Rates inched lower Thursday as weak economic data in Europe boosted mortgage-backed securities. Second quarter GDP was flat in the 18-member Euro currency block, according to the European Union’s statistics office. GDP contracted by 0.2% in Germany, Europe’s strongest economy. The the U.S., weekly Jobless Claims rose to 311,000, above expectations. Import Prices fell by 0.2%, in line with forecast. Results from today’s 30-year Treasury auction will be released at 1:00 PM.