Andiamo bene ...
US Treasuries extend gains as auction goes well
Wed Feb 9, 2005 01:12 PM ET
NEW YORK, Feb 8 (Reuters) - Treasury debt prices added to early gains on Wednesday as an auction of new U.S. government paper drew healthy private demand, easing concerns about a fall-off in foreign interest.
The sale of $15 billion in five-year Treasury notes went at a lower-than-expected high yield of 3.618 percent. It drew bids for 2.53 times the amount on offer, up on January's 2.37 level and the long-term 2.26 average.
Indirect bidders, including customers of primary dealers and foreign central banks, picked up $6.72 billion, or 45 percent, of the whole issue. That was up from January's 39 percent share and something of a relief to traders, given worries that foreign demand would fall sharply.
Primary dealers took $8.05 billion of the sale.
The current five-year note (US5YT=RR: Quote, Profile, Research) climbed 6/32 in price, lowering yields to 3.62 percent from 3.66 percent. The benchmark 10-year note (US10YT=RR: Quote, Profile, Research) was 4/32 firmer in price, taking its yield to 4.00 percent for the first time since October.