Gary Siegel

“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.

The University of Michigan’s final December consumer sentiment index reading was 69.9, up from the preliminary December 67.7 and the final November 64.1, according to market sources.

The composite index of leading economic indicators rose 0.5% in November following a 0.9% surge in October, the Conference Board reported Thursday.

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

The composite index of Leading Economic Indicators rose 0.5% in November following a 0.9% surge in October, the Conference Board reported Thursday.

The University of Michigan's final December consumer sentiment index reading was 69.9, compared to the preliminary December 67.7, the final November 64.1, the preliminary November 64.2, and the final October 60.9, according to market sources.

The Chicago Fed National Activity Index for November widened to negative 0.37 from a revised negative 0.11 reading in October, while the three-month moving average (CFNAI-MA3) held at negative 0.24 in November, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago reported Thursday.

Mortgage application volume decreased 2.6% in the week ended Dec. 16 despite mortgage rates again dropping to year lows, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s weekly mortgage applications survey.

The Treasury Wednesday auctioned $29 billion of seven-year notes with a 1 3/8% coupon, a 1.430% high yield and a price of 99.635210. The bid-to-cover ratio was 2.68.

Existing home sales increased 4.0% in November to a seasonally adjusted 4.42-million-unit rate, following a downwardly revised 4.25-million-unit rate in October, the National Association of Realtors announced Wednesday.

The Treasury Department auctioned $29 billion of seven-year notes, with a 1 3/8% coupon, a 1.430% high yield, a price of 99.635210.