Summary Box: Yields increase after reports on manufacturing, jobs reduce demand for safety

Summary Box: Interest rates rise on upbeat reports

RISKY MOVES: Treasury prices fell and yields rose Thursday after improved signals about manufacturing and jobs eased demand for safe holdings. Investors were still cautious ahead of the government’s March employment report Friday.

FACTORIES HUM: The Institute for Supply Management, a trade group, said its manufacturing index increased in March at the fastest pace in 5 1/2 years. That raised expectations that the economy is improving.

UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS FALL: The Labor Department said a four-week average of unemployment claims fell to its lowest level in 18 months.