Bond yields jump as surging oil prices spark renewed inflation fears

What happened: The 10-year yield (^TNX), used as a benchmark for mortgages and loans, rose about 6 basis points to 4.59% on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the 30-year yield (^TYX) climbed to 5.08% as oil prices surged amid renewed tensions between the US and Iran.

Why it's important: Yields on long-dated bonds were testing key psychological levels for investors after President Trump signaled the ceasefire between the US and Iran is "over."

Brent crude crossed $80 per barrel as stocks fell, with investors anticipating that the Federal Reserve may have to tighten monetary policy to combat inflation.

"While the market moves are not as pronounced as they were when the war began initially, the reaction is a stark reminder that geopolitical tensions remain front and center," Robert Edwards, chief investment officer of Edwards Asset Management, noted on Wednesday.

What else you need to know: Despite the volatility in bonds on Wednesday, UBS analysts remained confident yields should ease in the second half of the year.

"Persistent inflation concerns have kept global bond yields elevated, but we expect them to fall as the year progresses, " UBS analysts wrote in a note on Wednesday.

"We believe policymakers are likely to maintain their hawkish stance for a while longer, but once they become more confident that second-round inflation effects are limited," they added.

Ines Ferre is a senior business reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on X at @ines_ferre.

Click here for the latest technology news that will impact the stock market

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance