TREASURIES-Yields steady after data, before early Easter close

U.S. Treasury yields firmed early on Thursday but ticked down slightly after the release of fourth quarter U.S. data showing faster-than-previously reported economic growth, remaining in narrow bands ahead of an early close before the Friday's market holiday. Thanks to strong consumer spending and business investment in nonresidential structures like factories, gross domestic product increased at a 3.4% annualized rate last quarter, revised up from the previously reported 3.2% pace, the Commerce Department said in its third estimate of fourth-quarter GDP. A separate report from the Labor Department on Thursday showed initial claims for state unemployment benefits fell 2,000 to a seasonally adjusted 210,000 for the week ended March 23.