Euro Zone Bond Yields Edge Higher Amid U.S. Inflation Anticipation

Euro zone bond yields inched upward on Wednesday as investors braced for a U.S. consumer inflation report expected to steer Federal Reserve policy and influence global central banks. Germany's 10-year bond yield, the euro zone benchmark, rose by 2 basis points to 2.206%, moving inversely with bond prices.

The significant drop in German yields, from a six-month high of 2.707% in May, signals cooling inflation in both the euro zone and the U.S., easing investors' fears of further rate cuts by the European Central Bank this year. The U.S. consumer price index (CPI), set to be released at 1230 GMT, is anticipated to show a steady 3% year-on-year rate for July, with a 0.2% month-on-month core CPI increase.

Benjamin Schroeder, senior rates strategist at ING, noted that a 0.2% core CPI would likely support a Federal Reserve rate cut in September, further boosting market sentiment. French inflation figures revised to 2.7% for July added minor upward pressure on bond yields. Italy's 10-year yield rose slightly to 3.584%, tightening its spread with Germany's yield.

(With inputs from agencies.)