(via WSJ.com) The economy strengthened across a broad swath of the country in recent weeks, further evidence of the recovery springing back to life after a winter lull.

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“Retailers reported better traffic coinciding with improved weather, manufacturers saw fewer disruptions and banks found stronger demand for business loans, according to the Federal Reserve’s survey of regional economic conditions released Wednesday. Separate data Wednesday showed industrial output increased for the second straight month in March, but residential builders started construction on fewer homes than a year earlier. Overall, the reports pointed to an economy poised for spring breakout after an unusually cold winter, but with pockets of weakness lingering in some sectors and regions. “The U.S. economy, as frustrated as all of us are with it, is moving forward–but moving forward slowly,” said Cliff Waldman, senior economist for the Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation.

Continue reading: “Economy Thawing Out, Fed ‘Beige Book’ Finds” (WSJ.com)

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