Gary Siegel

NEW YORK - The overall economy grew for the eleventh straight time after seven months of contraction, while the manufacturing sector expanded for the eighth time after eighteenth months of contraction, the Institute for Supply Management reported this morning.

Tender rates for the Treasury Department’s latest 91-day and 182-day discount bills were mixed yesterday, as the three-months incurred a 0.145% high rate, down from 0.155% the week before, and the six-months incurred a 0.240% high rate, unchanged from 0.240%.

“Texas factory activity expanded for the fifth straight month in March,” according to the business activity survey conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, released yesterday.

NEW YORK - Tender rates for the Treasury Department’s latest 91-day and 182-day discount bills were mixed, as the three-months incurred a 0.145% high rate, down from 0.155% the prior week, and the six-months incurred a 0.240% high rate, unchanged from 0.240% the week before.

NEW YORK - The Treasury Department said it will auction $17 billion 18-day cash management bills on Tuesday, March 30.

NEW YORK - The Treasury Department said it will auction $25 billion 56-day cash management bills on Wednesday, March 31.

NEW YORK - The Treasury Department said it will sell $31 billion of four-week discount bills tomorrow.

NEW YORK - “Texas factory activity expanded for the fifth straight month in March,” according to the monthly business activity survey conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, released today.

The University of Michigan’s final March consumer sentiment index reading was 73.6, up from the preliminary March 72.5 reading, the final February 73.6, the preliminary February 73.7 reading, and the final January 74.4, according to market sources.

Calling “institutional credibility” the Fed’s greatest asset, Federal Reserve Board governor Kevin Warsh said Friday if the central bank lost its independence, it’s credibility would also be gone.

NEW YORK – Calling “institutional credibility” the Fed's greatest asset, Federal Reserve Board Governor Kevin Warsh said if the Fed lost its independence, it’s credibility would also be gone.

NEW YORK - The University of Michigan's final March consumer sentiment index reading was 73.6, compared to the preliminary March 72.5 reading, the final February 73.6, the preliminary February 73.7 reading, and the final January 74.4, according to market sources.

Manufacturing activity in the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City’s region “continued to grow solidly, with production almost back to year-ago levels,” according to the bank’s monthly manufacturing survey, released yesterday.

Although the economy is showing early signs of recovery, two significant “headwinds” — the effects of unemployment and caution — will restrain growth, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland president Sandra Pianalto said yesterday.

Accommodative monetary policies are still necessary to support the economy, but the Federal Reserve Board is prepared to withdraw stimulus when needed, Fed chairman Ben S. Bernanke testified before the House Financial Services Committee yesterday.

NEW YORK - The Treasury Department auctioned $32 billion of seven-year notes, with a 3.25% coupon, a 3.374% high yield, a price of 99.232610.

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

NEW YORK - Manufacturing activity in the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City’s region “continued to grow solidly, with production almost back to year-ago levels,” according to the bank’s monthly manufacturing survey, released today.

NEW YORK – Accommodative monetary policies are still needed to support the economy, but the Fed is prepared to withdraw stimulus, when needed, Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben S. Bernanke testified before the House Financial Services Committee today.

The Treasury Department yesterday auctioned $42 billion of five-year notes, with a 2 1/2% coupon, a 2.605% high yield, a price of 99.510730.