Gary Siegel

NEW YORK – The region's manufacturing sector continued to improve but at a slower pace, as the general business conditions index slipped to 5.1 in July from 8.0 in June, this month’s Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Report on Business indicates.

NEW YORK - The Empire State Manufacturing Survey showed “while conditions for New York manufacturers continued to improve in July, the pace of growth in business activity slowed substantially over the month,” the Federal Reserve Bank of New York today reported, as the general business conditions index slumped to 5.08 in the month from 19.57 in June, the Fed reported.

NEW YORK - The Treasury Department today auctioned $13 billion of 29-year 10-month bonds with a 4 3/8% coupon at a 4.080% high yield, a price of 105.053815.

NEW YORK - The Treasury Department today sold $25 billion 56-day cash management bills, dated July 15, due Sept. 9, at a 0.160% high tender rate.

The Treasury Department yesterday auctioned $21 billion of nine-year 10-month notes with a 3 1/2% coupon at a 3.119% high yield, a price of 103.199671.

NEW YORK - The Treasury Department auctioned $21 billion of 9-year 10-month notes with a 3 1/2% coupon at a 3.119% high yield, a price of 103.199671.

NEW YORK - The Treasury Department today auctioned $32 billion of four-week bills at a 0.150% high yield, a price of 99.988333.

The Treasury Department yesterday auctioned $35 billion of three-year notes with a 1% coupon at a 1.055% yield, a price of 99.838004.

Confidence in the nation’s economy among chief executive officers was unchanged in the second quarter of 2010, as the Conference Board measure of CEO confidence held steady at 62.

While lenders contend that current conditions represent a return to “more traditional” underwriting standards from a period of laxity, rather than credit tightening, Federal Reserve Board chairman Ben S. Bernanke emphasized the critical role that lending to small business plays in economic recovery.

NEW YORK - The Treasury Department today auctioned $35 billion of three-year notes with a 1% coupon at a 1.055% yield, a price of 99.838004.

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 0.150% high rate, down from 0.165% the prior week, and the six-months incurred a 0.200% high rate, down from 0.205% the week before.

NEW YORK - The Treasury Department said it will auction $25 billion 56-day cash management bills on Wednesday, July 14.

NEW YORK - The Treasury Department said it will sell $32 billion of four-week discount bills tomorrow.

NEW YORK – While lenders contend that current conditions represent “a return to more traditional underwriting standards following a period of too-lax standards,” rather than credit tightening, Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben S. Bernanke said that lending to small business is critical for economic recovery.

NEW YORK - Chief executives’ confidence in the nation’s economy held steady in the second quarter of 2010, as the Conference Board Measure of CEO Confidence remained 62.

Texas factory activity diminished in June after seven monthly increases, according to the business activity survey conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas and released yesterday.

The Chicago Fed National Activity Index for May fell to 0.21 from a revised 0.25 reading in April, while the three-month moving average improved to 0.28 in May from April’s revised 0.05 reading, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago reported yesterday.

Monetary policy and the Fed’s balance sheet are distinct tools in its arsenal that “should not be conflated or confused,” Federal Reserve Board governor Kevin Warsh said yesterday.

NEW YORK – Monetary policy and the Fed’s balance sheet are distinct tools in the Fed’s arsenal and “should not be conflated or confused,” Federal Reserve Board Governor Kevin Warsh said today.