Interest rates fluctuate as traders remain anxious after weak home sales, durable goods orders

Interest rates hover near lowest levels of year

NEW YORK — Interest rates are fluctuating in the bond market, keeping rates near their lowest levels in more than a year.

Traders remained anxious and held onto their investments in Treasurys after housing and durable goods orders reports provided the latest signals of flagging economic growth.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury note hit its lowest level since January 2009 after a report said sales of new homes fell to record lows and orders for big-ticket goods didn’t grow as fast as expected last month. That yield is often used to set rates on mortgages and consumer loans.

The 10-year yield fell as low as 2.42 percent during morning trading before climbing back to 2.48 percent Wednesday afternoon.