Gary Siegel

NEW YORK - The composite index of Leading Economic Indicators grew 0.8% in February, the Conference Board reported Thursday.

NEW YORK - The Chicago Fed Midwest Manufacturing Index rose 1.1% in January to a seasonally adjusted level of 84.1, as the steel, machinery, and auto sectors all showed improvement, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago reported Thursday.

Builders’ confidence in the market for new single-family homes gained slightly, as the National Association of Home Builders’ housing market index rose to 17 in March from 16 in February. That was in line with economists, who had forecast a level of 17.

The Empire State Manufacturing Survey showed conditions for New York manufacturers continued to improve in March, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York reported Tuesday, as the general business conditions index climbed to 17.50 from 15.43 in February.

NEW YORK - The Treasury Department Tuesday auctioned $40 billion of four-week bills at a 0.060% high yield, a price of 99.995333.

NEW YORK - Builders’ confidence in the market for new single-family homes gained slightly, as the National Association of Home Builders' housing market index - a monthly gauge of builder sentiment – rose to 17 in March from 16 in February. The index had been at 16 for four months.

NEW YORK - The Empire State Manufacturing Survey showed “conditions for New York manufacturers continued to improve in March, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York reported Tuesday, as the general business conditions index gained to 17.50 in the month from 15.43 in February, the Fed reported.

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

Tender rates for the Treasury Department’s latest 91-day and 182-day discount bills were lower, as the three-months incurred a 0.090% high rate, down from 0.110% the previous week, and the six-months incurred a 0.135% high rate, down from 0.155%.

NEW YORK - Tender rates for the Treasury Department’s latest 91-day and 182-day discount bills were lower, as the three-months incurred a 0.090% high rate, down from 0.110% the prior week, and the six-months incurred a 0.135% high rate, off from 0.155% the week before.

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

The Federal Reserve has been laboring to beef up the economy and now that there are signs the recovery is strengthening, the Fed needs to stay on course, according to William Dudley, president and chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

The University of Michigan’s preliminary March consumer-sentiment index reading was 68.2, a decrease from the final February 77.5 reading, according to market sources.

NEW YORK - The University of Michigan's preliminary March consumer sentiment index reading was 68.2, compared to the final February 77.5, the preliminary February 75.1 and the final January 74.2 reading, according to market sources.

NEW YORK – The Federal Reserve has been laboring to beef up the economy and now that there are signs the recovery is strengthening, the Fed needs to keep on course, Federal Reserve Bank of New York President and Chief Executive Officer William C. Dudley said.

The Treasury Department today auctioned $13 billion of 29-year, 11-month bonds with a 4 3/4% coupon at a 4.569% high yield and a price of 102.929408.

NEW YORK - The Treasury Department today auctioned $13 billion of 29-year 11-month bonds with a 4 3/4% coupon at a 4.569% high yield, a price of 102.929408.

NEW YORK - The Treasury Department said Thursday it will auction $32 billion 91-day bills and $30 billion 182-day discount bills Monday.

The Treasury Department Tuesday auctioned $21 billion of nine-year, 11-month notes with a 3 5/8% coupon at a 3.499% high yield, and a price of 101.044608.

Mortgage application volume soared 15.5% in the week ended March 4, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s weekly mortgage applications survey.