Archive · 3 Oct 2026
Rising Global Bond Yields Challenge Equity Investors
Bond yields have been rising in many countries.
When yields rise, the prices of existing bonds often fall.
This has affected government bonds as well as bonds issued by companies.
The article says some US bonds now offer higher returns than they did earlier this year.
For investors in India, the author estimates that US bond returns could be higher when rupee depreciation is included.
The article compares those estimates with the historical average returns of India’s Nifty index.
It argues that bonds may now compete more strongly with shares for investors’ money.
These comparisons are estimates, not guaranteed future returns.
Global government bond yields rose during the week in most major economies, while China’s yields bucked the broader year-to-date trend.
French government bond credit-default-swap spreads climbed about 30 basis points to a 13-year high; US 10- and 30-year Treasury yields reached 24-year peaks.
Long-term US corporate bond ETFs have fallen about 8.5% from their 2026 highs, and yields on some major companies’ bonds have risen sharply.
The article estimates that US bond returns for Indian investors could approach 8.9% annually after assuming rupee depreciation, or 9–10% for some corporate bonds.
The author argues that elevated bond yields could make bonds a stronger alternative to equities, while noting the comparison relies on assumptions about returns and currency depreciation.
- Who
- Investors, including Indian investors considering US bonds, and global government and corporate bond issuers.
- What
- A broad rise in bond yields is making some bonds appear more competitive with equities.
- When
- The week described in the article, published October 3, 2026; the article says the bond-market rout has continued since the US-Iran war began.
- Where
- Global bond markets, with examples from the United States, France, Germany, China, Canada and India.
- Why
- The article describes the rise as reflecting broader pressures beyond short-term oil-price movements, but does not establish a single cause.
- Publication date
- October 3, 2026
- French government bond CDS spread
- Rose about 30 basis points in a week to a 13-year high
- US Treasury yields
- 10- and 30-year yields reached 24-year peaks during the week
- Long-term corporate bond ETFs
- VCLT, IGLB and SPLB were down about 8.5% from their 2026 highs in mid-February
- Estimated US Treasury return for Indian investors
- About 8.9% annually using a 5.3% 10-year Treasury yield and assumed rupee depreciation of 3.6%
- Estimated corporate bond return for Indian investors
- About 9–10% annually under the article’s assumptions
- Nifty comparison
- The article cites mean 10-year rolling returns of 12.1% over the last 15 years, and 13.5% for the total-return index