Fed Brown Book: price pressures to stabilise or ease further in coming months

The Fed Beige Book noted that, on balance, prices rose moderately during the most recent reporting period. However, sales prices rose only slightly in all three regions. Increases in non-labour input costs were largely described as moderate to modest and moderating overall, although one district reported that input cost increases were accelerating. Freight and insurance costs continued to increase in some regions. In contrast, some districts noted moderating cost pressures for food, lumber, and concrete. Looking ahead, respondents generally expect price and cost pressures to stabilise or ease further in the coming months.