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Unemployment rates were lower in June than a year earlier in 224 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 127 areas, and unchanged in 21 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Twelve areas recorded jobless rates of at least 15.0 percent, while nine areas registered rates of less than 5.0 percent. Two hundred seventeen metropolitan areas reported over-the-year increases in nonfarm payroll employment, 143 reported decreases, and 12 had no change. The national unemployment rate in June was 9.3 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 9.6 percent a year earlier.

Economic activity in the non-manufacturing sector grew in July for the 20th consecutive month, say the nation’s purchasing and supply executives in the latest Non-Manufacturing ISM Report On Business®.

Renewed economic worries had mortgage rates falling sharply, with the benchmark conforming 30-year fixed mortgage rate now 4.54 percent, according to Bankrate.com's weekly national survey. The average 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of 0.39 discount and origination points.

Consumer confidence fell for the second straight month in July, as the Discover® U.S. Spending MonitorSM dropped to its lowest level in more than two years and has dropped 11 points since January. The Monitor, a daily poll of 8,200 consumers tracking economic confidence and spending intentions throughout the month, now stands at 82.7, 2.4 points lower than June and the lowest level reported since March 2009, when it stood at 79.5.

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.

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.

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®.