Archived IMT (2009.04.23)

US jobless claims +17K to 640K w/in expectations while continud claims hit new record high of 6.14 mln, helping 10-year bond yields to come off their 2.92% highs, which is a positive for stocks. Markets await US existing home sales and whether they rise for the second straight month (Februarys 5.1% jump). USDCAD briefly slipped after Canadian retail sales +0.2% vs expectations of -0.3%, while autos +0.2% vs expectations of +0.6%, but traders cautious ahead of BoC report at 14:30 GMT.