Gary Siegel

The U.S. services sector expanded at a quicker pace in December as the non-manufacturing business activity composite index was 52.6 in the month, compared to 52.0 in November, on a seasonally adjusted basis, the Institute for Supply Management reported Thursday.

The overall economy grew for the 31st straight time, and the manufacturing sector expanded for the 29th time, the Institute for Supply Management reported Tuesday.

Tender rates for the Treasury Department’s latest 91-day and 182-day discount bills were mixed, as the three-months incurred a 0.015% high rate, down from 0.025% the prior week, and the six-months incurred a 0.055% high rate, unchanged from 0.055% the week before.

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

The overall economy grew for the thirty-first straight time, while the manufacturing sector expanded for the twenty-ninth time, the Institute for Supply Management reported Tuesday.

The Midwest economy index improved to negative 0.15 in November from negative 0.30 in October, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, the second straight increase, but the fourth consecutive month below its historical trend.

The seasonally adjusted Milwaukee Report on Business rose to 57.8 in December from 56.7 in November, according to the Institute for Supply Management-Milwaukee.

New York City business activity expanded in December, the first expansion in three months, as the current business conditions index improved to 51.1 in December from 47.2 in November, according to the Institute for Supply Management-New York’s Report on Business current business conditions index.

The seasonally adjusted Milwaukee Report on Business gained to 57.8 in December from 56.7 in November, according to the Institute for Supply Management-Milwaukee.

New York City business activity expanded in December, the first expansion in three months, as the current business conditions index improved to 51.1 in December from 47.2 in November, the Institute for Supply Management-New York’s Report on Business current business conditions index indicated.

Manufacturing activity in the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City’s region “eased slightly” in December, while expectations for future activity improved, according to the bank’s monthly manufacturing survey, released Thursday.

Pending home sales surged 7.3% to a reading of 100.1 in November, its highest level in 19 months, from an unrevised 10.4% increase to 93.3 in October, according to a report released Thursday by the National Association of Realtors.

The Chicago Purchasing Managers’ Business Barometer dipped to 62.5 in December from 62.6 in November, the National Association of Purchasing Management-Chicago said Thursday.

The Treasury Department said Thursday it will auction $29 billion 91-day bills and $27 billion 182-day discount bills Tuesday.

Manufacturing activity in the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City’s region “eased slightly” in December, while expectations for future activity improved, according to the bank’s monthly manufacturing survey, released Thursday.

Pending home sales surged 7.3% to a reading of 100.1 in November, its highest level in 19 months, from an unrevised 10.4% increase to 93.3 in October, according to a report released Thursday by the National Association of Realtors.

The Chicago Purchasing Managers’ Business Barometer dipped to 62.5 in December from 62.6 in November, the National Association of Purchasing Management-Chicago said Thursday.

The Midwest Economy Index improved to negative 0.15 in November from negative 0.30 in October, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, the second straight increase, but the fourth consecutive month below its historical trend.

The Treasury Department today auctioned $30 billion of four-week bills at a zero high yield, a price of par.

Chain store sales grew 0.9% in the week ended Dec. 24, as the conclusion of holiday shopping boosted retail sales, according to the ICSC-Goldman Sachs Weekly Chain Store Sales Snapshot released Wednesday.