By Victor Reklaitis, MarketWatch

Investors remain focused on Fed minutes

Treasury yields dipped early Thursday, giving back some of the prior day's advance that came after Federal Reserve minutes signaled more interest-rate hikes in the offing.

See:Fed minutes say stronger outlook increases the chance for more rate hikes (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/fed-minutes-stronger-outlook-increases-the-chance-of-more-rate-hikes-2018-02-21)

What are key benchmarks doing?

The yield on the 10-year Treasury note was down 2.7 basis points to 2.924%, after notching a fresh four-year high above 2.94% on Wednesday (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/2-year-treasury-yields-extend-climb-ahead-of-fed-meeting-minutes-2018-02-21).

The two-year note yield dipped by less than 1 basis point to 2.262%, while the rate for the 30-year bond edged lower by 1.8 basis pints to 3.205%.

Bond prices and yields move in the opposite direction.

What are strategists saying?

"The bond market quickly grabbed onto the fact that the Fed could tighten monetary policy faster than previously anticipated," said Fiona Cincotta, senior market analyst at City Index, in a note about the reaction to the minutes from the U.S. central bank's January meeting.

"Bond yields shot to a fresh 4-year high of 2.94% sending jitters through the stocks markets, which saw the Dow reverse," she added.

What data and Fed speakers are in focus?

Investors may pay close attention to Fed officials scheduled to speak Thursday, including New York Fed President William Dudley, due to make remarks at 10 a.m. Eastern Time, and Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic, on deck at 12:10 p.m. Eastern.

Earlier on Thursday, Fed Vice Chairman Randal Quarles said in Tokyo that recent low inflation readings are not "a great concern," while the economy is "performing very well." (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/feds-quarles-says-low-us-inflation-readings-are-not-a-great-concern-2018-02-22)

A report on weekly jobless claims is slated to arrive at 8:30 a.m. Eastern, with economists polled by MarketWatch expecting 230,000 claims, then a January reading on leading economic indicators is due to hit at 10 a.m. Eastern.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

February 22, 2018 05:52 ET (10:52 GMT)

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