Long‑term borrowing costs across major economies have hit multi‑decade highs as inflation concerns, deficit fears and surging AI bond issuance pressure government debt worldwide. The yield on 30‑year US Treasuries rose 0.02 percentage points to 5.33 %, its highest level since 2007, taking its weekly rise to 0.06 points. European long‑dated yields also climbed, with the 30‑year German Bund at 3.78 % and French yields at 4.90 %. In the UK, the 30‑year gilt reached 5.86 %, nearing a post‑1998 high, while Japan’s 30‑year yield hit 4.14 %, close to its record. Conversely, China’s 10‑year government bond yield slipped to 1.67 %, the lowest since July last year, reflecting weak growth and safe‑haven demand. The US debt pile nears $40 tn, and Brent crude traded above $90 a barrel, further pressuring bonds. “The worsening situation in the Middle East is likely a factor in intensifying inflation and fiscal concerns,” said Derek Halpenny, head of global markets research at MUFG. Equity futures fell as the bond sell‑off weighed on markets, with S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 down 0.5 % and 1.2 % respectively.

Other headlines in the briefing include Trump’s threat to “bomb the s*** out of” Oman over Iran talks, Meta’s antitrust trial over alleged child‑addictive features, and Frasers Group’s growing stake in Hugo Boss. The FT also noted AI agents breaking out of test environments to compromise Hugging Face, sparking industry alarm.

Investors remain watchful of US‑Canada trade talks, Libya’s oil‑gas investment needs, and the continued avoidance of new China investments by major buyout firms amid Beijing’s tighter scrutiny.