Gary Siegel

In the long-term, the effect of the Fed keeping rates low will have a positive effect on bank profitability, although some may be feeling pain now, Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke said Thursday.

The Fed has done its job, and until “fiscal and regulatory authorities” do theirs, monetary accommodation will continue, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas president and chief executive Richard W. Fisher said Wednesday.

Builders’ confidence in the market for new single-family homes improved but remained quite low as the National Association of Home Builders' housing market index — a monthly gauge of builder sentiment — gained to 29 in February from 25 in January.

The Empire State Manufacturing Survey showed the third straight month of expanded manufacturing activity expanded in New York State, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York reported Tuesday as the general business conditions index improved to 19.53 in February from 13.48 in January.

Builders’ confidence in the market for new single-family homes improved but remained quite low as the National Association of Home Builders' housing market index - a monthly gauge of builder sentiment – gained to 29 in February from 25 in January.

The Fed has done its job and until “fiscal and regulatory authorities” do theirs, monetary accommodation will continue, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas President and CEO Richard W. Fisher said Wednesday.

The Empire State Manufacturing Survey showed the third straight month of expanded manufacturing activity expanded in New York State, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York reported Tuesday as the general business conditions index improved to 19.53 in February from 13.48 in January.

The Treasury Department Tuesday sold $20 billion 64-day cash management bills, dated Feb. 15, due April 19, at a 0.120% high tender rate.

The Treasury Department Tuesday auctioned $40 billion of four-week bills at a 0.110% high yield, a price of 99.991444.

The Treasury Department said Monday it will sell $40 billion of four-week discount bills on Tuesday.

Tender rates for the Treasury Department’s latest 91-day and 182-day discount bills were higher, as the three-months incurred a 0.095% high rate, up from 0.080% the previous week, and the six-months incurred a 0.130% high rate, up from 0.100%.

Tender rates for the Treasury Department’s latest 91-day and 182-day discount bills were higher, as the three-months incurred a 0.095% high rate, up from 0.080% the prior week, and the six-months incurred a 0.130% high rate, up from 0.100% the week before.

The Treasury Department said Monday it will sell $40 billion of four-week discount bills Tuesday.

The University of Michigan’s final January consumer sentiment index reading was 72.5, compared to the final January 75.0 and the preliminary January 74.0 reading, according to market sources.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. international trade deficit was $48.8 billion for December, a 3.7% increase from the revised $47.1 billion deficit for November, the Commerce Department reported Friday.

Weakness in the housing markets has held back economic recovery, but no one thing will solve housing’s woes, Federal Reserve Board chairman Ben S. Bernanke said Friday.

Weakness in the housing markets have held back economic recovery, but “no single solution” will solve housing’s woes, Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben S. Bernanke said Friday.

The University of Michigan's final January consumer sentiment index reading was 72.5, compared to the final January 75.0, the preliminary January 74.0 reading, and the December 69.9, according to market sources.

The Treasury Department Thursday auctioned $16 billion of 30-year bonds with a 3 1/8% coupon at a 3.240% high yield and a price of 97.803940.

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