The latest version is due at the top of the hour
Beige book prepared by Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago with data collected on or before April 7
- Manufacturing increased in most districts
- Consumer spending increased modestly in most districts.
- Labor market conditions continue to strengthen
- Credit conditions improved in most districts.
- Lending environment, competitive, margins, compressed.
- Low prices weighed on energy and mining outputs
- Business spending, real estate activity expanded.
- Retailers generally optimistic about Outlook for 2016
- Wages gained in every district except Atlanta. Several reported signs of pickup in wage growth
- consumer spending increased modestly in most districts; auto sales strong in several districts.
- Difficulty filling certain low and high skilled jobs in several districts.
- Activity and healthcare sector grew at solid pace in a number of districts
- Districts reporting on inventories indicated they were generally in line with sales.
- Capital spending increased in most districts with scattered reports of capital spending for capacity expansion