Investors tell the Financial Times that France has supplanted Italy as the market's focal point for European debt sustainability concerns. France faces tricky budget talks next month and a presidential election next year amid rising support for far-left and far-right parties. Italian benchmark 10-year yields have historically exceeded France's, but this summer traded mostly below French 10s as investors demanded higher risk premia for French debt — a reversal market participants say signals a ma

Investors tell the Financial Times that France has supplanted Italy as the market's focal point for European debt sustainability concerns. France faces tricky budget talks next month and a presidential election next year amid rising support for far-left and far-right parties. Italian benchmark 10-year yields have historically exceeded France's, but this summer traded mostly below French 10s as investors demanded higher risk premia for French debt — a reversal market participants say signals a material shift in perceived relative risk. Barclays European rates strategist Rohan Khanna said most market actors now point to France as the weak link, warning bond investors face a "perfect storm" of growth, political and fiscal risks.