Highlights of January's "Beige Book"

-- graphic arts online, 3/1/2001

• Most districts reported further deceleration in growth from previous survey six weeks earlier, but only Philadelphia district reported actual decline in economic activity

• New York and San Francisco districts indicated growth remained strong, but with some initial signs of softening

• Despite heavy discounting, nearly all districts reported lackluster retail sales growth during holiday season

• Districts reported weaker manufacturing activity in January survey than in report six weeks earlier

• Prices of most manufactured goods were flat to down despite higher costs for energy and other inputs