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The Intelligence from The Economist

View to a killing: bond yields rise and rise

Jan 14, 2025
Josh Roberts, a capital markets correspondent, discusses the surge in government bond yields, emphasizing the disparity between economic data and market expectations. He highlights the implications for borrowers amidst this financial uncertainty. Meanwhile, Henry Kerr, an economics editor, dives into the controversial idea of the U.S. purchasing Greenland and its geopolitical ramifications. They also touch on the challenges facing Singapore's beloved hawker centers, which are under threat despite being a cornerstone of the nation’s culinary culture.
23:25

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Rising government bond yields reflect increased borrowing costs among nations, complicating financial decisions for individuals and corporations despite lower central bank interest rates.
  • Singapore's hawker centers face cultural and economic threats due to declining interest in hawker work, despite government initiatives aimed at encouraging new entrants.

Deep dives

Rising Government Bond Yields

Government bond yields are experiencing a significant increase across wealthy nations, with yields on American treasury bonds nearing 5% and similar rises in Germany, Japan, and the UK. This trend indicates that governments are facing higher costs to service their debts, which also impacts other borrowers, including those seeking mortgages. Despite central banks cutting interest rates, market expectations are shifting toward potential future rate hikes, causing yields to rise. As a result, individuals and corporations are facing increased borrowing costs, complicating financial decisions for many consumers.

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