One of the key economic events this week, in addition to the latest nonfarm payrolls report, is the publication of the so-called “Beige Book,” which is no less important for investors and traders than the unemployment report.

Why? Because the Beige Book is an analytical document issued by the US Federal Reserve System. Officially called “Summary of Commentary on Current Economic Conditions”, it provides a qualitative overview of the state of the economy. This document does not contain forecasts for the future, but it may help the FOMC conclude how the economy is developing and what measures need to be taken to achieve its inflation and employment goals.

In this article we will tell you in more detail what the “Beige Book” is and how it can be useful to players on the stock exchange.

What is the “Beige Book”?

The Beige Book provides information on current economic conditions in 12 regions of the United States. Accordingly, it is based on data obtained from the country’s 12 Federal Reserve Banks. The main value of The Beige Book is its ability to gain insight into current economic conditions in the United States.

The report is published two weeks before each meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), the Federal Reserve body that sets targets for monetary policy and interest rates.

The Beige Book is not just a set of data, but a qualitative analysis of the economic situation. It allows the FOMC, financial analysts and traders to:

  • Estimate the pace of business activity in each of the 12 Federal Reserve districts.
  • Analyze employment and hiring conditions.
  • Track changes in economic conditions since the previous report was published.
  • Explore the impact of factors such as commodity prices, inflation and exchange rates on the local economy.

This document is complementary to other forms of regional economic data because it contains both formal and informal information.

The FOMC uses the Beige Book to:

  • Assess economic conditions in various Federal Reserve districts.
  • Understand how key industries operate in different parts of the country.
  • Decide on the need for changes in monetary policy and changes in interest rates, which are actively monitored by investors.

For example, if the Beige Book shows signs of slowing in several Fed districts, the FOMC may take action to stimulate economic growth.

Feature of the “Beige Book”

The Beige Book is not simply an addition to the quantitative data used by the FOMC. It plays a unique role by providing qualitative analysis not available from other sources.

Unlike the Turquoise Book, which remains confidential, the Beige Book is available to the public. This allows everyone to become familiar with the information that FOMC members rely on when making decisions. Moreover, until 1985, The Beige Book was also not available to the general public.

What is the difference between the “Beige Book” and the “Tealbook”

The “Tealbook” contains confidential information to assist the FOMC:

  • Analyze current economic and financial conditions.
  • Make predictions for the future.
  • Consider different monetary policy options.

“Tealbook” is divided into two parts:

  • “Book A” (“Economic and Financial Conditions: Current Situation and Prospects”). Contains analysis and forecasts for both the US economy and the global economy and financial markets.
  • “Book B” (“Monetary Policy: Strategies and Alternatives”). Contains information about monetary policy options that the FOMC may consider at its upcoming meeting.

The main difference between the two documents is that the Beige Book is a qualitative analysis based on expert opinion, while the Tealbook is a quantitative analysis based on economic models. Using these two tools, the FOMC gets a complete picture of economic conditions, allowing it to make more accurate decisions.