Fed survey finds tepid growth as US economy battles pandemic

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Federal Reserve survey of business conditions around the country found that the U.S. economy grew at a “slight to modest” pace in September and early October, but also documented many areas of economic activity hobbled by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Fed report made public Wednesday said that the pace of activity varied greatly among sectors of the U.S. economy. Housing demand showed solid gains, helped by very low mortgage rates, but conditions in commercial real estate continued to deteriorate. That sector has been hurt by the closing of thousands of restaurants and other retail establishments.

The report, known as the beige book, said that the outlook among the central bank's business contacts remained generally optimistic but that respondents expressed “a considerable degree of uncertainty” about the future.

“Restaurants in many districts expressed concern that cooler weather would slow sales as they have relied on outdoor dining,” the Fed report said.

It said that banks were also worried about rising delinquency rates in coming months. Analysts are concerned about foreclosures on home mortgages and commercial real estate after support payments for individuals and businesses expired in late July or August.

The Fed report was based on responses gathered by the Fed's 12 regional banks before Oct. 9. The information will be used when the Fed holds its next meeting to set interest rates on Nov. 4 and 5, just after the election.

The expectation is that the Fed will keep its key policy rate unchanged at the current ultra-low level of 0% to 0.25% and keep signaling that it intends to keep rates at that low level through 2023

However, the central bank may feel the need to go even farther in providing economic support if a new wave of...