The U.S. economy kept growing in September, the Federal Reserve said Thursday, as four regions reported growth had firmed while a few areas noted growth had cooled.

The remaining districts characterized growth as moderate or mixed, the Fed said in its Beige Book summary of economic conditions, which is composed of reports from the 12 regions covered by each Fed bank.

The latest report was prepared by the Richmond Fed Bank with data collected before October 2.

A number of regions saw tight labor markets and some shortages of skilled workers. Some areas reported wage pressures, although others said wage pressures were in check.

Also, while the majority of districts felt price pressures were contained, input prices increased in several areas and a few regions said businesses were passing higher costs on to consumers, the Fed said.

Fed districts reported widespread cooling of housing markets. Home prices fell, inventories rose, and sales softened in most districts, although some regions reported gains in residential activity, the Fed said.

At the same time, most districts reported stronger growth in consumer spending even though automobile and housing-related sales generally weakened.

The Fed’s rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee meets next on October 24-25 and financial markets are watching to see whether policy-makers will hold benchmark interest rates steady at 5.25% for a third straight meeting.