Benchmark Treasury bonds were flat on Wednesday as the faster pace of expansion in the U.S. service sector was offset by disappointing jobs growth in the private sector.</br></br>In late afternoon trading, the benchmark 10-year note was flat, yielding 2.285%.</br></br>The yield was 3% at the start of January. Yields fall as prices rise.</br></br>The monthly gauge of the service sector from the Institute for Supply Management rose to 59.3 last month, the latest signal the U.S. economy has gained traction.</br></br>The upbeat report sent prices of shorter-dated notes lower as it bolstered expectations the Federal Reserve will start raising interest rates sometime next year.