Fed report says economy solid, notes disruption from immigration crackdown in Minnesota

try{ var _=i o; . if(!_||_&&typeof _==="object"&&_.expiry Gold prices rebound from previous session’s hefty drop, helped by weaker dollar Iran conflict latest: Hegseth says Iran conflict has "only just begun" Oil ticks up in seesaw trade as escalating Middle East conflict remains in focus Dollar slips, halting two days of gains, but safe-have demand remains high (South Africa Philippines Nigeria) Fed report points to positive economic outlook, stable employment By Economy Published 03/04/2026, 02:25 PM Updated 03/04/2026, 02:31 PM Fed report points to positive economic outlook, stable employment 0 CL 1.02% By Ann Saphir March 4 - U.S. economic activity rose a bit, prices continued to increase and employment levels were stable in recent weeks, the Federal Reserve said on Wednesday in a report that may leave central bank policymakers puzzling about the path of inflation as they prepare for their next policy meeting in two weeks. "Overall, economic expectations were optimistic, with most districts expecting slight to moderate growth in the coming months," the U.S. central bank said in its latest "Beige Book" report, a roundup of qualitative economic data from across the country including surveys of and interviews with business leaders and community organizations. "On balance, firms expected prices to rise at a somewhat slower pace in the near term," according to the report, which is designed to give Fed officials a granular look at the economy’s health in the runup to their eight yearly rate-setting meetings. The information in the latest report was gathered on or before February 23, just after the Supreme Court’s invalidation of many of President Donald Trump’s global tariffs and prior to the start of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. The Fed held its benchmark overnight interest rate steady in the 3.50%-3.75% range at its January 27-28 meeting, citing a stabilizing labor market and continued elevated inflation as reasons to pause a string of interest rate cuts in the l...