Fed survey sees faster growth despite supply-chain problems

WASHINGTON — The U.S. economy grew at a faster pace in April and May despite disruptions that choked supplies to the nation’s manufacturers, the Federal Reserve reported Wednesday.

In the Fed’s latest survey of economic conditions around the nation, several of the central bank’s districts reported that increased vaccination rates and relaxed social-distancing measures were having a positive impact on the economy.

Offsetting those gains however, were headwinds coming from supply-chain problems.

The increase in vaccination rates helped to boost consumer spending, especially in areas such as leisure travel and restaurant dining. Meanwhile, factory output increased despite “significant supply chain challenges” that were continuing to disrupt production, according to the report.

The report also noted widespread examples of price increases, with the supply-chain disruptions adding to the pressures.

The Fed’s report, known as the beige book, is based on surveys conducted from early April to late May. The information will form the basis of discussion when Fed policymakers meet on June 15-16 to decide the future course of interest rates.

Most analysts believe that, based on the comments of Fed Chairman Jerome Powell and other Fed officials, the central bank will leave rates where they have been for the past year at a record low of 0% to 0.25% as the central bank continues to promote a strong rebound from the pandemic-triggered recession.

Housing remains one of the stand-out performers of the economy.

“Home builders often noted that strong demand, buoyed by low mortgage interest rates, outpaced their capacity to build, leading some to limit sales,” the report read.

The survey also found further employment growth, with the strongest gains coming in food services, hospitality and retail — all areas that were hardest hit during the pandemic shutdowns.

But many businesses also reported difficulty hiring new workers, especially low-wage hourly workers, truck drivers and skilled tradespeople, according to the survey.

The overall economy grew at a robust 6.4% rate in the first quarter of the year, and many economists forecast that growth could top 10% in the current April-June quarter. Growth for the full year could exceed 7%, which would be the best showing in nearly four decades.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/2SVF2aU