US Treasuries Little Changed as Dudley Predicts Fast Growth

Treasuries were little changed after Federal Reserve Bank of New York President William C. Dudley said economic growth will probably quicken in 2014, possibly warranting a reduction in the central bank’s bond purchases.

The benchmark 10-year note yield traded in the narrowest range in two months as Dudley, in remarks prepared for a speech in Stamford, Connecticut, reiterated that the Fed will probably prolong bond purchases if the economy turns out weaker than its forecasts. Investors trimmed wagers the prices of Treasuries will drop, according to a survey by JPMorgan Chase & Co. A Labor Department report July 5 is forecast to show the U.S. added 165,000 jobs.

“All eyes are on Friday’s employment report — the Fed has continued to reiterate the importance of the labor market,” said Ian Lyngen, a government-bond strategist at CRT Capital Group LLC in Stamford, Connecticut. “Removing or tapering quantitative easing is not the same as hiking, and an increase in the target Fed funds rate is a 2015 or 2016 event.”

The benchmark 10-year yield was little changed at 2.48 percent at 12:56 p.m. New York time after touching 2.45 percent, according to Bloomberg Bond Trader prices. The 1.75 percent note maturing in May 2023 traded at 93 21/32. The yield dropped to 2.44 percent on June 28, the lowest level since June 21.

The Treasury 10-year yield traded in a 4.47 basis-point range today, the narrowest since May 9. Even after recent increases, the yield is more than a percentage point below its decade average of 3.56 percent.

The Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association recommends an early close at 2 p.m. New York time tomorrow before the observance of the July 4 holiday in the U.S.

Bloomberg

This article is for general information purposes only. It is not investment advice or a solution to buy or sell securities. Opinions are the authors; not necessarily that of OANDA Corporation or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. Leveraged trading is high risk and not suitable for all. You could lose all of your deposited funds.