U.S. Treasury yields moved lower on Thursday after reversed overnight gains and as first-quarter gross domestic product expanded by less than Wall Street economists had expected.
The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note — the benchmark for mortgages, auto loans and credit card — was down more than 3 basis points at 4.382%. The 2-year Treasury note yield, which more closely tracks short-term Federal Reserve interest rate policy, was more than 5 basis points lower at 3.877%.
One basis point is equal to 0.01%, and yields and prices move in opposite directions.
The Commerce Department reported Thursday that first-quarter gross domestic product grew at a 2% seasonally adjusted annualized pace in the first quarter, up from 0.5% in the fourth quarter of 2025 but lower than Wall Street economists’ consensus estimate calling for 2.2%.
“Today’s first look at first quarter GDP came in below expectations at 2%, due in large part to the supply shock that has come in the wake of the war in the Middle East,” said Art Hogan, chief market strategist at B. Riley Wealth. “There’s clearly a risk of a slower pace of expansion should the war continue.”
Separately, the Commerce Department said that the personal consumption expenditures price index, the Federal Reserve’s preferred measure of inflation in the economy, rose 0.7% in March, putting the annual inflation rate at 3.5%, in line with Wall Street forecasts.
Core PCE, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, was below the headline readings, increasing 0.3% in March versus February and 3.2% against the same period a year ago.
Energy prices pulled back from overnight highs. Brent crude dropped 3.41% to $114.01 a barrel after surging above $126 earlier, the highest since 2022. West Texas Intermediate crude oil traded down 1.69% to $105.07 a barrel.
U.S. Central Command was set to give President Donald Trump plans for further possible military action against Iran, Axios reported, citing two sources with knowledge of the matter.
Earlier reports said Trump had rejected Tehran’s proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, signaling the naval blockade will remain in place until an agreement limiting Iran’s nuclear program is reached.
— CNBC’s Jeff Cox, Michelle Fox, Lisa Kailai Han and Holly Ellyatt contributed reporting.