Treasury prices edge down after auction

NEW YORK — Treasury bond prices are little changed, keeping interest rates near their lowest levels of the year.

Traders kept up their purchases of bonds after an auction of new 10-year notes was met with strong demand. Concerns about Europe's debt problems also prompted investors to keep buying lower-risk assets like bonds.

A rally on the stock market prompted some investors to sell bonds. Stocks rose after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said the central bank would be willing to consider additional stimulus measures for the economy if necessary.

The price of the 10-year note fell 9 cents per $100 invested in afternoon trading. The lower price raised the yield to 2.90 percent from 2.88 percent.

The Treasury sold $21 billion in 10-year notes at a yield of 2.91 percent.