Gary Siegel

NEW YORK – The region's manufacturing sector expanded, as the general business conditions index increased to 20.4 in December from 16.7 in November, this month’s Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Report on Business indicates.

NEW YORK - The composite index of Leading Economic Indicators gained 0.9% in November, its eighth straight gain, the Conference Board reported today.

The Federal Open Market Committee voted yesterday to keep the target range for the federal funds rate at 0% to 0.25% and also said the funds rate is likely to stay "exceptionally low" for an "extended period."

NEW YORK – The Federal Open Market Committee voted to keep the target range for the federal funds rate at 0 to 1/4 percent and also said the funds rate is likely to stay “exceptionally low” for an “extended period.”

The Federal Reserve yesterday announced the results of its term auction facility, selling $46.035 billion of 28-day credits at a 0.250% stop-out rate, the lowest rate at which the offering amount clears, which is the sole rate awarded to all the successful bids.

Builders' confidence in the market for new single-family homes slipped in December as the National Association of Home Builders' housing market index — a monthly gauge of builder sentiment — fell to 16 from November's 17, the group announced yesterday.

The Empire State Manufacturing Survey showed "conditions for New York manufacturers leveled off in December, following four months of improvement" as the general business conditions index decreased to 2.55 from 23.51 in November the Federal Reserve Bank of New York reported yesterday.

NEW YORK - Builders’ confidence in the market for new single-family homes slipped in December, as the National Association of Home Builders' housing market index - a monthly gauge of builder sentiment – fell to 16, from November’s 17, the group announced this afternoon.

NEW YORK - The Treasury Department today auctioned $27 billion of one-year bills at a 0.410% high yield, a price of 99.585444.

NEW YORK - The Treasury Department today auctioned $28 billion of four-week bills at a zero high yield, a price of par.

NEW YORK – The Federal Reserve today announced the results of its term auction facility, selling $46.035 billion of 28-day credits at a 0.250% stop-out rate, the lowest rate at which the offering amount clears, which is the sole rate awarded to all the successful bids.

NEW YORK - The Empire State Manufacturing Survey showed “conditions for New York manufacturers leveled off in December, following four months of improvement," the Federal Reserve Bank of New York today reported, as the general business conditions index decreased to 2.55 in the month from 23.51 in November, the Fed reported.

The Treasury Department said yesterday it will sell $28 billion of four-week discount bills today.

The Federal Reserve announced yesterday it will set a 0.25% minimum bid on its $75 billion 28-day Term Auction Facility.

Tender rates for the Treasury Department's latest 91-day and 182-day discount bills were lower than last week, as the three-months incurred a 0.040% high rate, down from 0.050%, and the six-months incurred a 0.160% high rate, down from 0.165%.

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 0.040% high rate, down from 0.050% the prior week, and the six-months incurred a 0.160% high rate, down from 0.165% the week before.

NEW YORK - The Treasury Department said it will sell $28 billion of four-week discount bills tomorrow.

NEW YORK – The Federal Reserve announced today it will set a 0.25% minimum bid on its $75 billion 28-day Term Auction Facility credit selling today.

The University of Michigan’s preliminary December consumer sentiment index reading was 73.4 compared to the final November 67.4, the preliminary November 66.0 reading, and the final October 70.6, according to market sources.

NEW YORK - The University of Michigan's preliminary December consumer sentiment index reading was 73.4, compared to the final November 67.4, the preliminary November 66.0 reading, and the final October 70.6, according to market sources.