Conditions Improved, Beige Book Indicates

All but one Federal Reserve District experienced improving economic conditions as most districts saw retail sales increase with signs of future growth, the Federal Reserve Board said yesterday in its Beige Book.

The labor market remained weak, though temporary employment gained strength, the report said.

The St. Louis district was the only one to report “softened” economic conditions. According to the Beige Book, St. Louis was also the only district where manufacturing orders, shipments and production did not increase, and it saw more plant closings than openings.

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