U.S. Treasuries surge ahead of 5-year auction, host of FOMC speeches

The U.S. Treasuries surged during Wednesday’s afternoon session ahead of the country’s medium-term 5-year auction, scheduled to be held today by 17:00GMT, besides, a host of speeches by Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) members Barkin and Daly, both due today at 16:20GMT and 21:30GMT.

The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury yield slumped nearly 2-1/2 basis points to 1.468 percent, the super-long 30-year bond yield plunged 5 basis points to 1.916 percent and the yield on the short-term 2-year slipped 1 basis point to 1.518 percent by 11:20GMT.

Market focus remains on Italian political developments. Italian President Sergio Matarella is scheduled to meet the leaders of the main political parties this afternoon for feedback on their efforts to form a coalition government, Eurobank Economic Analysis & Financial Markets Research reported.

Elsewhere, investors retain a cautious stance against risk assets on market uncertainty over the chance of a meaningful resolution in the US/China trade dispute, major government bonds remain well supported and, in FX markets, the EUR/USD continues to consolidate within the 1.1000-1.1200 recent rage, the report added.

Meanwhile, the S&P 500 Futures traded flat at 2,864.62 by 11:25GMT.