Savings Bonds Sales Higher: Sales of U.S....

Savings Bonds Sales Higher: Sales of U.S. savings bonds increased 3.2% in March to $713 million, the Treasury Department reported. Sales for the first six months of fiscal 1989, which began last October, totaled $4.02 billion, up 9.5% from the comparable period a year earlier. Effective last Nov. 1 through April 30, bonds held five years or longer earn at an annual rate of 7.35% for the six months, up from 6.9% during the previous six months. On May 1, a new rate will take effect based on open market interest rates.