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Consumer prices in the OECD area rose by 1.6% in the year to July 2010, up from 1.5 % in June. This small increase mainly reflected developments in energy and food prices, which increased by 6.2% and 1.1% respectively in the year to July, compared with rises of 4.7% and 0.6% in June.

Experian®, the leading global information services company, announced the results of its monthly Business Benchmark Report. Findings from the July report show that the national average number of days that businesses paid their bills beyond contracted terms increased by 2 percent in July compared with June. When compared with six months ago, the average payment beyond contracted terms has increased by 3.3 percent. The July report also showed that the national average dollars delinquent and dollars severely delinquent (91 or more days) are up (6 percent and 13 percent, respectively) when compared with six months ago.

Charles Schwab, one of the country’s leading providers of savings, investment and income solutions for people in or transitioning into retirement, released the findings of its quarterly retirement pulse survey which reveals that baby boomers approaching retirement in today’s rocky economic conditions have maintained a surprisingly stable view about their retirement prospects.

As summer draws to a close, many Americans find that the economic situation they started the summer with is still the same. Their attitude toward the economy, as well as the President's handling of it, reflects the lack of change they are experiencing. Two-thirds of U.S. adults (68%) give President Obama negative ratings on the job he is doing on handling the economy while one-third (32%) give him positive ratings. These numbers are the same as they were in June.

Business owners are changing the way they approach their retirement in light of economic conditions. The latest Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index, surveyed in July 2010, shows many business owners are looking at a later retirement with 69 percent of business owners not planning to retire or cut back on work until age 65 or older. This is a 17 percentage point increase in this category from December ’07 and a 28 percentage point increase from September ‘05. Respondents saying they plan to retire earlier than full retirement age (between ages 60 and 64) decreased to 21 percent from 27 percent. Those anticipating retiring before age 60 decreased to 11 percent from 21 percent in December ’07.

Small business employment grew slightly in August, but at a declining rate compared to healthy gains made in January through April. While job growth slowed, hours worked and compensation per employee remained steady.

Employers in China have reported a 19% increase in MBA jobs in 2010, compared to 2009, significantly higher than the US and Western Europe where growth was 5% and 3% respectively, reveals the 2010/11 QS Top MBA Jobs and Salary Trends Report, conducted by MBA specialists “QS Top MBA”.

Working Americans are a mixed bag of emotions when it comes to job security, the economy and worker happiness.

While the economy is showing signs of improvement, U.S. employers remain concerned about the stability of the economy. This uncertainty is evident in the amount of money they are allocating toward pay raises and performance awards this year, according to a new survey by Hewitt Associates, a global human resources consulting and outsourcing company. Hewitt’s survey shows that companies are spending less on pay raises and variable pay awards in 2010 than they originally anticipated. But they are more optimistic about the future, with most expecting to bump up salary increases and variable pay awards in 2011.

After the surge in July, the Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) continued to improve in both the EU and the euro area, albeit at a slower pace. It rose to 102.7 (up by 0.6 of a point) in the EU and to 101.8 (up by 0.7 of a point) in the euro area. In both the EU and the euro area the ESI is above its long-term average.