Gary Siegel

While hailing recent progress in Europe’s financial mess, Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke warned Europe’s “situation remains difficult,” and the Fed will be prepared if U.S. markets need stabilization due to any contagion.

The Treasury Department is asking for public input about the possible issuance of Treasury floating-rate notes

Federal Reserve banks’ assets rose $491 billion in 2011 to $2.919 trillion, and their net income for the year was $77.4 billion, $75.4 billion of which went to the Treasury, the Fed announced Tuesday in the release of the 2011 combined audited annual comparative financial statements for the Fed banks.

Federal Reserve Banks assets rose $491 billion in 2011 to $2.919 trillion, and their net income for the year was $77.4 billion, $75.4 billion of which went to the Treasury, the Federal Reserve announced Tuesday in the release of the 2011 combined annual comparative financial statements for the Federal Reserve Banks.

The Treasury Department Tuesday auctioned $40 billion of four-week bills at a 0.100% high yield, a price of 99.992222.

The Treasury Department is asking for public input about the possible issuance of Treasury floating rate notes

The University of Michigan’s preliminary March consumer sentiment index reading fell to 74.3 from the final February 75.3 reading, market sources said.

Industrial production was unchanged in February after a revised 0.4% jump in January, while capacity use slid to 78.7% from a revised 78.8%, the Federal Reserve reported Friday.

The University of Michigan's preliminary March consumer sentiment index reading was 74.3, compared to the final February 75.3, the preliminary February 72.5, and the final January 75.0, according to market sources.

Industrial production was unchanged in February after a revised 0.4% jump in January, while capacity use slid to 78.7% from a revised 78.8%, the Federal Reserve reported Friday.

The Philadelphia region’s manufacturing sector expanded in March at a swifter pace than in February, as the general business conditions index climbed to 12.5 from 10.2 in February, according to this month’s Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Report on Business.

The Empire State Manufacturing Survey showed manufacturing activity has expanded in the region, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York reported Thursday as the general business conditions index improved to 20.21 in March from 19.53 in February.

The Treasury Department said it will auction $13 billion 9-year 10-month inflation-protected notes on Thursday, March 22.

The Treasury Department said Thursday it will auction $33 billion 91-day bills and $31 billion 182-day discount bills Monday.

The region's manufacturing sector expanded in March at a swifter pace than in February, as the general business conditions index climbed to 12.5 from 10.2 in February, this month’s Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Report on Business indicates.

The Empire State Manufacturing Survey showed the fourth straight month of expanded manufacturing activity expanded in New York State, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York reported Thursday as the general business conditions index improved to 20.21 in March from 19.53 in February.

The Treasury Department Wednesday auctioned $13 billion of 29-year, 11-month bonds with a 3 1/8% coupon at a 3.383% high yield and a price of 95.165202. The bid-to-cover ratio was 2.70.

The economy’s recovery “has been frustratingly slow,” although it showed “signs of improvement” recently, Federal Reserve Board chairman Ben Bernanke said Wednesday.

The Treasury Department Wednesday auctioned $13 billion of 29-year, 11-month bonds with a 3 1/8% coupon at a 3.383% high yield, a price of 95.165202.

The economy’s recovery “has been frustratingly slow,” although it showed “signs of improvement” recently, Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke said Wednesday.