Short-dated U.S. Treasury yields moved higher on Friday following fresh data showing U.S. consumer sentiment plunged to a record low in May.
The two-year Treasury note yield led the advance, rising 4.8 basis points to 4.127%. The five-year Treasury yield increased by 2.5 basis points to 4.268%, while the 10-year Treasury note yield edged up 0.4 basis points to 4.573%.
The University of Michigan’s consumer survey reported that sentiment among U.S. households fell to its lowest reading on record in May. The survey linked part of the decline to a sharp rise in gasoline prices, a move attributed in the report to the ongoing war with Iran.
Market participants noted the spread between the two-year and 10-year Treasury notes stood at 44.9 basis points, reflecting the relative move in shorter-term yields compared with the 10-year benchmark.
Earlier in the week, a broader selloff in Treasuries pushed yields to multi-month or multi-year highs. Notably, the 10-year yield hit its highest level since January 2025 on Tuesday. Yields subsequently eased somewhat after Iran said it was reviewing the latest proposed peace deal with the U.S.
The conflict between Iran and other parties has lasted approximately three months and has been linked to upward pressure on energy prices, according to the information cited in the consumer survey.
Taken together, the Michigan sentiment data and recent yield movements highlight how geopolitical developments and energy-price volatility are influencing both household sentiment and fixed-income markets. The most pronounced yield moves were concentrated in shorter-dated notes, with smaller increases observed on the five- and 10-year maturities.
Market participants will be watching for any further developments in the diplomatic discussions referenced by Iran and for additional economic data that could influence the path of interest rates and household confidence.