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As a result of soft sales and traffic levels and a deteriorating outlook among restaurant operators, the National Restaurant Association's comprehensive index of restaurant activity remained essentially flat in July. The Association's Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) – a monthly composite index that tracks the health of and outlook for the U.S. restaurant industry – stood at 99.4 in July, down 0.1 percent from June and its fourth consecutive decline. In addition, the RPI stood below 100 for the third consecutive month, which signifies contraction in the index of key industry indicators.

In August, the Dow Jones Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) rose less than one point signalling that the economic recovery continues despite a slow August.

MasterCard Advisors’ SpendingPulse, a macro-economic report tracking national retail and service sales, provided summary results for performance of specific U.S. retail industries in August, 2010. This month, sales in most categories recorded a slight year-over-year uptick compared to the year-over-year performance of the prior month. Nevertheless, the tendency has been more towards remaining stable and flat rather than towards growth.

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® which had declined in July, improved moderately in August. The Index now stands at 53.5 (1985=100), up from 51.0 in July. The Present Situation Index decreased to 24.9 from 26.4. The Expectations Index increased to 72.5 from 67.5 last month.

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.

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