January’s Federal Reserve Beige Book, released Wednesday carried a more upbeat tone than recent beige books. The report which comes two weeks before the Federal Reserve's next scheduled policy meeting (Jan. 31-Feb. 1) painted an upbeat picture of conditions across the country.
The report showed that most districts continue to experience “modest” economic growth and some even cited a “turnaround” in manufacturing compared to the beginning of the year. Firms expressed optimism about growth in 2017, a Federal Reserve report said Wednesday.
Increases in input goods were more widespread than increases in final goods prices. Costs increases were reported for coal, natural gas, and selected building and manufacturing materials. Retailers still struggled to raise prices, and farm products “stayed flat at very low levels,” the report said.
Most districts said that wage pressures had increased, pushed higher in some instances by increases in the states’ minimum wages. The majority of districts reported that labor markets were “tight” and many thought this trend would continue in 2017 with wage pressures likely to rise.
Analysts expect the Fed to hold short-term interest rates at a range between 0.50% and 0.75% at the upcoming meeting. Federal-funds futures indicated just a 4 percent probability for a rate increase at the next policy meeting, according to data from CME Group.


RBA Signals Possible Rate Implications as Inflation Proves More Persistent
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low
Trump and Lula Discuss Trade, Sanctions, and Security in “Productive” Phone Call
BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes
Singapore Maintains Steady Monetary Outlook as Positive Output Gap Persists into 2025
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity




