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Oil demand and prices should continue to rise in the third quarter of 2011 according to indicators, even with ongoing uncertainty with respect to the economic recovery, deficit reduction initiatives in the US and the debt crisis in Europe.

A growing number of middle-class Americans are unhappy in their work and looking to make a change, according to the First Command Financial Behaviors Index®.

One in four American drivers could not pay for a car repair of $2,000 if faced with one today, according to the results of a survey released by AAA. The survey also found one in eight would be unable to pay for a repair bill of $1,000.

comScore, Inc., a leader in measuring the digital world, released the latest results from a study on the online banking market in Mexico. The study found that nearly 3 million online users in the country visited banking websites during June 2011, reaching nearly 15 percent of the entire online population age 15 and older. Grupo BBVA (which includes Bancomer.com.mx) led as the most-visited online banking property with 810,000 visitors, followed closely by Citigroup with 776,000 visitors. The study also found that although Mexico’s online audience skews largely younger, online bankers are predominately older in age with visitors age 55 and older being the most overrepresented banking audience segment.

CoreLogic, a leading provider of information, analytics and business services, released its June Home Price Index (HPI) which shows that home prices in the U.S. increased by 0.7 percent in June 2011 compared to May 2011, the third consecutive month-over-month increase. According to CoreLogic, national home prices, including distressed sales, declined by 6.8 percent in June 2011 compared to June 2010 after declining by 6.7 percent in May 2011 compared to May 2010. Excluding distressed sales, year-over-year prices declined by 1.1 percent in June 2011 compared to June 2010 and by 2.1 percent in May 2011 compared to May 2010. Distressed sales include short sales and real estate owned (REO) transactions.

Online advertised vacancies were down 217,000 in July to 4,154,500, according to The Conference Board Help Wanted OnLine® (HWOL) Data Series.

In June 2011 compared with May 2011, the industrial producer price index remained stable in both the euro area (EA17) and the EU27. In May prices fell by 0.2% and 0.3% respectively.

Consumer prices in the OECD area rose by 3.1% in the year to June 2011, compared with 3.2% in May - the first decrease in inflation since November 2010. This easing in the rate of inflation mainly reflected slower growth in energy prices, which increased by 13.6% in June, compared with 14.2% in May. Food prices rose by 4.0% in June, up from 3.9% in May.

Although small business owners are slowly proceeding with growth plans in 2011, 40 percent are now delaying their expectations of an economic rebound to the first quarter of 2012 or later, according to the most recent Business Confidence Survey released by Insperity, Inc., a leading provider of human resources and business performance solutions to America’s best businesses. Only 12 percent expressed a belief that an economic recovery is currently under way versus 23 percent in May. In summary, over 82 percent of respondents either delayed their expectations of an economic recovery to 2012 or later, or are unsure. Business owner sentiment returned to a wait-and-see tone similar to the November 2010 survey compared to last quarter’s somewhat optimistic note.

Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in July for the 24th consecutive month, and the overall economy grew for the 26th consecutive month, say the nation’s supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business®.