Gary Siegel

The U.S. services sector expanded at a slower pace in March as the non-manufacturing business activity composite index was 56.0 in the month, compared to 57.3 in February, on a seasonally adjusted basis, the Institute for Supply Management reported Wednesday.

The European Central Bank announced its Governing Council held interest rates at its latest monetary policy meeting Wednesday.

New York City business activity expanded at its fastest rate in 13 months as the current business conditions index improved to 67.4 in March from 63.1 in February, acccording to the Institute for Supply Management-New York’s Report on Business index released Tuesday.

The Federal Open Market Committee discussed ways to better communicate its policy decisions, deciding to wait to see if the changes already made help, according to the minutes of its latest meeting, which were released Tuesday.

Given current circumstances, very accommodative monetary policy is “essential,” Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco President and CEO John C. Williams said Tuesday.

The Federal Open Market Committee discussed ways to better communicate its policy decisions, deciding to wait to see if the changes already made help, according to the minutes of its latest meeting, which were released Tuesday.

The Treasury Department Tuesday auctioned $26 billion of 364-day bills at a 0.185% high yield, a price of 99.812944.

The Treasury Department Tuesday auctioned $30 billion of four-week bills at a 0.055% high yield, a price of 99.995722.

New York City business activity expanded at its fastest rate in thirteen months as the current business conditions index improved to 67.4 in March from 63.1 in February, the Institute for Supply Management-New York’s Report on Business index, released Tuesday, indicated.

The economy is improving “gradually” and despite uncertainty, there is evidence the recovery is becoming “self-sustaining,” Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland president Sandra Pianalto said Monday.

About 4,669,600 online job postings appeared on leading Internet job boards in March, up 246,300 from February, the Conference Board reported Monday.

The overall economy grew for the 34th straight time, while the manufacturing sector expanded for the 32d time, the Institute for Supply Management reported Monday.

The economy is improving “gradually” and despite uncertainty, there is evidence the recovery is becoming “self-sustaining,” Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland President and CEO Sandra Pianalto said Monday.

Tender rates for the Treasury Department’s latest 91-day and 182-day discount bills were lower, as the three-months incurred a 0.075% high rate, down from 0.095% the prior week, and the six-months incurred a 0.140% 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.

About 4,669,600 online job postings appeared on leading Internet job boards in March, an increase of 246,300 from February, the Conference Board reported Monday.

The overall economy grew for the thirty-fourth straight time, while the manufacturing sector expanded for the thirty-second time, the Institute for Supply Management reported Monday.

The University of Michigan’s preliminary March consumer sentiment index reading was 76.2, compared to preliminary March 74.3 and the final February 75.3, according to market sources.

The Chicago Purchasing Managers’ Business Barometer dipped to 62.2 in March from 64.0 in February, the National Association of Purchasing Management-Chicago said Friday.

The seasonally adjusted Milwaukee Report on Business dipped to 52.78 in March from 58.62 in February, according to the Institute for Supply Management-Milwaukee.