WASHINGTON (MNI) – The following is the second part of the text the
Dallas section of the Federal Reserve’s Beige Book report on current
financial conditions released Wednesday:

Services

Demand for business services was solid and outlooks were generally
more optimistic than in the last report. Staffing firms continued to
report high levels of demand, noting more direct hires than temporary
placements. Demand for skilled professionals, particularly IT workers
was strong, while orders from the banking sector and demand for clerical
staff declined. Legal firms reported steady demand, with an uptick in
corporate activity and continued strength in intellectual property,
energy and real-estate related services. Accounting firms reported
strong seasonal demand for tax related services. Reports from
transportation service firms were positive. Air cargo volumes rose,
while container shipments were flat during the reporting period.
Railroads noted a broad-based increase in shipments, with particularly
strong growth in petroleum products, motor vehicles and equipment,
nonmetallic minerals, crushed stone, metals and metallic ores. Shipping
service firms reported an increase in small parcel shipments from the
prior report.

Airlines reported passenger demand improved over the past six
weeks. Domestic demand and travel to Latin America were solid, while
travel to Mexico and the Pacific was weak. Contacts said business
travelers remained price sensitive and were purchasing restricted
discount fares. Responding firms expect passenger demand to remain
stable over the next three months. Construction and Real Estate Housing
demand continued to firm since the last report. Sales of existing homes
increased moderately and new home sales were flat to slightly up. Some
contacts noted that in January, which is usually a slow month, buyer
interest and activity was strong due to favorable weather and record low
interest rates. In addition, a fast-declining inventory of homes was
reported. Respondents expect the positive trend in sales to continue,
and outlooks suggest a modest increase in new home construction in 2012.
Apartment leasing activity remained strong since the last report, and
responding firms said Texas markets were outperforming the U.S. average.
Investor interest in sales and development of multifamily complexes
continued to increase. The pace of current multifamily construction was
said to be catching up with historical norms.

Nonresidential real estate activity continued to pick up, although
construction remained at low levels. Contacts said recent reports on
leasing for office and industrial space suggest moderate gains, thanks
to demand from the energy and high tech sectors. Investment sales
activity continued to improve, in part, due to very attractive interest
rates. Contacts were optimistic in their outlooks. Financial Services
Financial firms reported a modest uptick in loan demand. National banks
reported strength in middle-market and large corporate lending activity,
and several regional banks noted energy-related activity was robust.
Outlooks were generally more optimistic than at year-end 2011. Contacts
said loan pricing remained moderately aggressive, loan quality continued
to improve and problem loans were declining. Respondents noted they were
willing to make loans, and borrowers’ financial positions were
reportedly better than last year.

Energy

Energy-related service firms reported very strong demand over the
past six weeks, despite a small dip in the rig count due to low natural
gas prices. A few gas-directed drilling firms have announced drilling
cuts, but respondents expect oil-directed activity to offset the losses.
Oil service firms expect strong orders, high investment activity and
good overall prospects in 2012. Agriculture Recent rainfall eased
drought conditions in several areas, particularly in the northeastern
parts of the District. The rain helped refill stock tanks and benefitted
pasture conditions. Farmers were a little more optimistic about spring
planting. Demand for agricultural products remained strong. Contacts
said cattle prices climbed to record levels, largely due to tight
supplies. High commodity prices have helped agricultural producers’
margins, but elevated input costs have erased some of those gains.

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** Market News International Washington Bureau: 202-371-2121 **

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