U.S. Treasuries slump ahead of April retail sales, host of FOMC members’ speeches

The U.S. Treasuries slumped Tuesday ahead of the country’s retail sales for the month of April, scheduled to be released today by 12:30GMT. Also, Federal Open Market Committee’s (FOMC) members Kaplan and Williams’ speech are also scheduled for today at 12:00GMT and 17:00GMT respectively, for further insight into the debt market.

The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasuries jumped 2-1/2 basis points to 3.01 percent, the super-long 30-year bond yields surged 2 basis points to 3.14 percent and the yield on the short-term 2-year traded 1 basis point higher at 2.55 percent by 11:25GMT.

In the US, today brings the retail sales report for April, the highlight of this week’s economic data calendar, which will cast light on whether consumption is on track to pick up from the tepid growth seen in Q1. Auto sales are set to have remained weaker, but higher auto fuel prices will probably give the value of total sales a boost.

And most other major categories are likely to show healthy increases above the six-month average pace (0.3 percent m/m ex-autos and gasoline). The NAHB housing and New York Fed manufacturing surveys for May will also be released today, together with final business inventory data for March.      

Meanwhile, the S&P 500 Futures slipped 0.25 percent to 2,723.75 by 11:30GMT, while at 11:00GMT, the FxWirePro's Hourly Dollar Strength Index remained highly bullish at 121.04 (a reading above +75 indicates a bullish trend, while that below -75 a bearish trend). For more details, visit http://www.fxwirepro.com/currencyindex

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