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According to a 2011 Demandbase National Marketing and Sales Study released by marketing technology company Demandbase and online business network Focus, a company’s corporate website is the top source of new sales leads—second only to personal connections and referrals, and more than seven times more effective than social media. However, study participants report that the website still vastly underperforms in terms of lead generation. And, while businesses feel that they understand their sales prospects (more than 60 percent report knowing or understanding their prospects well), they do not understand their prospects’ behavior on the very site that’s driving those sales leads.

Unemployment rates were lower in August than a year earlier in 262 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 84 areas, and unchanged in 26 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Nine areas recorded jobless rates of at least 15.0 percent, while 10 areas registered rates of less than 5.0 percent. Two hundred thirty-eight metropolitan areas reported over-the-year increases in nonfarm payroll employment, 127 reported decreases, and 7 had no change. The national unemployment rate in August was 9.1 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 9.5 percent a year earlier.

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.

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.

Freddie Mac released its U.S. Economic and Housing Market Outlook for September showing the effect of monetary policy to date and why coupling monetary with fiscal stimulus could accelerate growth in 2012 if the fiscal initiative operates in tandem.