Fed’s Beige Book Report Sheds Light On Direction of Economy – Domestic Economy
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The Beige Book is a report published by the Federal Reserve System that provides information about current economic conditions across the 12 Federal Reserve Districts nationwide. This past month, data revealed that economic activity increased slightly overall, with ten out of twelve Federal Reserve Districts reporting slight or modest growth. The other two Districts reported no change in activity.
A key economic indicator, retail spending, remained flat to slightly up, reflecting weakening discretionary spending and heightened consumer sensitivity to price increases. The manufacturing sector saw a slight decline in activity, as demand for machinery and metals decreased.
Prices continued to rise modestly, with many businesses facing higher expenses. Some companies reported that it has become more difficult to pass along these costs on to consumers, leading to smaller profit margins.
Financial conditions tightened slightly, with business loan demand remaining stable but consumer loan quality edging down with delinquencies increasing with certain loans.
Overall, the latest Beige Book release revealed a cautiously optimistic outlook for the U.S. economy, with modest growth and persistent inflation pressures in place.
Sources: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/publications/beige-book-default.htm
Print Version: Feds-Beige-Book-June-2024
