Lindsay (NYSE: 200LNN) Dunsmuir (Reuters) – U.S. economic activity rose slightly from January to January The Federal Reserve said in a report on Wednesday that inflationary pressures remained widespread in late February, but businesses reported slower price gains, the Federal Reserve said in a report on Wednesday. They expect the rise to continue this year.
The U.S. central bank issued its latest temperature check on the state of the economy a day after Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said the labor Policymakers may have to raise interest rates, possibly faster than expected, after stronger-than-expected data on markets, consumer spending and inflation.
The Federal Reserve ended last year with Fastest speed hike has been working for many years to cool the demand of the entire economy and make the currency Inflation fell back to the 2% target. But after some weakness late last year, the economy has since rebounded and price gains have accelerated again.
The Fed survey, known as the “Beige Book,” largely mirrors recent data, with economic activity compared to late last year. It picked up somewhat, and the labor market was described as “solid.” But there were also hopeful signs, with supply chains easing further and price gains slowing in many parts of the Fed. “Looking ahead, contacts expect price increases to continue to slow this year, the report said,” There were also signs that some consumers were hesitating to higher prices, while companies’ ability to expand margins was weaker in previous months.
Contacts told the Chicago Fed, for example, that customers are increasingly unwilling to pay higher prices, while in the St. Louis Fed District, “companies, Smaller companies, in particular, reported accepting smaller profit margins rather than higher prices.”
That is, according to the survey , inflation remains “pervasive,” and “finding workers with the required skills or experience remains challenging” in the labor market.
Tight labor market Fed policy makers have been paying close attention to feedback from business contacts across the country as they try to trade without tipping the economy into recession Remove price pressure. The Fed’s benchmark overnight rate is currently at 4.%-4.% scope.
According to the Fed’s preferred measure, inflation was at 5.4% in January and the largest monthly increase since June 25.
made the Fed’s task even more difficult as employment surged in January and the unemployment rate fell from
Lowest level since . Fed policymakers have made clear that labor market shortages must ease to ease wage pressures. So far, labor availability has improved only slightly, the survey said, while the Dallas Fed reported that Texas Some small or rural school districts in the U.S. have transitioned to a four-day school week, in part due to staff shortages and the need to engage teachers. Overall wage pressures are “generally rising moderately”.
The U.S. Department of Labor reported earlier Wednesday that, Job vacancies fell less than expected in January and last month’s data was revised up, pointing to continued tight labor market conditions.
Labor The department is due to release its closely watched employment report for February on Friday.