HOUSTON (Houston Business Journal ) – The Texas economy showed signs of improvement in the past six weeks through November, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas’ Beige Book survey.

 Industries looking up include high-tech manufacturing, paper, petrochemicals, staffing, housing and energy.

 New and existing home sales improved over the six-week period, but the level of activity remains weak.

 The financial services and commercial real estate industries continue to report deteriorating conditions.

 Overall, prices remained steady during the period and construction costs low.

 The Beige Book survey evaluates economic conditions in the Fed’s 11th district, which includes the Houston area.