Gary Siegel

Manufacturing activity in the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's region "continued at a solid pace in December, and producers were increasingly optimistic about future activity. Price indexes in the survey rose further, with a marked increase in raw materials prices," according to the bank's monthly manufacturing survey, released Thursday.

Pending home sales climbed 3.5% to a reading of 92.2 in November from a revised 10.4% jump to 89.3 in October, originally reported as 10.1% increase to 89.1, according to an index released Thursday by the National Association of Realtors.

The Chicago Purchasing Managers' Business Barometer rose to 68.6 in December from 62.5 in November, the National Association of Purchasing Management-Chicago said Thursday.

NEW YORK - The Treasury Department said Thursday it will auction $29 billion 91-day bills and $28 billion 182-day discount bills Monday.

NEW YORK - Manufacturing activity in the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City’s region “continued at a solid pace in December, and producers were increasingly optimistic about future activity. Price indexes in the survey rose further, with a marked increase in raw materials prices,” according to the bank’s monthly manufacturing survey, released Thursday.

NEW YORK – The seasonally adjusted Milwaukee Index climbed to 62 in December from 59 in November, according to the Institute for Supply Management-Milwaukee.

NEW YORK - Pending home sales climbed 3.5% to a reading of 92.2 in November from a revised 10.4% jump to 89.3 in October, originally reported as 10.1% increase to 89.1, according to an index released Thursday by the National Association of Realtors.

NEW YORK - The Chicago Purchasing Managers’ Business Barometer rose to 68.6 in December from 62.5 in November, the National Association of Purchasing Management-Chicago said Thursday.

The Treasury Department Wednesday auctioned $29 billion of seven-year notes, with a 2 3/4% coupon, a 2.830% high yield, and a price of 99.495202.

NEW YORK - The Treasury Department auctioned $29 billion of seven-year notes, with a 2 3/4% coupon, a 2.830% high yield, a price of 99.495202.

NEW YORK - The Treasury Department Wednesday sold $25 billion 56-day cash management bills, dated December 30, due February 24, 2011, at a 0.120% high tender rate.

"Manufacturing activity in the central Atlantic region expanded at a quicker pace in December," the monthly business activity survey conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond said.

The consumer confidence index dropped to 52.5 in December from an upwardly revised 54.3 last month, the Conference Board reported Tuesday.

NEW YORK - The Treasury Department auctioned $35 billion of five-year notes, with a 2 1/8% coupon, a 2.149% high yield, a price of 99.886797.

NEW YORK - The Treasury Department Tuesday auctioned $25 billion of four-week bills at a 0.065% high yield, a price of 99.994944.

NEW YORK – “Activity in the service sector surged in December,” according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond service-sector activity survey, released today, “Retail sales rose sharply and shopper traffic increased. However, weakness in big-ticket sales continued. Retail inventories grew rapidly this month. At non-retail services firms, revenue growth was a bit more widespread than a month ago. Looking ahead six months, survey respondents anticipated a stronger market for their goods and services.”

NEW YORK – “Manufacturing activity in the central Atlantic region expanded at a quicker pace in December,” according to the monthly business activity survey conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. “All broad indicators — shipments, new orders and employment — posted solid gains. Other indicators also suggested stronger activity. District contacts reported that order backlogs returned to positive territory and capacity utilization grew at a faster pace. Manufacturers reported that delivery times grew at a somewhat higher rate, while inventories grew at a somewhat slower pace.”

NEW YORK - The consumer confidence index dropped to 52.5 in December from an upwardly revised 54.3 last month, The Conference Board reported this morning.

Consumer sentiment rose to 74.5 in December in the final reading of the University of Michigan index. That compares with a preliminary December reading of 74.2 reading and a final reading of 71.6 in November, according to market sources.

NEW YORK - The University of Michigan's final December consumer sentiment index reading was 74.5, compared to the preliminary December 74.2 reading, the final November 71.6, and the final October 67.7, according to market sources.