Treasurys falter as Federal Reserve vows to keep interest rates low for ‘extended period’

Long-term Treasurys sell off after Fed decision

NEW YORK — Long-term Treasurys sold off sharply Wednesday after the Federal Reserve reaffirmed its pledge to keep interest rates low for “an extended period.”

In late trading, the 10-year Treasury, often used as a benchmark for consumer borrowing, fell 15/32 to 100 25/32, pushing its yield up to 3.53 percent from 3.47 percent late Tuesday.

The Federal Reserve left interest rates near zero, as expected, at the conclusion of its two-day policy meeting Wednesday afternoon, downplaying the threat of inflation and reiterating the need to keep rates low for some time to support the economic recovery.

Analysts said the bond market is worried about the effects of keeping interest rates so low for a prolonged period of time.

“The concern is that maybe the Fed is too focused on unemployment and growth and not concerned enough about the inflation outlook,” said Carl Lantz, fixed income strategist at Credit Suisse. “To be fair, inflation is low and falling, but the market is very concerned about what will happen over the long term.”

Inflation is bad for bonds because it eats into their fixed returns over time.

Treasurys had been falling earlier Wednesday following upbeat reports on service industries and private sector employment. The reports raised hopes that consumer spending could pick up and initially drove stocks higher. Stocks ended mixed. Treasurys fell further immediately after the Fed’s statement.

In other trading, the 30-year bond fell 1 3/32 to 101 20/32. Its yield rose to 4.40 percent from 4.33 percent.

The two-year note rose 1/32 to 100 6/32, while its yield slipped to 0.91 percent from 0.92 percent.

The yield on the three-month T-bill was unchanged at 0.04 percent. Its discount rate was 0.05 percent.

Treasurys are also facing selling pressure ahead of another round of auctions next week, Lantz said. The government plans to issue $81 billion of three-year, 10-year and 30-year Treasurys.

Treasurys tend to sell off ahead of auctions as investors brace for more supply in the system. The fear is that at some point the record amount of debt the government is issuing to fund its stimulus programs could overwhelm demand.

The cost of borrowing between banks was unchanged. The British Bankers’ Association said the rate on three-month loans in dollars — the London Interbank Offered Rate, or Libor — was steady at 0.278 percent.