Bund yields hit 15-17 year highs on ECB hikes and global selloff
ECB rate hikes and global bond selloff The ECB raised rates for the first time since 2023 to 2.50%, joining a historic global bond selloff. This pushed Germany's 10-year yield to 15- and 17-year highs as investors demanded higher returns.
This is the main new force that drove Bund yields sharply higher in Q3 2026.
Strong eurozone data and energy-driven inflation Strong eurozone economic data and energy-driven inflation above 3% with oil near $95 raised inflation expectations. This added to upward pressure on long-term borrowing costs, reinforcing the yield surge.
It explains the economic and inflation backdrop that amplified the selloff in Bunds.
Heavy German and French bond supply Heavy bond issuance from Germany and France, driven by deficit spending, increased the supply of government bonds. More supply weighed on prices and pushed yields higher.
It highlights a key supply-side factor that contributed to the rise in yields.
Falling inflation expectations and safe-haven flows Eurozone inflation expectations fell for a third month to 2.9%, and ECB's Lagarde downplayed an October hike, cutting market odds to one in three. Safe-haven flows from French budget worries also supported Bunds, stalling the yield climb by early October.
It shows the counterweight that partly offset the yield rise and prevented further increases.