Labor Markets
Employment rose slightly overall. Eight districts reported modest job gains, while four reported no changes. Labor availability improved, though shortages persisted in certain sectors. Employee turnover decreased, with employers gaining more bargaining power. Hiring plans were mixed; some districts expected continued modest job gains, while others anticipated reduced hiring due to weaker business demand and economic uncertainty. Wage growth was moderate, with some districts noting normalization to pre-pandemic levels.
Prices
Prices increased modestly. Many districts reported consumer resistance to price hikes, leading to narrower profit margins as input costs rose. Retailers offered discounts to attract customers. Input costs, particularly insurance, continued to rise, though some construction material costs declined. Manufacturing raw material costs also saw decreases. Modest price growth is expected to persist…
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