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comScore, Inc. released data from the comScore MobiLens service, reporting key trends in the U.S. mobile phone industry during the three month average period ending July 2012. The study surveyed more than 30,000 U.S. mobile subscribers and found Samsung to be the top handset manufacturer overall with 25.6 percent market share. Google Android continued to lead among smartphone platforms, accounting for 52.2 percent of smartphone subscribers, while Apple secured 33.4 percent.

In July 2012, compared with June 2012, the industrial producer price index rose by 0.4% in both the euro area (EA17) and the EU27. In June prices fell by 0.5% and 0.8% respectively. In July 2012 compared with July 2011, industrial producer prices gained 1.8% in the euro area and 1.5% in the EU27.

The euro area (EA17) seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 11.3% in July 2012, stable compared with June. It was 10.1% in July 2011. The EU27 unemployment rate was 10.4% in July 2012, also stable compared with June. It was 9.6% in July 2011.

Unemployment rates were lower in July than a year earlier in 305 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 52 areas, and unchanged in 15 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Seven areas recorded jobless rates of at least 15.0 percent, while 18 areas registered rates of less than 5.0 percent. Two hundred seventy-six metropolitan areas reported over-the-year increases in nonfarm payroll employment, 93 reported decreases, and 3 had no change. The national unemployment rate in July was 8.6 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 9.3 percent a year earlier.

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index®, which had improved in July, declined in August. The Index now stands at 60.6 (1985=100), down from 65.4 in July. The Expectations Index decreased to 70.5 from 78.4. The Present Situation Index, however, was virtually unchanged, at 45.8 versus 45.9 a month ago.

Whether known for its long-standing role as a sponsor of the Olympic Games and for introducing the first revolving credit card platform back in 1958, Visa now has another achievement to add to its corporate legacy- the 2012 Harris Poll EquiTrend® Payment Card Brand of the Year distinction. 2012 marks Visa's eighth year at the top of the Payment Card category in this annual brand health assessment study from Harris Interactive.

After several years of dramatic changes due to legislation, increased fees and limited credit availability, there finally is stabilization in the credit card industry, and the stability is reflected in a third consecutive year of increased credit card customer satisfaction, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 U.S. Credit Card Satisfaction Study(SM).

comScore, Inc. released an overview of internet usage in Europe during June 2012, showing that 397.2 million Europeans went online for an average of 25.9 hours. The June report, which includes internet usage in 49 European markets aggregated into the European region and individual reporting on 18 markets, also highlights that web-based email is still popular among European internet users. Nearly 70 percent of the European internet audience accessed Email sites during the month, displaying a growth rate of 3.7 percentage points over the past year. UK and Spain ranked first for penetration, with web-based Email reaching 82.7 percent and 79.2 percent of their respective internet audiences.

The first estimate for the euro area (EA17) trade in goods balance with the rest of the world in June 2012 gave a 14.9 bn euro surplus, compared with +0.2 bn in June 2011. The May 2012 balance was +7.1 bn, compared with -0.9 bn in May 2011. In June 2012 compared with May 2012, seasonally adjusted exports rose by 2.4% and imports remained almost stable.

In the construction sector, seasonally adjusted production fell by 0.5% in the euro area (EA17) and by 1.7% in the EU27 in June 2012, compared with the previous month. In May 2012, production decreased by 0.2% in the euro area, but increased by 1.2% in the EU27. Compared with June 2011, production in June 2012 dropped by 2.8% in the euro area and by 5.8% in the EU27.