Economic conditions have been largely the same in the United States since early September, according to the Federal Reserve’s latest report.
The Beige Book—a summary of regional economic conditions across the 12 Federal Reserve districts—reported that much of the country had reached a standstill, with only two districts registering modest growth.
While inflation stabilized, input and selling prices rose slightly or modestly in most Fed districts. Regional economies reported growing “price sensitivity” among consumers.
Food prices for some items such as dairy and eggs “increased more sharply.”
“Contacts across several industries noted more acute pressures from rising insurance and healthcare costs,” the report stated. “Multiple districts reported that input prices generally rose faster than selling prices, compressing firms’ profit margins.”…