MW: Treasurys gain after jobless claims, ahead of Philly Fed
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Treasurys advanced early on Thursday, keeping yields near record lows, following data showing jobless claims fell in the latest week and ahead of a report on manufacturing in the Philadelphia region. Yields on the benchmark 10-year Treasury notes fell to 2.097%, while those on the 30-year bond were down at 2.607%. Yields on two-year notes were down at 0.0708%. First-time claims for state unemployment benefits dropped 21,000 to 554,000 in the week ended Dec. 13, easing back part of a surge in the prior week, the Labor Department reported Thursday. Still, the four-week average of those claims rose 2,750 to 543,750 - the highest level since December 1982, and initial claims are not expected to drop again until mid-January, according to the Labor Department.
