Bonds

• Asian stocks and bonds fell recently following a rise in oil prices and new inflation data. • U.S. Treasury yields reached multiyear highs as investors anticipated a potential interest rate hike from the Federal Reserve. • Higher borrowing costs and rising energy prices create financial strain for bondholders and equity investors in Asian markets.

• Investors are focusing on upcoming U.S. inflation data and an expected interest rate hike from the European Central Bank. • Poland's central bank is expected to keep its key interest rate unchanged at 3.75% during its decision on Wednesday. • These economic indicators will determine if the Federal Reserve continues to raise interest rates, affecting global currency and bond markets.

• Wall Street closed lower as oil prices surged, though the market still recorded overall gains for the month of August. • Brent crude experienced its strongest single-day increase since late July, driven by the resumption of military strikes between the U.S. and Iran. • Separate economic discussions highlight arguments that a significant appreciation of the Chinese yuan could reduce global imbalances and financial instability.

• The TSX closed 0.8% lower as escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran weighed on investor sentiment, though the index maintained its fifth-month gain. • Brent crude oil prices surged, recording their strongest single-day performance since late July following the resumption of military strikes between the U.S. and Iran. • Separately, economists are debating whether a significant appreciation of the Chinese yuan is necessary to reduce global economic instability and fix China's massive trade surplus.

• US stock futures remained flat and bond yields rose as investors awaited a key address from Fed chief Kevin Warsh. • Warsh is scheduled to deliver a speech at the Jackson Hole symposium today at 10:00 AM ET. • Market participants are seeking specific clarity on Warsh's current economic outlook and his strategic plan to return inflation to the Fed's 2% target.

• Stock futures remained flat and bond prices dropped as investors awaited a highly anticipated speech by Kevin Warsh at the Jackson Hole symposium. • Market participants are currently hesitant to increase exposure due to the ambiguity of Warsh's recent comments, leading to conflicting expectations. • The uncertainty has split the market, with some traders bracing for a hawkish policy stance while others anticipate a more dovish message.

Savings bank estimates there will be 308,000 more prizes available in September draw than the month beforePremium bond holders will have more chances of winning prizes after changes announced this week.From September there will be more prizes up for grabs for the 22 million people who hold the government-backed savings bonds. Continue reading...

• The US Treasury has announced it will double its buyback program for long-dated bonds to improve market liquidity and stabilize yields. • Following the announcement, yields on 30-year bonds dropped as investors reacted to the increased government support. • This move is significant because it aims to reduce volatility in the long-term debt market and ensure smoother functioning of Treasury securities.

• Euro zone government bond yields paused their recent upward trend on Wednesday, following a period of stability in the U.S. Treasury market. • Despite the stabilization in bonds, global markets remain under pressure due to a continuous surge in oil prices. • The shift in bond yields reflects a fluctuating global sentiment as investors balance Treasury stability against rising energy costs.

• Global bond and stock markets experienced significant volatility as escalating tensions in the Middle East disrupted previous market stability. • Investors reacted to the geopolitical instability, leading to a "jolt" in asset prices as risk appetite declined. • This shift matters because Middle East instability often triggers spikes in energy prices and creates broader economic uncertainty for global investors.

• Yields on longer-dated euro zone bonds surged to multi-year highs on Tuesday, joining a broader global bond selloff. • The spike is driven by rising oil prices and inflation fears resulting from the lack of a quick resolution to the conflict in Iran. • Investors are now anticipating a quarter-point interest rate hike from the European Central Bank (ECB) to combat these inflationary pressures.

• Asian stock markets showed mixed results on Thursday, driven by a decline in semiconductor shares and volatility following the Federal Reserve's latest policy decision. • U.S. Treasury yields climbed to multi-decade highs, while corporate stocks diverged as Microsoft rose on cloud growth and Meta fell due to its financial forecasts. • South Korea introduced new stabilization measures to support its domestic stock market after experiencing a significant rout.

• The Federal Reserve implemented a "hawkish hold," maintaining current interest rates while signaling a potential for future hikes. • Market uncertainty was high leading into the decision, with Deutsche Bank noting a 36% probability of a rate hike, marking the most uncertain Fed meeting since December 2018. • This stance creates a volatile environment for stocks and bonds as investors struggle to predict the timing of future policy shifts.

Campaigners hope move will force commercial banks to rethink holding assets linked to the fossil fuelClimate campaigners have declared a victory after the Bank of England said it would no longer accept bonds linked to one of the most polluting industries on the planet for key loan arrangements.The ban, which comes into force in October, marks a fresh crackdown on thermal coal, which is burned in power plants to create electricity, and has long been a target of green policy activists. Continue reading...

• Major technology firms, including Oracle, are increasingly turning to the bond market to secure the massive funding required to build AI data centers. • S&P Global downgraded Oracle's debt on July 9, noting that the company's financial health has been deteriorating. • This downgrade leaves Oracle's debt just one notch above "junk bond" status, signaling a significant increase in financial risk.

• Tech giants are engaging in a historic borrowing spree, issuing roughly $250 billion in bonds to fund the massive infrastructure requirements of artificial intelligence. • This surge in supply is weighing down bond prices as the market struggles to absorb the sheer volume of new debt. • The trend highlights the immense capital intensity of the AI race, forcing Wall Street investors to question whether the pace of spending is sustainable.

• Major tech firms, including Amazon, Microsoft (MSFT), and Meta Platforms Inc., are increasing the issuance of high-rated corporate bonds as of July 02, 2026. • This trend is driven by the need to fund massive investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure, with Microsoft currently holding a market capitalization of approximately $2.9 trillion. • The surge in high-rated debt raises concerns among investors regarding the long-term risks and sustainability of AI-driven capital expenditures.

• Global investors poured US$8.2 billion into bonds across Thailand, Indonesia, India, and Malaysia in June, marking a peak in inflows for over two years. • This surge in funding occurs despite ongoing market concerns regarding potential interest rate hikes from the U.S. Federal Reserve. • Investors are now awaiting upcoming inflation data from China, Taiwan, Thailand, and the Philippines to determine if price pressures are stabilizing.

• UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall and Manchester City star Phil Foden connected over their shared experience of missing major sporting events in the United States. • Aspinall is currently sidelined due to an eye injury sustained during his first title defense against Ciryl Gane last year. • Foden is also absent from the U.S. after failing to make the England squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Trump warning over peace talks drives up crude price as UK gilts hit by uncertainty over Starmer leadershipBusiness live – latest updatesOil prices rose and global bonds wobbled on Monday, as fresh tensions in the Middle East fed inflation fears and bets that central banks will have to increase interest rates.Brent crude, the international benchmark for oil, rose on Monday, after an attack on a nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates. Continue reading...

Two-month-old Elmer, painstakingly saved by canola oil baths, finds home with volunteer Leah Owens, 72A two-month-old kitten whose life was saved when he was rescued from a bucket of glue has bonded with the foster parent who helped him to recover – and is sticking with her permanently.Staff at the Humane Society of North Texas say they were swamped with applications to adopt tiny Elmer after the non-profit shared on social media in mid-April the story of how the cat was found dehydrated and close to death in a pot of glue – before being painstakingly nursed back to health with canola oil baths and hours of massages. Continue reading...

• The U.S. Treasury successfully auctioned $42 billion in new 10-year notes on April 25, 2026, with the coupon rate settling at 4.38% amid continued demand from foreign central banks and domestic pension funds. • Bid-to-cover ratio reached 2.38x, slightly above the six-month average, indicating solid underlying demand despite elevated yields and concerns about federal deficit growth, which is projected to reach $1.8 trillion for fiscal year 2026. • The auction results suggest stabilization in long-term borrowing costs after weeks of volatility, potentially reducing pressure on the Federal Reserve to adjust its benchmark rate at the May 2 policy meeting.