PORTLAND, Maine - The Federal Reserve's latest "Beige Book" assessment of economic conditions is out, and for New England, it finds some economic growth, along with scattered signs that the rate of growth is slowing.
The Federal Reserve says sales of retailers ranged from down slightly to up 2.4 percent over a year ago. Clothing and footwear are selling well, but furniture and other household goods are lagging.
The Fed contacted seven manufacturing firms, six of which said their business is improving.
Commercial real estate results vary. They were slower in Hartford, Connecticut, and Providence, Rhode Island, and more robust from Boston northward.
Looking at residential real estate, the Fed Beige Book reports that pending condo sales were "softer," with the exception of Maine and Massachusetts.
