U.S. Treasury Yields Hit 24-Year High Amid Biggest Bond Selloff Since 2002

The benchmark 10-year yield briefly reached approximately 5.36% before retreating, reflecting sharp swings in a market already experiencing its largest quarterly yield increase since 1994.

According to official Treasury data, the 10-year yield stood at 5.22% on October 8, after reaching 5.28% the previous day on a closing basis.

Bond prices and yields move in opposite directions. When investors sell existing government bonds, their prices fall, pushing yields higher.

The latest selloff reflects several overlapping pressures.

Rising oil prices have revived inflation concerns, reducing expectations for near-term monetary easing. Meanwhile, Washington's enormous borrowing requirements are increasing the supply of government debt.

The combination forces investors to demand higher returns for holding longer-term securities.

Recent U.S. debt growth has intensified those concerns, particularly as interest expenses consume a growing share of federal spending.

Higher yields also affect stocks. Investors can earn more than 5% on government debt, making expensive equity valuations harder to justify.

That pressure is particularly relevant for technology companies whose valuations depend on earnings expected years into the future.

Despite the turbulence, Treasury auctions have demonstrated that demand for U.S. government debt remains substantial.

Thursday's $22 billion auction of 30-year bonds attracted solid demand, even as the securities sold at a yield of 5.618%, the highest auction yield since 2000.

The outcome helped pull longer-term yields lower.

Meanwhile, bond funds attracted approximately $26.4 billion in inflows over five days through October 1, illustrating how higher yields are attracting investors seeking income.

The trend supports the argument that Treasury valuations are becoming increasingly attractive despite short-term losses.

A Reuters survey of nearly 60 fixed-income strategists projects the 10-year Treasury yield could decline toward 5.00% by year-end.

However, persistent inflation and government borrowing could keep yields elevated.

For equities, the consequences are already visible. The latest stock-market pullback coincided with renewed bond volatility and rising energy prices.