NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Treasurys remained higher Friday, pushing yields down, after a government report showed builders broke ground on fewer homes than anticipated last month. Two-year note yields fell 6 basis points to 1.58%. Housing starts slowed 6% to a 817,000 annualized pace last month, the lowest in 17 years, the Commerce Department said. Economists surveyed by MarketWatch expected starts to decline to an 870,000 rate. A report later is expected to show consumer confidence slid this month. Two Federal Reserve officials will be speaking. Government debt was higher before the report as U.S. equity futures pointed to losses, reversing some of Thursday's gains.
