FED'S BEIGE said U.S. economic activity edged up in recent weeks and inflation
rose while employment was broadly unchanged. The report said the six‑month
business outlook for expected growth was little changed as heightened
uncertainty and signs of weak consumer spending weighed on sentiment. Regional
contacts identified energy‑price increases tied to the Middle East war as a key
inflation driver, with spillovers to transport, packaging, groceries and
fertilizer.
