Gary Siegel

Interest rates are nearing the neutral level — the rate that neither stimulates nor restrains economic growth — Federal Reserve Board Chair Jerome Powell said Wednesday.

Service sector “grew slightly in November,” according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond service-sector activity survey, released Wednesday.

Manufacturing growth in the central Atlantic region “grew moderately in November.”

Texas service sector activity “grew at a faster pace in November.”

The consumer confidence index decreased to 135.7 in November from an unrevised 137.9 last month.

Acyclical factors may be responsible for core personal consumption expenditures price index inflation reaching the Fed’s 2% target in July.

Texas factory activity growth, as measured by the production index, “continued to expand in November, albeit at a markedly slower pace.”

The Chicago Fed National Activity Index for October rose to 0.24 from a downwardly revised 0.14 in September.

The University of Michigan's final November consumer sentiment index reading was 97.5, compared to the preliminary November 98.3.

Existing home sales were up 1.4% to a seasonally adjusted 5.22 million-unit rate in October from an unrevised 3.4% decline to a 5.15 million sales pace the previous month.

The composite of the Leading Economic Index was up 0.1% in October following an upwardly revised 0.6% gain in September.

The region's services sector expanded at a faster pace, as the general business conditions index grew to 43.3 in November from 37.6 in October.

Builders’ confidence in the market for new single-family homes fell as the National Association of Home Builders' housing market index dropped to 60 in November from 68 in October.

Respondents to the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's monthly manufacturing survey reported faster growth in November, with prices mixed.

Industrial production grew 0.1% in October, the Federal Reserve reported Friday.

Federal Reserve Vice Chair Richard Clarida said the Fed needs to rely on data since rates are now in the “vicinity” of neutral.

New York service sector activity “expanded modestly” in November, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York's Business Leaders Survey, released Friday.

The Federal Reserve announced it will review monetary policy strategies, tools, and communication practices next year.

Monetary policy is near a neutral level, one that neither stimulates nor restricts economic growth, according to Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta President Raphael Bostic, who noted that caution should be used going forward.

Business inventories were up 0.3% to $1.967 trillion in September, while sales were 0.4% higher at $1.468 trillion, the Commerce Department reported Thursday.