The Federal Reserve's January Beige Book is out.

The survey, covering the end of November and December, showed hiring in most areas was "muted", backing Labour Department data that showed a slowdown in job creation last month

Nine Districts indicated the local economy was expanding at a moderate pace; among these, the Atlanta and Chicago 

Real estate markets generally continued to improve, according to District reports. Although a few Districts indicated home sales or residential construction in some areas had slowed or declined in recent months, most cited increased residential sales activity and construction as well as rising home prices.

Read the full report at http://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/beigebook/files/Beigebook_20140115.pdf

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