U.S. 10-Year Yield Surges to 4.595% on May 16, Highest Since February 2025; Chip Stocks Lead Decline

According to Jin10, on Friday (May 16), the U.S. 10-year Treasury yield surged to 4.595%, marking the highest level since February 2025 and the largest single-day jump in over a year. The 30-year yield climbed to 5.127%, the highest closing level since July 2007. Rising Treasury yields dampened investor appetite for equities as oil prices climbed amid Middle East tensions, reigniting inflation concerns.

U.S. equities declined sharply, with semiconductor stocks—which had surged over the past month—among the hardest hit. Asian markets also faced pressure, with South Korea's KOSPI index sliding over 6% and Japan's Nikkei 225 falling significantly after producer prices rose sharply in April.