Beige Book: Economic growth modest in July, August, job growth was subdued

According to Federal Reserve’s Beige Book, economic growth was modest during July and August. It added that job growth was subdued. “Most Districts reported price growth slowed overall, decelerating faster in manufacturing and consumer-goods sectors,” the Beige Book noted.

Key Takeaways:

Contacts from most Districts indicated economic growth was modest during July and August. Consumer spending on tourism was stronger than expected, surging during what most contacts considered the last stage of pent-up demand for leisure travel from the pandemic era.

But other retail spending continued to slow, especially on non-essential items. Some Districts highlighted reports suggesting consumers may have exhausted their savings and are relying more on borrowing to support spending

Job growth was subdued across the nation. Though hiring slowed, most Districts indicated imbalances persisted in the labor market as the availability of skilled workers and the number of applicants remained constrained

Most Districts reported price growth slowed overall, decelerating faster in manufacturing and consumer-goods sectors. However, contacts in several Districts highlighted sharp increases in property insurance costs during the past few months. Contacts in several Districts indicated input price growth slowed less than selling prices, as businesses struggled to pass along cost pressures.

Nearly all Districts reported the inventory of homes for sale remained constrained. Accordingly, new construction activity picked up for single-family housing.

The US Dollar Index remained steady after the Federal Reserve’s Beige Book release, hovering around 104.80, marking marginal gains for the day.