US bonds flat after weak China, Japan data

New York (Mar 10)   U.S. Treasury bonds traded mostly flat on Monday ahead of debt auctions this week with no new U.S. economic data on tap for now.

Yields were roughly unchanged after hitting their highest levels in six weeks on Friday on stronger-than-expected jobs data. A lack of new U.S. economic data drew investors' attention to upcoming bond auctions. Traders said the auctions are likely to attract buyers after last week's dip in prices.

"The backup in yields thus far is going to create decent demand," Guy LeBas, chief fixed income strategist at Janney Montgomery Scott in Philadelphia. Bond yields move inversely to their prices.

The government will sell $64 billion in new coupon-bearing debt this week, including $30 billion in three-year notes, $21 billion in 10-year notes and $13 billion in 30-year bonds.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose about 18 basis points to 2.79 percent last week on a calming of geopolitical tensions in Russia and Ukraine and strong U.S. jobs data.

Source: CNBC