Treasuries fell on Thursdays as stronger earnings sent investors looking for riskier stocks, weakening demand for relatively safe, but low yielding government debt.

Retailers released earnings today indicating that while shoppers are shying from more expensive department stores and specialty stores, they're migrating to wholesale and discount stores. Wal-Mart stores reported a rise in same-store sales for March, while wholesaler Costco also posted an increase.

Meanwhile Goldman Sachs chief executive Lloyd Blankfein told shareholders today that the effect on markets from the current credit crisis was near an end, but wouldn't commit to an exact date.

Two-year Treasury notes fell 5/32 in price to yield 1.847 percent. Ten-year notes were down 17/32 in price to yield 2.545 percent at 5:22 p.m. in New York.

Lloyd blankfein Investment Walmart Marketing