U.S. government debt prices moved higher on Thursday as investors eyed a host of speakers from the U.S. Federal Reserve, who could shed further light on what was discussed at its last meeting: Economic conditions that could lead to a December rate hike.
Treasurys
The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note went lower on Thursday to around 2.2438 percent, after closing at 2.269 percent on Wednesday. The yield on the 30-year Treasury bond was also down at 2.9988 percent, after closing at 3.042 percent.
Speakers from the central bank include Cleveland Fed President Loretta Mester, who said on CNBC's "Squawk Box" she is reasonably confident inflation will get back to 2 percent.
Atlanta Fed President Dennis Lockhart also spoke Thursday afternoon, saying he is "comfortable" with moving from near-zero interest rate policy "soon." Fed Vice Chairman Stanley Fischer will be at the San Francisco Fed at 4:45 p.m. ET, discussing emerging Asia.
On the data front, initial jobless claims came slightly above expectations at 271,000. Leading indicators rose 0.6 percent, about the expected 0.5 percent gain. Thursday will also see $13 billion of 10-year TIPS auctioned.
In oil markets, Brent crude traded at around $44.27 a barrel, up 0.2 percent, while U.S. crude settled at $40.54 a barrel, down 0.52 percent.
— CNBC's Patti Domm contributed to this report