U.S. economic conditions were weak or got worse through May, but some areas of the country saw signs the contraction was moderating, a Federal Reserve report said on Wednesday.

Fed contacts in several regions said their expectations for the economy have improved, but that they still don't expect much of an increase in economic activity in 2009.

The Fed's Beige Book of reports gathered from the 12 Fed districts showed widespread economic weakness with a few glimmers of hope.

(Reporting by Mark Felsenthal)