NavigatIIR: Manufacturing Signals Moderate Gains in Latest U.S. Fed Beige Book

SUGAR LAND--March 17, 2021--Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Manufacturing activity increased moderately from January to mid-February in most of the 12 U.S. Federal Reserve districts, according to the Fed's latest Beige Book survey of current economic conditions, despite challenges posed by winter power outages, COVID-19-related labor shortages, a shortage of semiconductor chips and rising steel prices. Most businesses remain optimistic regarding the next six to 12 months as COVID-19 vaccines become more widely distributed, but reports on consumer spending and auto sales were mixed. Within this article: Report on U.S. manufacturing activity