impact of 4G Technology on Commercial Interactions, Economic Growth, and U.S. Competitiveness.

Hydrocarbons continue to be the world's most economical, prevalent and reliable energy source. However global tensions occur when the economic, social and environmental impact of exploration and production activities are combined with market, geopolitical and technical risks. In fact, resource owners, Oil & Gas managers, regulators, investors, environmentalists and communities, frequently find themselves in opposing camps as they debate strategies to safeguard the reliable and sustainable supply of this fundamental resource (In previous analyses1 Arthur D. Little focused on the changing relationship between International Oil Companies (IOCs), National Oil Companies (NOCs) and host countries).

El presente Informe sobre la Distribución Comercial en España en 2010, pretende dar una visión de la evolución del sector, recogiendo los cambios ocurridos a lo largo del año en su estructura económica, en la gestión de las empresas, en las ayudas al sector comercial, así como en la regulación del mismo. Con él, se da continuidad a los informes anuales sobre la distribución comercial en España, que vienen  publicándose desde 2004, en el Boletín Económico de Información Comercial Española.

Fueled by rapidly rising consumption and rebounding capital markets, the past year has seen Media and Entertainment companies worldwide accelerate their change programs across several dimensions, in response to the pervasive impact of digital disruption. At the same time, they have gained renewed confidence as their focus shifts from survival to competition and growth.

China's once-overwhelming manufacturing-cost advantage over the U.S. is eroding fast. Within five years, rising Chinese wages, higher U.S. productivity, a weaker dollar, and other factors will virtually close the cost gap between the U.S. and China for many goods consumed in North America. A U.S. manufacturing renaissance could result.

Symantec acaba de publicar el informe técnico Libro Blanco: Una ventana a la seguridad de los terminales móviles, en el que examina en profundidad el enfoque de seguridad utilizado por las plataformas móviles iOS de Apple y Android de Google. El objetivo de esta evaluación técnica es ayudar a las corporaciones a entender los riesgos de seguridad en la utilización de estos terminales en la empresa.

A confluence of advancing mobile technology and shifting demographics is changing the entire shopping process -- from pre-store planning and in-store experience to post-purchase interactions between businesses and their customers. Informed by the expectations of younger and technologically savvy generations, mobile devices have the potential to rapidly transform how consumers see, hear, think, feel, and maintain a sense of awareness from shopping to product consumption. Today, mobile applications enable consumers in a range of shopping-related activities throughout the shopping process.

Healthcare mergers are unlike those in any other industry. High emotion, political undertones, access concerns and stakeholder influences all play a significant role in shaping the outcome of mergers in Healthcare. Around the world and across different social, political and economic environments, there are a number of key lessons that are cited by healthcare executives over and over again: focus on value, work with stakeholders, pay attention to planning, and plan for long-term success.

El porcentaje de españoles que no ha viajado nunca fuera de los límites territoriales de su provincia alcanza el 10%. Obviamente, existen importantes diferencias al comparar el comportamiento de los ciudadanos por regiones.  Según un informe elaborado por FUNCAS, la cifra asciende si hablamos de ciudadanos que no han salido de su comunidad autónoma, alcanzando el 15% de la población. En ambos casos, la edad del individuo, su poder adquisitivo y nivel cultural, el estado civil y, en su caso, la dimensión familiar de la persona, son factores que juegan un papel fundamental, condicionando la decisión y el lugar de los viajes.

Los precios de la banda ancha en España son los más altos de los países de la OCDE si se incluye el coste de línea y los séptimos más caros sin tener en cuenta esta carga, según consta en el último estudio de "Perspectivas de la Comunicación" de la OCDE. En concreto, la oferta más barata (entry price) de banda ancha en España asciende a 28,29 dólares (19,91 euros), sin la cuota de línea, y a 44,48 dólares (31,3 euros) incluyendo este coste.