MW: Treasurys stay higher as jobless claims decline
By Deborah Levine
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Treasurys gained slightly early Thursday, pushing yields back towards multi-decade lows, as a report showed initial claims for unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell in the latest week. Ten-year note yields fell 2 basis points to 2.64%, the lowest since the 1950s. Initial claims declined 21,000 to 509,000 in the week ended Nov. 29. Continuing claims, an indication of the difficulty of finding a new job, increased to the highest since December 1982. Reports that the government is considering steps to lower mortgage rates also helped out U.S. debt. Treasurys were higher before the report as England, the European Central Bank, Sweden and New Zealand slashed interest rates.
