Bund yields hit 15-year high on ECB hike, global selloff
ECB rate hike and further tightening expectations The ECB raised rates for the first time since 2023 to 2.50%, and markets priced two to three more hikes. Higher rates make existing bonds less attractive, pushing prices down and yields up.
This was the primary catalyst for the yield surge, directly impacting bond prices.
Global bond selloff and strong economic data A historic global bond selloff, strong eurozone data, and US yields near 5.24% added upward pressure on Bund yields. Energy-driven inflation above 3% with oil over $100 also weighed on prices.
These external and domestic factors reinforced the selloff, driving yields higher.
Late-quarter counterweights: falling inflation expectations and safe-haven flows Falling inflation expectations (2.9%), Lagarde's pushback on back-to-back hikes, reduced October hike odds, and safe-haven flows from France's budget crisis narrowed yields, providing some support to prices.
These factors emerged late and acted as a counterbalance, partially reversing the yield surge.