By Deborah Levine
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Treasury prices briefly fell a bit further and the dollar held onto gains on Thursday after U.S. economic reports showed jobless claims slipped and durable-goods orders fell a bigger-than-expected 1.3%. Consumer spending and income rose last month. Yields on 10-year notes (UST10Y 3.37, +0.02, +0.66%) , which move inversely to prices, rose 2 basis points to 3.38%. The dollar index (DXY 80.71, -0.01, -0.02%) which measures the greenback against a basket of six major currencies, traded at 80.727, down slightly from 80.781 in North American trade late Wednesday. The euro (EURUSD 1.3070, -0.0026, -0.1985%) traded at $1.3073, compared to $1.3094 Wednesday. Still to come are reports on consumer confidence and new-home sales. The bond market is expected to close at 2 p.m. Eastern time and remain shut on Friday for Christmas. Bond analysts at RBS securities said volume was "a jaw-droppingly tiny 17.6% of the 10-day average."
