Gold Prices Fall Amid Rate Jitters; Copper Steady as China Stimulus Eyed 
The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield was down 3 bps to 1.9% on Monday after Treasuries pushed modestly lower to finish off the holiday shortened week on Thursday, largely brushing off the pullback seen in durable goods orders for February (that followed a surge seen to open 2016) and an increase in initial jobless claims.
Moreover, the February U.S. durable goods report revealed an overall -2.8% m/m reading, versus the revised +4.2% m/m reading that occurred in January (prev. +4.9% m/m), in line with market expectations for a -3.0% m/m result.
Apart from this, with employment data expected to remain strong and signs of budding inflation stemming from a rebound in energy prices, we anticipate the call to raise rates.
Overall, the 2-year yield found some upward pressure, holding just below the 0.90%-mark, alongside a similar increase seen in the 10-year yield, holding around 1.90%. Aside from non-farm payrolls on Friday, markets also await the release of personal income/spending, consumer confidence, the ADP employment estimate, ISM manufacturing and vehicle sales releases.
Lastly following the stronger than expected final 4Q15 GDP reading (up +1.4%, above expectations for a +1.0% increase), we expect downward pressure will likely resume in the week ahead, alongside increased chatter from FOMC speakers that is pointing to support for a hike coming as early as the April meeting as markets gear up for the March employment report on Friday.
Following are the up-coming auctions of U.S Treasury:
28 March US Bond auction of 2YR T.Note
29 March US Bond auction of 5YR T.Note
30 March US Bond auction of 7YR T.Note
