Beige Book Reads Like Goldilocks

U.S. economic activity continued to expand, generally speaking, between late August and early October, the Federal Reserve said Thursday in its regional survey known as the beige book.

The report, published eight times a year, summarizes business activity in the Fed's 12 districts. Four districts reported that economic growth firmed, while a couple said activity cooled. Other reports generally characterized growth as moderate or mixed.

Consumer spending increased more quickly in a number of districts, although several reports continued to say that home-related and automobile sales were sluggish, particularly for domestic cars, SUVs and light trucks. However, some areas reported increased sales of foreign cars and fuel-efficient vehicles. ...