French 10-year bond yields hit 5% for first time since 2002

Briefing by News4U · First published 2026-10-22 08:35:45 UTC

Yields on French government bonds rose above 5% amid budget delays and violent protests, widening the spread versus German bonds to its highest since 2011.

French 10-year bond yields climbed above 5% for the first time since 2002 as investors reacted to the government’s failure to pass a 2027 budget and to recent riots that followed student-led protests over living costs and education funding. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

The yield rose more than eight basis points to 5% before easing to 4.99%, while the spread versus German bonds reached its widest level since 2011. [3] [5] [6]

Sources

1. French Bond Yields Hit Multiyear Highs, U.S. Treasury Yields Edge Higher

   WSJ Markets · 2026-10-21 06:28:00 UTC · Summary only

2. France’s borrowing costs hit 5% for first time since 2002

   FT Europe · 2026-10-21 08:17:23 UTC · Summary only

3. French borrowing costs hit 24-year high as civil unrest and budget fears spook markets

   The Guardian Business · 2026-10-21 13:17:32 UTC · Full text

4. French bond yields hit 24-year high after unrest

   France 24 Business · 2026-10-21 20:43:53 UTC · Excerpt

5. French Government-Bond Yields Rise, Spread Widens as Treasury Yields Fall

   WSJ Markets · 2026-10-22 07:21:00 UTC · Summary only

6. France’s borrowing costs reach 24-year high as riots deepen budget worries

   SCMP Business · 2026-10-22 08:00:10 UTC · Summary only

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