U.S. Treasury yields climbed on Friday in response to a robust jobs report that exceeded expectations. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note rose to 4.45%, while the 2-year Treasury yield, which is more sensitive to near-term interest rate expectations, increased to 4.90%.
The Labor Department reported that the U.S. economy added 272,000 jobs in May, significantly higher than the consensus forecast of 182,000. The unemployment rate remained steady at 4.0%.
The strong labor market data has led investors to believe that the Federal Reserve may be less inclined to cut interest rates in the near future. Market participants are now pricing in a lower probability of rate cuts in September and December.
“The jobs report was undeniably strong, and it reinforces the view that the Fed will remain patient in its approach to monetary policy,” said an analyst at a major investment bank. “We expect yields to remain elevated in the coming weeks as the market adjusts to the new reality.”
The rise in Treasury yields also impacted other asset classes, with stocks experiencing a slight pullback. The dollar strengthened against other major currencies.
Investors will continue to monitor economic data closely in the coming weeks for further clues about the Fed’s policy intentions. The next key event will be the release of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) data, which is scheduled for release next week.