US youth underemployment has risen to approximately 17%, reaching levels last seen during the 2020 crisis, the Great Financial Crisis, and the 2001 recession. Small businesses are increasingly facing poor sales, with 11% citing it as their most important problem in July, the highest share since 2020 and double the figure from seven months prior. This trend is a leading indicator suggesting the overall US unemployment rate could exceed 5% in the coming months. Consumer sentiment is declining, with about 62% of Americans expecting unemployment to worsen over the next year, the highest level of pessimism since the Great Recession. Retail sales showed mixed signals, with nominal retail sales growing 3.9% year-over-year in July and control group retail sales rising for the third consecutive month, but sales growth in restaurants and bars has slowed significantly. Consumers' buying conditions for vehicles, houses, and large household goods deteriorated in August, according to University of Michigan data. Additionally, 49% of Americans believe the economy is getting worse, while 36% think it is improving. On the political front, Donald Trump's approval rating remains low, with 51% of voters disapproving and his net approval ratings negative across key issues including the economy (-5%) and tariffs (-12%). Favorability ratings for foreign countries show Canada (+61%) and the United Kingdom (+58%) with the highest positive net favorability, while China (-43%) and Russia (-60%) have the lowest.