| As the holiday season winds to a close, consumer spending figures have stayed strong throughout the year despite creeping inflation and interest rates, which have raised the cost of financing purchases such as cars, appliances and furniture. In short: business is good. But for Texas' corporate executives, it doesn't feel like it. A report released this week from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas found business leaders believe the risk of a recession in 2023 is heightened after a year of roaring job growth, high inflation and interest-rate hikes. Fears about the shakiness of the economy are leading to less business investment, the report said. The Dallas Fed's general business activity index for the service sector fell to negative 19.8 in December from negative 11 in November, while the outlook uncertainty index stood at 22, compared to a series average of 13.2. If the percentage of firms reporting an increase in general business activity, outlook uncertainty or other metrics exceeds the percentage reporting a decrease, the index will be in positive territory. Read the full story here. | 
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