This week, we'll be taking a look at BIGresearch's monthly Economic and Consumer Insights Executive Briefing. From February, today we look at

Personal/Financial insights:

Although the jobless rate in January (4.7%) was the lowest since July 2001, consumers don't hold much hope for this employment trend to continue...with recent announcements of large labor cuts at GM and Ford, 42.8% expect "more" layoffs over the next 6 months (up from 34.4% last month), "same" decreases to 46.8% (v. 52.9%), while "fewer" also declines to 10.5% (from 12.8%). Those concerned with becoming laid off themselves rises slightly from 4.7% in January to 4.9%.

With holiday bills rolling in, more plan to "pay down debt" (43.5%) over the next three months, compared to last month (42.3%). Well-intentioned consumers also plan to increase savings, now at 34.1% from 31.1% last month. Though with high energy costs eating into budgets, fewer contend they'll pay with cash more often (24.4%) and decrease overall spending (31.5%).

With the Dow Jones failing to remain at levels reached in early January, investor confidence in the stock market on slight decline...61.4% say they would definitely or probably invest, down about a point from last month (62.3%). Investors planning to buy stocks lower 1/2 point to 13.5%, while those planning to sell also decline 1/2 point to 6.1%.

As temperatures across the Midwest fall back to normal in February, the inevitable rise in home heating costs may be adding pressure to how drivers accommodate for fluctuating fuel prices. Last month, 31.4% said gas prices were having "no major impact" on spending, compared to 29.9% this month. In February '05, 48.4% cited "no major impact."

The Golden Arches continues to take a McBite out of the competition...almost one in four (24.6%) fast food connoisseurs head to McDonald's most often, up from 23.7% in November. Wendy's is second with 10.7%, dropping almost a point drop from November (11.4%). Burger King (9.1%), Taco Bell (6.2%) and Subway (5.4%) follow.

Coming off their first same-store sales decline in 18 years, Wendy's recently announced they plan to lure younger fast foodies into their stores with new offerings like cheap chicken sandwiches. This is likely to be a lucrative move for the old fashioned burger chain, as folks in the 18-24 and 25-34 year old groups tend to spend the most per month on fast food fixes ($50.71 and $51.03, respectively), compared to older segments (35-44: $48.68, 45-54: $42.18, 55-64: $31.71, 65+: $21.73).

On the full service front, Applebee's continues as the restaurant eaten at most often, 6.3% say so. Chili's (3.3%) and Denny's (2.8%) follow, while Darden's Red Lobster (2.7%) and Olive Garden (2.6%) round out the Top 5. About one in three (31.3%) indicated "No Preference."

What persuades a diner to consume at a particular full service restaurant most often? Not surprisingly, menu selection (44.7% say so), followed by food quality (42.0%), friendly service (41.1%), location (38.7%) and price (35.5%). The check comes to about $30 on average.