US yields advance as risk appetite increases

NEW YORK: US Treasury yields rose to four-week highs on Tuesday, bolstered by gains on Wall Street that have raised appetite for risk, as well as expectations of more positive US and Chinese economic data this week.

In a week shortened by the Good Friday holiday, investors are awaiting US retail sales data on Thursday, which could show that the economy is far more stable than expected, analysts said.

At the same time, significant Chinese data due late on Tuesday - gross domestic product, retail sales, among others - could provide some insight on how the world's second-largest economy has been performing.

After a sluggish start to the year, Chinese reports have been more upbeat than expected as monetary authorities increased stimulus measures. That has eased concerns about a Chinese slowdown.

"There's the thought that with China's stimulus, people are going to focus more on Chinese retail sales and the bigger numbers that we get out of China this evening and without momentum in Treasuries right now, it's possible that that's bringing some insurance selling in Treasuries that you wouldn't necessarily anticipate," said Jim Vogel, interest rates strategist, at FTN Financial in Memphis, Tennessee.

He added that this expectation on China draws even more focus on US retail sales data. "Today's moves are what you would expect if retail sales numbers are above expectations," Vogel said.