Government securities traded higher yesterday, aided by weak economic data and a firm dollar.

"It would take some really weak data to get rates to move back toward their lows."

This, they said, allowed the market to disregard some stronger economic numbers and focus on the weak data instead.

He added, "The market would need to see weak economic data for September to accomplish that."

The weak economic data also sent the dollar lower against the euro and the Japanese yen.

Other shares also fell later in the week as weak consumer-confidence data revived concern about spending and economic growth.

Analysts said that over all the weak data released in the morning touched off the rally.

Despite the weaker economic data, some traders said the recent price rise was not likely to be sustained.

For the third consecutive day, market participants bought on weak economic data that pointed to continued low inflation.

But the weak data mean that Europe's biggest problem - persistently high levels of unemployment - is not about to go away soon.