Finance & Currencies
US 30-year Treasury yield hits highest since 2007
The 30-year US Treasury yield climbed early Tuesday to 5.34 percent before pulling back, the highest level since 2007, as investors focused on inflation pressure, oil prices and US deficit spending.
The 10-year US Treasury yield stood at 4.71 percent, compared with 3.94 percent before the first US-Israel strikes on Iran in late February.
Fiona Cincotta, an analyst at Forex.com, said oil rising toward $90 a barrel had increased investor concern about a longer inflation shock. US consumer inflation slowed somewhat last month to 3.4 percent over the previous 12 months, but analysts cited in the market commentary expected the easing to be temporary.
CFRA Research analyst Sam Stovall said yields were rising because markets believed the Federal Reserve might be too slow to respond to high oil prices and inflation. The Fed kept interest rates unchanged on July 29 despite elevated inflation.
Saxo Markets analyst Neil Wilson said higher long-term yields reflected a lack of clear guidance from the Fed since Kevin Warsh became chair and dropped forward guidance for markets.
Debt supply is also adding pressure. US Treasury figures put national debt above $39.9 trillion, almost double the level from 2010. US officials last week raised $67 billion through 10- and 30-year bond auctions at the highest yields since 2007 and 2001, respectively.
Higher yields can feed into mortgage rates and interest rates on business loans, car loans and credit cards. Stovall said higher borrowing costs could lead businesses and consumers to reduce spending.
Stock markets also fell Tuesday as Brent crude traded above $91 a barrel and government bond yields climbed. In New York, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down 0.2 percent, the S&P 500 fell 0.7 percent and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 1.3 percent, their third straight losing session. European borrowing costs also rose, while bond yields in Japan reached their highest level in decades.
Update
The 30-year US Treasury yield climbed early Tuesday to 5.34 percent before pulling back, the highest level since 2007.
The 10-year US Treasury yield stood at 4.71 percent, compared with 3.94 percent before the first US-Israel strikes on Iran in late February.
US national debt has passed $39.9 trillion, according to US Treasury figures.
US officials raised $67 billion last week in 10- and 30-year bond auctions at the highest yields since 2007 and 2001, respectively.
Source note: AFP news report published on 19 August 2026 at 01:22:24 UTC.
Update
New York's three main indices fell for a third straight session, with the Nasdaq down 1.3 percent at the close.
Around 2020 GMT, Brent was at $91.02 a barrel and West Texas Intermediate was at $84.94.
Donald Trump said there were no US-Iran talks going on or scheduled and that the naval blockade remained in force.
Jared Kushner had said Monday that the United States and Iran were having positive and active conversations, but Trump denied that.
Source note: AFP news report published on 18 August 2026 at 20:24:50 UTC.
Update
US 10-year Treasury yields rose above 4.70 percent, a level not seen since June 2007.
In late-morning New York trading, the Nasdaq was down about 1.3 percent, the S&P 500 down 0.6 percent and the Dow down 0.2 percent.
Frankfurt and Paris closed about 0.8 percent lower, while London closed 0.1 percent higher.
Brent crude was at $91.32 a barrel and West Texas Intermediate at $84.33 around 1535 GMT.
Source note: AFP news report published on 18 August 2026 at 15:44:58 UTC.
Update
The 30-year US Treasury bond yield reached its highest level in nearly 20 years.
Updated early trading levels showed the Dow down 0.1%, the S&P 500 down 0.5% and the Nasdaq down 1.1%.
Yields also increased for bonds from Germany, Japan and other countries.
Jack Ablin of Cresset Capital said bond yields were weighing on equity markets and technology stocks in particular.
The jump in yields was linked to expectations that inflation will persist and concerns about fiscal deficits in the United States and other major economies.
Source note: AFP news report published on 18 August 2026 at 14:11:18 UTC.
Update
New York's Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq were all lower in early Tuesday trading.
US 10-year Treasury yields were about 4.75%, described as levels not seen since June 2007.
France's 10-year government bond yield reached its highest level since 2008.
Brent was around $91.13 and West Texas Intermediate around $84.49 at about 1335 GMT.
Source note: AFP news report published on 18 August 2026 at 13:47:59 UTC.
Update
Global stocks mostly fell on Tuesday after a US-Iran truce expired without a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Long-term US Treasury yields reached levels last seen in June 2007, while France's 30-year yield reached its highest level since 2008.
European equities were mostly lower around midday, while London was supported by energy companies and higher oil prices.
Tokyo closed down 2.5%, Seoul and Taipei fell more than 1%, and Hong Kong and Shanghai edged higher.
Brent was around $90 a barrel, with key figures at about 1110 GMT putting Brent at $90.81 and West Texas Intermediate at $84.92.
Source note: AFP news report published on 18 August 2026 at 11:29:45 UTC.
Update
Iran said talks with Oman on navigation through the Strait of Hormuz were continuing and that route coordinates had been agreed.
Iran said views were being exchanged on the text of a joint statement with Oman.
US President Donald Trump threatened to bomb Oman if it gets in the way of a deal with Iran on Hormuz.
Ghalibaf said Iran was ready to inflict what he called a more crushing defeat on the enemy.
Source note: AFP news report published on 18 August 2026 at 09:45:57 UTC.
Update
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the Strait of Hormuz would not reopen until American commitments in a memorandum of understanding are implemented.
Ghalibaf listed removal of a naval blockade, lifting oil sanctions and unfreezing Iranian assets abroad among Tehran's demands.
Source note: AFP news report published on 18 August 2026 at 09:16:03 UTC.
Update
Iranian negotiator Ghalibaf said the Strait of Hormuz will not open until the United States meets demands.
Source note: AFP news report published on 18 August 2026 at 09:04:27 UTC.
Update
At around 0810 GMT, West Texas Intermediate was up 0.6% at $85.01 a barrel and Brent was up 0.2% at $91.02.
Tokyo closed down 2.5% at 67,460.73, while Hong Kong, Shanghai, Manila, Wellington and Jakarta rose.
London was up 0.1%, while Paris and Frankfurt retreated.
Source note: AFP news report published on 18 August 2026 at 08:24:08 UTC.
Update
West Texas Intermediate was up 1.2% at $85.54 a barrel around 0715 GMT.
Brent North Sea crude was up 0.9% at $91.71 a barrel around 0715 GMT.
Asian stocks mostly fell, with Tokyo closing down 2.5% and Seoul and Taipei down more than 1%.
London edged higher at the open while Paris and Frankfurt retreated.
Source note: AFP news report published on 18 August 2026 at 07:34:06 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The duration of inflation pressure and high bond yields remains a market forecast rather than an established outcome.
Source
AFP news report published on .