US 10-year yields reach 5%, highest since 2023

NEW YORK: Benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury yields climbed above 5% on Monday, the highest level since October 2023 and a closely watched psychological threshold that analysts say could ripple through the U.S. economy and threaten the bull market in stocks by denting the relative appeal of U.S. equities.

Yields have surged as traders price in the possibility that the Federal Reserve will need to keep interest rates higher for longer, after a jump in oil prices revived fears of renewed inflation pressure. Price pressures have already been running well above the central bank’s 2% annual target.

The yield on the 10-year notes was last up 3.51 basis points at 5.01%.

Heavy debt issuance, including by companies financing record AI-related spending, has added to the move by creating a larger supply of bonds for potential buyers to choose from and limiting the prices that sellers can demand.

Traders are also focused on the deteriorating U.S. fiscal trajectory, with some arguing that Washington’s widening deficits and rising debt load require a higher yield premium to keep drawing buyers. A still-resilient U.S. growth outlook has also underpinned the move.

Some analysts view 5% on the 10-year as a critical line that could make bonds more competitive with stocks, potentially pulling dollars out of equities. Higher Treasury yields also flow through to the broader economy through costlier mortgages, auto and consumer loans, and more expensive corporate and municipal borrowing.