Texas Economic Indicators February 2013 via Dallas Federal Reserve

The Texas economy continues to expand, with employment growing at a modest 1.3 percent annual rate in December. Texas housing starts and existing-home sales increased in December, while single family construction permits declined. Texas exports ticked up slightly in November. Manufacturing activity rose sharply in January, according to the Texas Manufacturing Outlook Survey.

Texas gained 12,000 jobs in December after adding 23,500 jobs in November. Texas employment grew by 2.9 percent in 2012, adding 305,000 jobs. Current Texas employment stands at 10.98 million.

The Texas unemployment rate edged down to 6.1 percent in December from 6.2 percent in November. The Texas rate remains lower than the U.S. rate, which was 7.9 percent in January.

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