The 10-year Treasury yield dropped Wednesday morning as investors parsed key inflation data.
The 10-year yield fell 13 basis points to 4.653%, further pulling back from the 14-month high reached on Monday. The yield on the 2-year Treasury retreated by about 10 basis points at 4.27%.
One basis point is equal to 0.01%. Yields and prices move in opposite directions.
Bond yields took a leg down Wednesday morning after core inflation in the consumer price index, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, slowed to 3.2% on an annualized basis in December. That's slightly under the 3.3% figure anticipated by economists polled by Dow Jones.
Core inflation grew 0.2% on the month, also lower than economists expected by 0.1 percentage point.
The non-core index rose 0.4% on the month, bringing the 12-month rate to 2.9%. While economists were expecting a monthly gain of just 0.3%, the 2.9% annualized growth rate was in line with forecasts.
"After recent red-hot data, today's softer than expected core CPI reading should help cool fears of a reacceleration in inflation," said Tina Adatia, head of fixed income client portfolio management at Goldman Sachs Asset Management.
Money Report
This data comes a day after the producer price index showed wholesale prices rose less than expected in December, easing investor concerns over a resurgence in inflation. However, the print did not alter market expectations for the Federal Reserve to hold interest rates steady at its Jan. 28-29 meeting.
"While today's release is likely insufficient to put a January rate cut back on the table, it strengthens the case that the Fed's cutting cycle has not yet run its course," Adatia said. "With labor market data remaining robust, however, the Fed has scope to be patient and more good inflation data will be required for the Fed to deliver further easing."
Later in the week, investors will turn attention to figures on retail sales and housing starts.