Beige Book Finds Spending Slowed, Inflation Rose In March As Shortages Increased

Zubu Brothers ^ | 3-2-2022

[blam]

With Powell telling Congress that a 25 bps rate hike in two weeks is in the bag, moments ago the latest Fed Beige Book validated the cheerful economic outlook, noting that based on information collected before February 18, 2022, US economy activity expanded at “a modest to moderate pace since mid-January.” Of course, all this will change now following the Ukraine war but we’ll cross that bridge when the next Beige Book is released on April 20.

While covid is now a distant memory with mandates falling left and right as the US has a new crisis to obsess over, many districts reported that the surge in COVID-19 cases temporarily disrupted business activity as firms faced heighted absenteeism. Some Districts attributed a temporary weakening in demand in the hospitality sector to the rise in cases. Severe winter weather was also cited as disrupting activity. As a result, consumer spending was generally weaker than in the prior report.

Some other highlights from the report:
◾Reports on auto sales were mixed, while manufacturing activity continued to grow at a modest pace.
◾All Districts noted that supply chain issues and low inventories continued to restrain growth, particularly in the construction sector.
◾Reports from banking contacts indicated some weakening of financial conditions, although loan demand was generally unchanged.
◾Demand for residential real estate was generally strong, although many Districts reported no change in home sales due to seasonal trends and low inventories.
◾Agriculture reports were somewhat mixed, as some Districts experienced difficult growing conditions while others benefited from higher crop prices.
◾Reports on the energy sector indicated modest growth.

That said, the overall economic outlook over the next six months remained stable and generally optimistic, although reports highlighted an elevated degree of uncertainty.

Looking at labor markets, the Fed notes that employment increased at a modest to moderate pace. Widespread strong demand for workers remained hampered by equally widespread reports of worker scarcity, though some Districts reported scattered signs of improving labor supply. Many firms had difficulty maintaining their staffing levels due to high turnover; this challenge was exacerbated by COVID-19 disruptions in January, though workers and firms recovered more quickly than during previous waves. Firms continued to increase compensation and introduce workplace flexibility to attract workers—especially in historically low-wage positions—with mixed success. Contacts reported they expect the tight labor market and consequent strong wage growth to continue, though a few Districts reported signs of wage growth moderating.

Inflation, of course, remains the big problem, with prices charged to customers increasing at a robust pace across the nation. A few Districts reported an acceleration in prices. Rising input costs were cited as a primary contributing factor across a broad swath of industries, with elevated transport costs particularly significant. Labor cost increases and ongoing materials shortages also contributed to higher input prices. Firms reported an increased ability to pass on prices to consumers; in most cases, demand has remained strong despite price increases. Firms reported they expect additional price increases over the next several months as they continue to pass on input cost increases.

After several months of improvement (i.e. reduction) in mentions of shortages, the latest Beige Book saw an modest increase, rising from 55 in January to 60 in March.

Here are some examples:
◾Multifamily construction increased amid rising rents, but supply and labor shortages caused some delays
◾Worker shortages persist across a wide range of industries and occupations. Businesses in most major industry sectors plan to add staff, on net, in the months ahead.
◾Businesses noted shortages and exceptionally high costs of freight, as well as a wide range of supplies
◾The microchip shortage, which has kept inventories low, is not expected to abate until the second half of the year
◾Construction sector contacts expressed a good deal more optimism than in recent months about the general outlook, despite the ongoing challenge of elevated materials prices, supply bottlenecks, and shortages.
◾ A few firms indicated it had become slightly easier to hire, but for the most part reports of labor shortages remained widespread

Finally, here are the highlights by Federal Reserve District
◾Boston: Business activity expanded at a slight to modest pace. Labor demand remained very strong, but employment appeared roughly stable. Upward wage pressures remained substantial but eased for some positions. Prices increased moderately. Contacts were optimistic for spring but noted downside risks tied to inflation and supply chain disruptions.,br. ◾New York: Growth stalled in the latest reporting period, constrained by ongoing supply disruptions, worker shortages, and the Omicron outbreak. Moreover, unusually high absenteeism made it difficult for firms to maintain adequate staff. Businesses continued to report substantial increases in selling prices, input prices, and wages. Despite these challenges, contacts remained optimistic about the near-term outlook. ◾Richmond: The regional economy has grown moderately since our previous report. Firms across a variety of sectors reported modest to strong growth in demand, but many struggled to meet that demand due to shortages of labor and persistent supply chain issues. In many cases, higher costs to businesses were passed through to customers, leading to a continued elevated rate of price growth.
◾Atlanta: Economic activity expanded moderately. Labor markets remained tight and wage pressures grew. Nonlabor costs rose. Retail sales were strong. Leisure travel softened somewhat. Housing demand was robust. Commercial real estate conditions were mixed. Manufacturing activity was robust. Banking conditions were stable.
◾Chicago: Economic activity increased moderately. Employment increased strongly; consumer spending, business spending, and manufacturing grew modestly; and construction and real estate activity was up slightly. Wages and prices rose rapidly, while financial conditions deteriorated some. Expectations for 2022 agriculture income moved up.
◾St. Louis: Economic conditions have remained unchanged since our previous report. Employers reported robust wage increases and continued difficulties finding workers. Firms reported improved ability to pass on price increases and anticipate continued increases. The Omicron COVID-19 variant contributed to decreased activity in the transportation and hospitality sectors.
◾Minneapolis: The region’s economy grew moderately over the first weeks of the year. Price pressures remained strong. Though employment increased overall, many firms reported decreased staffing levels due to higher turnover and recruitment difficulty. Contacts generally felt that wage acceleration was driven by tight labor markets rather than inflation expectations. New entrepreneurs reported quitting their outside jobs or cutting hours.
◾Kansas City: The Tenth District economy expanded at a modest pace in the first two months of the year. The temporary surge in COVID-19 cases slowed spending and hours worked in the leisure and hospitality sector, but activity rebounded quickly and grew steadily across other services and manufacturing sectors. Prices grew at a robust rate, and nearly all contacts reported they expect cost pressures to persist throughout the year.
◾Dallas: Expansion in the District economy moderated, with the COVID-19 surge exacerbating labor and supply chain shortages and disrupting demand in certain sectors. Employment rose fairly robustly, and wage growth pushed to new highs. Supply chain issues continued to drive up costs, and prices rose at a rapid clip. Outlooks remained positive, though uncertainty spiked.
◾San Francisco: Economic activity strengthened moderately over the reporting period. Employment grew further while overall conditions in the labor market remained tight. Wages and price levels climbed notably. Retail sales increased strongly, while conditions in the consumer and business services sectors picked up following the peak of the Omicron wave. Lending activity was steady.

The full report can be found here.(Beige Book)

[blam]

"Don't Get Too Excited" - Bill Gross Warns Investors That Surging Inflation Will Topple Stocks

[Obadiah]

Two points. First, think people are a bit skittish about buying anything more than necessities. I know I’m thinking very long and hard before I actually make some purchases I’m contemplating. Things just generally seem pretty unstable.

And two, have you seen the price of lumber again? Local big box wants $85+ for one sheet of veneered plywood. Really need the wood, but not that bad!

[politicket]

Stagflation

[Chode]

Spending Slowed AS Inflation Rose, ya think?

[bgill]

Wow, not 48 hours into March and they’ve already rubber stamped it.