Economy still grew in winter, says Fed

WASHINGTON -- The Federal Reserve's new snapshot of business conditions around the country, released Wednesday, suggested the strains from a persistent housing slump and harder-to-get credit are affecting the behavior of individuals and businesses, making them more cautious. The report said the economy grew during the survey period, from mid-November through December but at a slower pace than the previous survey taken in the fall. The report bolstered enthusiasm among bullish investors who pointed to better-than-expected results Wednesday from JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Wells Fargo & Co.