TREASURIES-Bargain-hunting pushes prices higher

Fri Jun 19, 2009 10:15pm BST
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*Recent price cuts, higher yields lure investors

*Gains come despite upcoming supply

*Moody's California ratings comment spurs safety bid

By Mary Angela Rowe

NEW YORK, June 19 (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury prices rose across the yield curve on Friday after recent price cuts and higher yields drew bargain-hunters.

Longer-dated securities outperformed short- and medium-term instruments as traders positioned for $104 billion in two-, five- and seven-year note sales to be held next week, but prices still rose across the maturity range.

Analysts tied the gains to bargain-hunting.

"Investors are looking for yields as well as safety. Treasury yields are at some of their highest levels of the year, and even going back to October," said Kim Rupert, managing director of global fixed income analysis at Action Economics.

The 30-year bond price US30YT=RR in particular rallied over a full point to 1-18/32, the yields falling to 4.51 percent from 4.61 percent on Thursday.  Continued...

 
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