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Online advertised vacancies were down 43,500 in September to 3,947,100, according to The Conference Board Help Wanted OnLine® (HWOL) Data Series. The September drop follows a decline of 164,000 in August and a decrease of 217,000 in July. The Supply/Demand rate stands at 3.50, indicating there were 3.5 unemployed for every online advertised vacancy in August, the latest monthly data available for unemployment.

Globoforce®, the world’s leading provider of SaaS-based employee recognition solutions, announced the results of its latest Globoforce Workforce Mood Tracker™. The semi-annual survey provides key insights into the current pulse of the U.S. worker. According to the September 2011 report, a startling percentage of employed Americans are considering leaving their jobs despite an uncertain economy with a lack of new job creation. The September 2011 study also reveals a direct correlation between employees’ intent to look for a new job and the level of recognition they receive at work.

The benchmark conforming 30-year fixed mortgage rate inched higher to 4.30 percent, according to Bankrate.com's weekly national survey. The average 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of 0.37 discount and origination points.

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index®, which had declined sharply in August, remained essentially unchanged in September. The Index now stands at 45.4 (1985=100), up slightly from 45.2 in August. The Present Situation Index decreased to 32.5 from 34.3. The Expectations Index edged up to 54.0 from 52.4 last month.

Between 2000 and 2010, EU27 trade in goods with the 6 Eastern Partnership countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine) grew significantly, despite a distinct decline in 2009. From 2000 to 2008, exports increased from 8.8 billion euro to a peak of 37.1 bn. After falling to 23.2 bn in 2009, they partially recovered in 2010 to reach 29.5 bn. Imports followed the same pattern as exports. They grew from 7.8 bn in 2000 to 31.6 bn in 2008, then dropped to 19.0 bn in 2009, before increasing to 25.2 bn in 2010. As a result, the trade surplus of the EU27 with the Eastern Partnership grew from 1.0 bn in 2000 to 4.4 bn in 2010.

Fitch Ratings says the rating outlook for the UK life insurance sector remains stable, indicating that a vast majority of UK life insurer ratings are likely to be affirmed over the next 12-24 months.

America’s support for energy innovation has helped drive U.S. growth for more than 200 years, yet government support for new energy sources is much lower today than it has been at any other point in U.S. history according to a new report analyzing U.S. energy incentives.

Although the slow U.S. economic recovery and uncertainty overseas are sending shivers through consumers this fall, retailers should expect small gains in 2011 holiday sales, Deloitte forecast today.

Only 45% of non-interest checking accounts are free, down from 65% in 2010 and the peak of 76% just two years ago, according to Bankrate.com's 2011 Checking Study.

Fitch Ratings says that although it is more cautious about European car manufacturers' sales and performance in 2012, the agency believes that a recession-like scenario, such as in H208-H109, is unlikely for these groups in 2012.