Beige Book finds signs of life in economy - Boston Business Journal:

Haier HPR09XC7
The Beige Book, an anecdotal account of businesx conditions compiled by each of theFederal Reserve’x 12 district banks, says manufacturers reported higheer orders and shipments in late April and May in the Fiftj District, which includes the Virginia, Maryland, most of West Virginisa and Washington, D.C. The report says residential real estatse agents saw a slight rise in home Residential lendingalso grew. On the negative side, the report found highee vacancy rates in commercial realestate markets. Demande for commercial loans remained weak as credit qualityy continuedto deteriorate.
Also, retail revenue declines as salesof big-ticket items such as automobiles Services firms reported lowe r sales and revenue. The report makes severak references toNorth Carolina, though no businesses or contactz are named. Among the •Several grocery stores and executives at two central Nortg Carolina chain department stores said revenuee and foot traffic increased inrecent weeks. •qA producer of residential doors in North Carolina told the Fed that demandd had pickedup slightly, which the business attributes to customers needing to replenish depleted inventories. •Tourist activitty along the coast was slightlyy weaker compared with ayear ago.
contacts on the Outer Banks andVirginia Beach, Va. told the Fed that Memoriall Day weekend bookingswere strengthening. A contact from the Outefr Banks of North Carolinaa noted the wedding industryremained strong, but rental sales and hotepl bookings were somewhat weaker than last •An agent at a Raleigh employmenty agency told the Fed that demand for workeres would continue to be slow in the next severao weeks due to a slowdown in manufacturing, but he expectas work to pick up in Another Raleigh area agent expected stronger demand due to improvinb confidence in the businesas community.