Gary Siegel

The New York region's service sector activity "expanded at a robust pace," according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York's November Business Leaders Survey, released Thursday.

Gradually raising interest rates remains appropriate, including a 25 basis point increase in December, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston President Eric Rosengren said.

Business inventories were unchanged at $1.889 trillion in April, while sales were 1.4% higher at $1.390 trillion, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday.

The Empire State Manufacturing Survey showed "business activity continued to grow strongly in New York State."

Writing off soft inflation, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta President and CEO Raphael Bostic believes gradual rate increases will remain appropriate for the “next couple of years,” but tax reform "could move the needle."

The Treasury Department Tuesday auctioned $50 billion of four-week bills at a 1.045% high yield, a price of 99.918722.

Small businesses were more optimistic in October as sales expectations grew, according to National Federation of Independent Business.

The federal government ran a $63.2 billion deficit in October, the Treasury Department reported Monday.

Tender rates for the Treasury Department's latest 91-day and 182-day discount bills were higher on Monday, as the three-months incurred a 1.240% high rate, and the six-months incurred a 1.360% high rate.

The Treasury Department said Monday it will sell $50 billion of four-week discount bills Tuesday.