Freddie Mac sells new $3 billion seven-year reference notes: IFR

(Reuters) - Freddie Mac sold $3 billion of new seven-year reference notes on Thursday, said IFR, a Thomson Reuters service. The 1.75 percent notes, due May 30, 2019, were priced at 99.981 to yield 1.753 percent or 35 basis points over comparable Treasuries. The lead managers of the sale were Barclays, Citigroup, and UBS. Settlement is on Monday, April 16. (Reporting by Pam Niimi; Editing by James Dalgleish)

Jobless claims unexpectedly rise last week

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - New claims for unemployment benefits rose last week to their highest level since January, a development that could raise fears the labor market recovery was stalling after job creation slowed in March. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits increased 13,000 to a seasonally adjusted 380,000, the Labor Department said on Thursday. The prior week's figure was revised up to 367,000 from the previously reported 357,000. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast claims falling to 355,000 last week. ...

Producer prices flat in March on gasoline

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Producer prices were unexpectedly flat in March as a drop in gasoline costs offset rising food prices, according to a government report on Thursday that also showed moderate underlying inflation pressures. The Labor Department said its seasonally adjusted producer price index was unchanged last month after advancing 0.4 percent in February. Economists polled by Reuters had expected prices at farms, factories and refineries to rise 0.3 percent. Wholesale prices excluding volatile food and energy costs rose 0.3 percent after February's 0.2 percent gain. ...