Fed Reports on Area's Economics: Boston Called "Uneven"
       Economic activity continued to expand in all 12 of the nation's Federal Reserve districts, according to a report released today. The pace of growth in the Boston and Cleveland districts was characterized as uneven, compared to the moderate, solid, or well-sustained expansions reported out of New York, Richmond, Atlanta, Chicago, Minnesota, Kansas City and San Francisco.
       "Business contacts report continued growth in the New England economy, although some sectors are lagging the overall pace," Boston Federal Reserve officials wrote in their report. "Retailers cite healthy increases in sales, while manufacturers and software and information technology (IT) services firms indicate that results range from 'okay' to robust. Staffing firms also report increasing demand, but some say the pace is slower than last quarter. While comments about rising prices are less at the forefront than in the last report, high input costs remain a concern. Commercial real estate markets in the region remain sluggish."