Gary Siegel

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.

The Johnson Redbook retail sales index increased 4.3% in the week ended Dec. 24, according to the weekly retail sales report released Wednesday.

The Texas service sector expanded in December, though at a slower pace than it did in November, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas’ Texas Service Sector Outlook Survey, released Wednesday.

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

The Texas service sector expanded in December, although at a slower pace than it did in November, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas' Texas Service Sector Outlook Survey, released Wednesday.

Texas factory activity, as measured by the production index, declined in December but at a slower pace than in November, according to the monthly business activity survey conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, released Tuesday.

“Activity in the broad service sector gained momentum in December, bolstered by improvement in the non-retail services subsector,” according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond service-sector activity survey, released Tuesday.

“Manufacturing activity in the central Atlantic region firmed somewhat after stabilizing in November,” according to the monthly business activity survey conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.

The consumer confidence index surged to 64.5 in December from a downwardly revised 55.2 last month, the Conference Board reported Tuesday.

Tender rates for the Treasury Department’s latest 91-day and 182-day discount bills were higher, as the three-months incurred a 0.025% high rate, up from 0.005% the prior week, and the six-months incurred a 0.055% high rate, up from 0.040% the week before.

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

Texas factory activity, as measured by the production index, declined in December, but at a slower pace than in November, according to the monthly business activity survey conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, released Tuesday.

“Activity in the broad service sector gained momentum in December, bolstered by improvement in the non-retail services subsector,” according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond service-sector activity survey, released Tuesday, “However, total retail sales slowed and big-ticket sales weakened compared to November's survey. Shopper traffic flattened at retail establishments. Retail inventories increased more slowly than a month ago. At non-retail services firms, revenues rose sharply in December. Survey participants were upbeat about business prospects for the first half of 2012.”

“Manufacturing activity in the central Atlantic region firmed somewhat after stabilizing in November,” according to the monthly business activity survey conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. “The index of overall activity edged higher as positive readings for shipments and new orders offset a slight decline in the reading for employment.”

The consumer confidence index surged to 64.5 in December from a downwardly revised 55.2 last month, The Conference Board reported Tuesday.

The Chicago Fed Midwest Manufacturing Index dipped 0.1% in November to a seasonally adjusted level of 85.8, as two of the four regional sectors showed improvement, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago reported Tuesday.