ECB President Lagarde said in Bangkok that a global bond sell-off has pushed up
euro-area borrowing costs, weighing on growth and ultimately reducing
inflationary pressure. Rising yields reflect investor concerns about debt and
inflation and increased credit competition from AI-related investment; heavily
indebted France is among the worst affected. She warned that tighter financing
conditions and a marked rise in long-term yields since the last ECB meeting will
make it harder for consumers to absorb Iran-war driven fuel-price increases and
will slow growth, weakening price pass-through versus the ECB’s September
forecast.