U.S. Treasuries ahead of initial jobless claims, FOMC Chair Powell’s speech

The U.S. Treasuries climbed during late afternoon session Thursday ahead of the country’s weekly initial jobless claims, scheduled to be released today by 13:30GMT, besides, FOMC member Barkin and Chair Jerome Powell’s speech, due for later in the day. A host of other FOMC speeches awaits the day as well.

The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasuries plunged nearly 3 basis points to 2.701 percent, the super-long 30-year bond yields edged 1-1/2 basis points lower to 3.008 percent and the yield on the short-term 2-year slumped nearly 2-1/2 basis points to 2.541 percent by 11:35GMT.

With the dataflow disrupted by the government shutdown, the usual weekly claims are the only top-tier data due. But among several Fed policymakers due to speak today, Chair Powell will address the Economic Club of Washington DC, providing an opportunity to repeat his more dovish message expressed last Friday and also represented in yesterday’s Fed minutes. In the markets, the Treasury will sell 30-year Notes, Daiwa Capital Markets reported.

Meanwhile, the S&P 500 Futures remained 0.55 percent lower at 2,568.38 by 11:40GMT, while at 11:00GMT, the FxWirePro's Hourly Dollar Strength Index remained slightly bearish at -93.31 (a reading above +75 indicates a bullish trend, while that below -75 a bearish trend). For more details, visit http://www.fxwirepro.com/currencyindex