A survey from the Federal Reserve Bank said that, even as crude oil production stands still, the broad-based economic consensus was one of optimism. The bank said the number of hours worked across business sectors in Texas improved from a decline to near zero. The bank’s revenue index, which measures service sector conditions, increased from 9.9 in October to 13.7 in November. Positive readings generally indicate expansion. “Perceptions of broader economic conditions reflected more optimism in November,” the bank said in its latest outlook report . The bank last reported unemployment fell in all nine major metropolitan areas in the state last month. Keith Phillips, a senior economist at the bank, said there were broad indicators showing modest growth was likely in the months ahead. […]

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