In all, we anticipate GE to post strong earnings growth in the fourth quarter driven by industrial businesses, somewhat offset by the slowdown in Europe.

FORBES: GE's Industrial Businesses Will Help Growth Despite A Weak Europe

In the fourth quarter of 2012 industrial production fell by more than 2%, making it to the top of my list of economic indicators to watch.

FORBES: Will Germany Shatter Europe Again?

Only Slovakia has Baltic-style growth (an annual rate of 9.6% in the fourth quarter of 2006, with industrial production up by 17.4% year-on-year in January).

ECONOMIST: Eastern Europe's economies

He is also the biggest shareholder in France's fourth-biggest industrial group, Suez Lyonnaise des Eaux, with about 11.5%.

ECONOMIST: Closing the deals

We now sit in the midst of the fourth secular bear market since Charles Dow developed his famous index of industrial stocks in 1896.

FORBES: Dow Never To See 2009 Lows Again But Gold Bull Has Miles To Go

Industrial output in December rose 10.3 percent from the fourth quarter of 2011, while 2012 non-rural fixed-asset investment climbed 20.6 percent year-over-year, all in line with market expectations.

FORBES: China Hard Landing Dispelled Again, 4Q Earnings Up

This is the fourth straight quarter of positive net absorption, with more than 58 million square feet of industrial space being absorbed over the last 12 months.

FORBES: Commercial Real Estate Surges, Needs Corporate Hiring To Continue