Gary Siegel

The University of Michigan's preliminary March consumer sentiment index reading was 76.2, compared to preliminary March 74.3, the final February 75.3, the preliminary February 72.5, and the final January 75.0, 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 Midwest Economy Index improved to 0.36 in January from an upwardly revised 0.20 in December, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, meaning growth was above its historical trend.

Manufacturing activity in the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City’s region “moderated slightly, but remained generally solid overall, with a continued positive outlook for future months,” according to the bank’s monthly manufacturing survey, released Thursday.

The Federal Open Market Committee may need to raise rates before 2014, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia president and chief executive officer Charles I. Plosser said Thursday.

The Treasury Department auctioned $29 billion of seven-year notes, with a 1 1/2% coupon, a 1.590% high yield, a price of 99.406396.

The Federal Open Market Committee may need to raise rates before 2014, since unemployment levels dropped and inflation rose, leaving the economy needing less monetary accommodation than it has had, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia President and Chief Executive Officer Charles I. Plosser said Thursday.

The Treasury Department said Thursday it will auction $31 billion 91-day bills and $29 billion 182-day discount bills Monday.

The Treasury Department said it will auction $26 billion year bills on Tuesday, April 3.

Manufacturing activity in the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City’s region “moderated slightly, but remained generally solid overall, with a continued positive outlook for future months,” according to the bank’s monthly manufacturing survey, released Thursday.

The Treasury Department Wednesday auctioned $35 billion of five-year notes, with a 1% coupon, a 1.040% high yield and a price of 99.805782.

The Treasury Department auctioned $35 billion of five-year notes, with a 1% coupon, a 1.040% high yield, a price of 99.805782.

The Treasury Department Tuesday auctioned $35 billion of two-year notes with a 1/4% coupon at a 0.340% yield and a price of 99.821248.

“Manufacturing activity in the central Atlantic region expanded in March for the fourth straight month, but at a more temperate pace than a month ago,” according to the monthly business activity survey conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.

The consumer confidence index dipped to 70.2 in March from an upwardly revised 71.6 last month, the Conference Board reported Tuesday.

Economic growth “remains disappointingly slow,” with continued “significant downside risks,” and if growth slows greatly, “more policy accommodation could be advisable,” Federal Reserve Bank of Boston president and chief executive Eric S. Rosengren said Tuesday.

The Treasury Department Tuesday auctioned $35 billion of two-year notes with a 1/4% coupon at a 0.340% yield, a price of 99.821248.

Despite recent improvement economic growth “remains disappointingly slow,” with continued “significant downside risks” and should growth slow greatly, “more policy accommodation could be advisable,” Federal Reserve Bank of Boston President and Chief Executive Officer Eric S. Rosengren said Tuesday, adding monetary policy should remain accommodative until the Fed’s dual mandate can be met in the near future.

The Treasury Department Tuesday auctioned $35 billion of four-week bills at a 0.065% high yield, a price of 99.994944.

Service sector activity “ strengthened in March,” according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond service-sector activity survey, released Tuesday.