Gary Siegel

The region’s manufacturing sector expanded modestly in April at a slower pace than in March, as the general business conditions index slipped to 8.5 from 12.5 in March, this month’s Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Report on Business indicates.

The composite index of leading economic indicators rose 0.3% in March following an unrevised 0.7% gain in February, the Conference Board reported Thursday.

The Treasury Department Thursday auctioned $16 billion of five-year inflation-indexed notes with a 0.125% coupon, a negative 1.080% high yield, an adjusted price of 106.389051.

The Treasury Department said it will auction $35 billion two-year notes on Tuesday, April 24, and $35 billion five-year notes on Wednesday, April 25.

The Treasury Department said it will auction $29 billion seven-year notes on Thursday, April 26.

The Treasury Department said Thursday it will auction $30 billion 91-day bills and $28 billion 182-day discount bills Monday.

The region's manufacturing sector expanded modestly in April at a slower pace than in March, as the general business conditions index slipped to 8.5 from 12.5 in March, this month’s Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Report on Business indicates.

The composite index of Leading Economic Indicators rose 0.3% in March following an unrevised 0.7% gain in February, the Conference Board reported Thursday.

The Treasury Department Tuesday auctioned $30 billion of four-week bills at a 0.065% high yield and a price of 99.994944.

WASHINGTON — Housing starts fell 5.8% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 654,000 in March from the downwardly revised 694,000 for February, originally reported as 698,000, the Commerce Department reported Tuesday.

The Treasury Department Tuesday auctioned $30 billion of four-week bills at a 0.065% high yield, a price of 99.994944.

Industrial production was unchanged in March, the second straight unchanged month, while capacity use slid to 78.6% from 78.7% last month, the Federal Reserve reported Tuesday.

Builders’ confidence in the market for new single-family homes declined as the National Association of Home Builders’ housing market index dropped to 25 in April from 28 in March.

The Empire State Manufacturing Survey showed manufacturing activity “improved modestly” in New York State, although it was weaker than in previous months, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York reported Monday as the general business conditions index declined to 6.56 in April from 20.21 in March. Economists surveyed by Thomson Reuters expected the index to slip to 18.00.

Calling the recovery “frustratingly slow,” Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland President Sandra Pianalto said Monday the pace of economic growth has picked up somewhat.

Calling the recovery “frustratingly slow,” Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland President and CEO Sandra Pianalto said Monday the pace of economic growth has picked up somewhat and inflation should remain around 2%.

Tender rates for the Treasury Department’s latest 91-day and 182-day discount bills were lower, as the three-months incurred a 0.080% high rate, down from 0.085% the prior week, and the six-months incurred a 0.135% high rate, off from 0.150% the week before.

The Treasury Department said Monday it will sell $30 billion of four-week discount bills Tuesday.

Builders’ confidence in the market for new single-family homes declined as the National Association of Home Builders' housing market index - a monthly gauge of builder sentiment – dropped to 25 in April from 28 in March.

The Empire State Manufacturing Survey showed manufacturing activity “improved modestly” in New York State, although it was weaker than in previous months, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York reported Monday as the general business conditions index declined to 6.56 in April from 20.21 in March.