Gary Siegel

U.S. manufacturing increased in February, reaching its highest level since May 2004, according to the Institute for Supply Management.

Since sustained hikes in oil prices could “cause inflation expectations to become less well-anchored,” the Federal Reserve Board will monitor developments and “respond as necessary,” Fed chairman Ben Bernanke told the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee Tuesday.

NEW YORK - The Treasury Department Wednesday auctioned $40 billion of four-week bills at a 0.135% high yield, a price of 99.989500.

NEW YORK - The Treasury Department Tuesday sold $25 billion 49-day cash management bills, dated March 3, due April 21, at a 0.125% high tender rate.

NEW YORK – U.S. manufacturing increased in February, reaching its highest level since May 2004, according to the Institute for Supply Management.

NEW YORK – Since sustained hikes in oil prices could “cause inflation expectations to become less well anchored,” the Fed will monitor developments and “respond as necessary,” Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben S. Bernanke told the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee Tuesday.

The Chicago Purchasing Managers’ Business Barometer rose to 71.2 in February from 68.8 in January, the National Association of Purchasing Management-Chicago said Monday.

Sovereign debt problems and state and local finances should be viewed for the possible disruptions they can cause to the national and world economy, rather than being dismissed as inconsequential, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston president Eric Rosengren said Monday.

NEW YORK - Tender rates for the Treasury Department’s latest 91-day and 182-day discount bills were higher, as the three-months incurred a 0.145% high rate, up from 0.110% the prior week, and the six-months incurred a 0.170% high rate, up from 0.155% the week before.

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

NEW YORK - The Treasury Department said it will auction $25 billion 49-day cash management bills on Tuesday, March 1.

NEW YORK - Texas factory activity, as measured by the production index, was nearly flat in February, according to the monthly business activity survey conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, released Monday.

NEW YORK – The seasonally adjusted Milwaukee Index climbed to 63 in February from 57 in January, according to the Institute for Supply Management-Milwaukee.

NEW YORK - Pending home sales slipped 2.8% to a reading of 88.9 in January, according to a report released Thursday by the National Association of Realtors.

NEW YORK - The Chicago Purchasing Managers’ Business Barometer rose to 71.2 in February from 68.8 in January, the National Association of Purchasing Management-Chicago said Monday.

NEW YORK – Sovereign debt problems and state and local finances should be viewed for the possible disruptions they can cause to the national and world economy, rather than being dismissed as inconsequential, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston President & Chief Executive Officer Eric S. Rosengren said Monday.

NEW YORK – New York City business activity improved at the fastest pace in nine months, the Institute for Supply Management-New York’s Report on Business current business conditions index indicated.

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

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

Quantitative easing has been an effective tool, but with the economy improving the debate becomes whether to complete it or taper it off, St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank president James Bullard said Thursday.