Economic indicators

Initial claims for U.S. state unemployment benefits rose by 13,000 to 248,000 in the May 27 week, above the 238,000 level analysts expected, but still near the decades-low levels seen in recent weeks, data released by the Labor Department Thursday showed.

Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas President Robert Kaplan is sticking to his outlook for two more interest-rate increases this year, even as he acknowledged recent declines in U.S. core inflation.

Housing demand unexpectedly weakened for a second month across most U.S. regions as lean inventory took a toll on affordability, putting a damper on the typically busier spring selling season, according to National Association of Realtors figures released Wednesday.

The MNI Chicago Business Barometer decreased to 55.2 in May from 58.3 in April, the lowest level since January.

The Treasury Department Wednesday sold $25 billion 14-day cash management bills, dated June 1, due June 15, at a 0.735% high tender rate.

The Treasury Department Tuesday auctioned $45 billion of four-week bills at a 0.840% high yield, a price of 99.934667.

Tender rates for the Treasury Department's latest 91-day and 182-day discount bills were higher, as the three-months incurred a 0.960% high rate, up from 0.920% the prior week, and the six-months incurred a 1.060% high rate, up from 1.050% the week before.

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index®, which had decreased in April, declined slightly in May.

WASHINGTON (MNI) - Personal income rose 0.4% in April, while nominal PCE was up 0.4%, and the core PCE price index rose 0.2%, data released by the Commerce Department Tuesday morning showed.

U.S. consumer sentiment holding near post-election highs reflects an improved outlook on wages and indicates spending is poised to rebound, though a partisan gap persists, University of Michigan survey data showed Friday.

A second straight month of stagnant orders for business equipment in April indicates investment in capital goods could slow in the second quarter, Commerce Department data showed Friday.

First quarter GDP growth was revised up to a 1.2% pace in the second estimate from the 0.7% gain in the advance estimate, with upward revisions seen for every component except for inventory growth, data released Friday by the Bureau of Economic Analysis showed.

The Treasury Department auctioned $28 billion of seven-year notes, with a 2% coupon and a 2.060% high yield, a price of 99.610738.

Initial claims for U.S. state unemployment benefits rose by 1,000 to 234,000 in the May 20 week, below the 235,000 level analysts expected, but still near the decades-low levels seen in recent weeks, data released by the Labor Department Thursday showed.

Most Federal Reserve officials judged “it would soon be appropriate” to tighten monetary policy again and backed a plan that would gradually shrink their $4.5 trillion balance sheet.

The Treasury Department auctioned $34 billion of five-year notes, with a 1 3/4% coupon, a 1.831% high yield, a price of 99.614668.

The Treasury Department Wednesday auctioned $13 billion of two-year floating rate notes with a high discount margin of 0.050%, at a 0.070% spread, a price of 100.038573.

April existing home sales lagged expectations slightly after the March 10-year high, and the tight supply of houses is still generating "frenzied" buying activity in many areas, bidding prices up, the National Association of Realtors reported Wednesday.

The number of U.S. building permits issued in April was unrevised at a decrease of 2.5% to a 1.228 million unit annual rate, the Commerce Department's Bureau of the Census said Wednesday.

The Treasury Department Tuesday auctioned $26 billion of two-year notes with a 1 1/4% coupon at a 1.316% yield, a price of 99.870143.