Summary Box: Interest rates rise after Treasury auction of two-year notes draws tepid interest

Summary Box: Rates rise after weak auction results

WEAK DEMAND: Interest rates climbed in the bond market Thursday after a government debt auction drew tepid demand. Auctions Tuesday and Wednesday also saw lower demand.

NOT THAT INTERESTED: The auction of $32 billion in seven-year notes saw demand fall from the past two months. That means the government could have to start offering higher interest rates to attract buyers.

BERNANKE SAYS: Testimony from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke affirmed the government’s pledge to keep interest rates near zero for an extended period.