Fed beige book: economic activity up

Wednesday November 30, 2:53 PM EST

By Mark Felsenthal

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. economic activity increased across the country through mid-November but the housing market has cooled and high energy prices have raised concern about consumer spending and production costs, the Federal Reserve said on Wednesday.

"Consumer prices remained stable or experienced generally modest increases, but most districts reported increasing input prices, particularly of energy-related products, construction and raw materials, and transportation," the Fed said in its "beige book" summary of economic conditions.

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