The U.S. Federal Reserve’s lastes Beige Book report, which tracks regional economic growth, isn’t terribly encouraging for the U.S. economic recovery.

It said that Federal Reserve district reports suggest that the growth of economic activity has slowed in recent weeks, with a good deal of variation across sectors. “Although Atlanta and San Francisco reported modest improvement, most Districts indicated slow and uneven economic growth, with mixed or scattered experiences across sectors of the economy. Boston and Dallas reported little change in the overall level of economic activity.”

It noted that retail sales were generally mixed, although auto sales were strong. “On the whole, manufacturing activity was sluggish, with a good deal of variation by industry and region,” it said. And, “Most Districts reported little or no gain in employment in July and August, although three noted that the demand for temporary workers has strengthened.”

In most Districts, the prices of inputs and final goods increased slightly or remained flat. Despite few signs of pressures on wages, there was widespread concern about the effect that rising health care costs might have on labor costs. Nearly all Districts reported strong residential sales and construction activity.