Gary Siegel

The consumer confidence index decreased to 79.7 in September from a revised 81.8 last month, The Conference Board reported Tuesday.

The Federal Open Market Committee should have voted to taper its asset purchases at its meeting last week, according to Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas President and CEO Richard W. Fisher.

Tender rates for the Treasury Department's latest 91-day and 182-day discount bills were higher, as the three-months incurred a 0.020% high rate, up from 0.010% the prior week, and the six-months incurred a 0.050% high rate, up from 0.030% the week before.

Although the labor markets have been improving the nation has yet to reach maximum employment, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta President and Chief Executive Officer Dennis Lockhart said Monday.

The unemployment rate decline "overstates" the improvement in the jobs sector and the economy's "forward momentum" has yet to show enough strength to indicate it can support job growth, so the time is not right for the Fed to taper, Federal Reserve Bank of New York President and Chief Executive Officer William C. Dudley said Monday.

The Chicago Fed National Activity Index for August soared to positive 0.14 from a revised negative 0.43 reading in July, while the three-month moving average (CFNAI-MA3) improved to negative 0.18 from a revised negative 0.24 in July, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago reported Monday.

The Treasury Department Tuesday auctioned $22 billion of 364-day bills at a 0.120% high yield, a price of 99.878667.

The Treasury Department today auctioned $35 billion of four-week bills at a zero high yield, a price of par.

Builders' confidence in the market for new single-family homes steadied as the National Association of Home Builders' housing market index remained at 58 in September.

Tender rates for the Treasury Department's latest 91-day and 182-day discount bills were lower, as the three-months incurred a 0.010% high rate, down from 0.020% the prior week, and the six-months incurred a 0.030% high rate, off from 0.035% the week before.

The Treasury Department said Monday it will sell $35 billion of four-week discount bills Tuesday.

The Empire State Manufacturing Survey showed "conditions for New York manufacturers improved modestly for the fourth straight month," the Federal Reserve Bank of New York reported Monday as the general business conditions index dipped to 6.29 in September from 8.24 in August.

Business inventories rose 0.4% to $1.66 trillion in July, while sales increased 0.6% to $1.29 trillion, the Commerce Department reported Friday.

The University of Michigan's preliminary September consumer sentiment index reading was 76.8, compared to the final August 82.1, the preliminary August 80.0, and the final July 85.1, according to market sources.

The Treasury Department Thursday auctioned $13 billion of 29-year 11-month bonds with a 3 5/8% coupon at a 3.820% high yield, a price of 96.536207.

The Treasury Department said it will auction $22 billion year bills on Sept. 17.

The Treasury Department said Thursday it will auction $30 billion 91-day bills and $25 billion 182-day discount bills Monday.

The Treasury Department said it will auction $13 billion 9-year 10-month inflation-protected notes on Thursday, Sept. 19.

August import prices held steady and export prices slid 0.5%, the U.S. Labor Department said Tuesday.

The Treasury Department auctioned $21 billion of 9-year 11-month notes with a 2 1/2% coupon at a 2.946% high yield, a price of 96.187171.