treasury yields posted their biggest weekly gains in more than a month on friday after data showed us consumer sentiment improving and philadelphia federal reserve president patrick harker said he sees growing odds of a soft landing for the economy the university of michigans survey of us consumers found that sentiment was essentially unchanged since january even though the corresponding index rose to 664 in early february from 649 last month recent developments in the economy both positive and negative have led to mixed attitudes among consumers the university said overall high prices continued to weigh on consumers despite a recent moderation in inflation and sentiment remains more than 22 below its historical average since 1978 according to a release on friday seeconsumer sentiment in us climbs to 13month highalso on friday harker of the philadelphia fed said in an interview with wharton business radio that he favors pushing the central banks main interest rate target above 5 and the odds are growing that policy makers can combat inflation without creating a recession treasury yields have risen this week as traders moved closer to the federal reserves forecast for the fedfunds rate to peak above 5 and scaled back their expectations for rate cuts by yearend the spread between 10 and 2year treasury notes went less negative on friday than the previous day the 10year yield traded 768 basis points below the yield on the 2year note the spread had finished the us session on thursday at minus 825 basis points an inversion of that measure of the yield curve which typically slopes upward is seen as a reliable recession indicator though some analysts and economists including the researcher who first popularized the relationship have questioned its predictive power in the current environment also see economist who pioneered use of closely followed recession tool says it may be sending false signal improved consumer sentiment will likely reignite conversations about a softish landing said jeffrey roach chief economist for lpl financial the fed still has work to do in squelching inflation the economy is steadily slowing yet conditions are stable enough for the economy to eke out growth this year