Fed Beige Book: War Heightens Uncertainty, U.S. Businesses Adopt Wait-and-See Approach

Odaily News The Federal Reserve indicated that economic activity continued to expand at a modest to slight pace across most of the United States, as the war with Iran introduced new uncertainties and drove up energy costs. In the Beige Book released on Wednesday, the Fed noted that overall price increases remained moderate, but energy and fuel costs rose "significantly" in all 12 Federal Reserve districts. The Fed stated: "The Middle East conflict is seen as a major source of uncertainty, adding complexity to business decisions regarding hiring, pricing, and capital investment, with many firms adopting a wait-and-see approach." The report, compiled by the New York Fed with data up to April 6, reflects the initial impact of the war on the U.S. economy. The oil price shock triggered by the conflict has pushed up gasoline prices, contributing to the largest monthly increase in U.S. inflation since 2022 recorded in March. Several Fed policymakers have signaled a preference for keeping interest rates stable for an extended period to assess economic data.