US 30-year Treasury yield hits highest level since 2004 at 5%
Summary
The US long-dated borrowing costs surged as the yield on the 30-year Treasury reached 5.44%, the highest level since 2004, amid persisting inflation fears and strong economic growth. This spike has been fueled by geopolitical tensions, notably the ongoing conflict involving the US and Israel against Iran, which has driven up energy prices. Despite these rising yields, the resilience of the US economy and robust corporate profits have so far allowed investors to absorb the increased borrowing costs. However, the situation poses challenges for consumers, with 30-year mortgage rates climbing to around 7%, marking a significant increase from before the conflict began. In an attempt to mitigate this pressure, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has implemented debt buyback strategies, although these interventions have had limited effect on stabilizing yields.