Figuratively speaking.

• Author: MacIntyre, John

* Percentage increase in foreign investment in U.S. real estate in 2003 over 2002: 59. Rank of the U.S. as the most stable and secure country for real-estate investment: 1. Of U.S. real estate as having the best opportunity for capital appreciation: 1.

* Percentage of urban Chinese who say the U.S. has a positive impact on their country's economy: 68. Of the British: 32. Germans: 22. Of Mexicans who say the U.S. has a negative impact on their country's economy: 63. Of the French: 57.

* Percentage of corporate boards in the U.S. that spent more time on corporate governance in 2003 than they did in 2002: 62. Of boards in Europe: 32. Of boards in the U.S. and Europe that increased compensation for board members in 2003: 20. Average percent increase in compensation for U.S. board members: 17.9. For European board members: 16.6.

* Percentage of total payroll costs in the U.S. that are accounted for by employee benefits: 39. Average amount...