The Pulse

Rate of inflation doubles during the spring

Inflation is back. Driven by higher fuel prices, inflation in New England shot up to a 4.3% annual rate in the spring quarter. That is more than double the rate of 2%, the target rate for the Federal Reserve nationwide,…

Confidence in economy waning, companies cautious

New Hampshire businesses seem to be hitting the summertime blues. Over a two-week period ending June 28, the percentage of businesses describing their performance as above average or better tumbled 5 points, and only 47% of businesses said they were…

New England economy grew at 'sluggish pace'

The New England region was one of only four in the United States to experience economic expansion during October and early November, according to the latest "Beige Book" report of the Federal Reserve. The report said the outlook for future economic growth was "cautiously optimistic" for the six-state region. But it expressed ongoing downside concerns about the labor market.