Federal Reserve survey points to uneven growth across U.S.

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. economy grew unevenly in early fall, with more than half the regions of the country expanding modestly while others are struggling to grow.

A survey by the Federal Reserve released Wednesday found that seven of the Fed's 12 regions reported moderate improvements in business activity. Three regions -- Philadelphia, Richmond, Va., and Cleveland -- described economic activity as mixed or steady. Only two regions -- Atlanta and Dallas -- suggested economic growth was slow.

The survey indicated that the economy isn't weakening but is growing too sluggishly to drive down high unemployment, now at 9.6 percent. The jobless rate has been at or above 9.5 percent for more than a year.

"Hiring remains limited, with many firms reluctant to add to permanent payrolls given economic softness," the Fed survey concluded.

High unemployment is one of the Fed's biggest concerns. That's why Fed chairman Ben Bernanke and his colleagues are widely expected to launch a new program at their Nov. 2 and 3 meeting to bolster the economy. The Fed is expected to buy Treasury bonds in a bid to drive down interest rates on mortgages, corporate loans and other debt. The hope is that cheaper credit will persuade Americans to increase spending, which would help the economy grow and lead companies to hire more workers.

The Fed's survey, known as the Beige Book, will figure into Fed policymakers' discussions at the November meeting about how the economy is faring.

The region-by-region survey is based on information collected from the Fed's 12 regional banks on or before Oct. 8. It provides a more intimate look at the overall economy than broad statistics.

Consumer spending was flat to moderately positive in most Fed regions. The exceptions: the Richmond and Atlanta regions, where mall traffic and sales declined.

One of the main reasons why economic growth is so sluggish is because consumers aren't spending a lot. Battered by the recession, they are trying to repair their finances by spending less, saving more and trimming debt.

The Fed's survey noted that shoppers remain price conscious and are largely limiting purchases to necessities.

A weak housing market also restrained economic growth in most parts of the country. There were, however, some scattered reports of improvement. The Philadelphia region noted a pickup in sales of previously occupied homes. The Richmond, Dallas and Kansas City regions all reported increases in the sale of higher-priced homes.

Factories expanded production in most regions. The only exceptions were the regions of Philadelphia and Richmond, where manufacturing activity softened, the Fed said. Exports to foreign countries helped to boost manufacturing activity in Cleveland, Chicago and Kansas City.

A separate Fed report released earlier this week, however, found that production at factories throughout the United States declined in September. A burst of manufacturing activity occurred earlier this year as companies placed orders for all kinds of goods to replenish stockpiles that had dwindled during the recession.