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US Treasury yields fall as investors flee to safe-haven assets

A combination of technology sector weakness and escalating Middle East tensions has triggered a flight to safety, with US government bonds emerging as the preferred destination for risk-averse investors across regional markets.

LSN Singapore · 23 October 2026

US Treasury yields fall as investors flee to safe-haven assets

US Treasury securities rallied sharply on Wednesday as mounting geopolitical concerns and deteriorating sentiment in technology stocks prompted a broad reassessment of investment risk. The demand surge pushed yields lower across the maturity spectrum, with investors prioritising the capital preservation offered by American government debt.

The dual pressures driving the Treasury rally reflect deepening anxieties among market participants. Concerns about a potential slowdown in the artificial intelligence sector, which has dominated equity market gains this year, have sparked a rotation out of growth-oriented stocks. Simultaneously, fresh tensions in the Middle East have compounded worries about global stability, accelerating the shift towards lower-risk assets.

For regional investors monitoring US financial markets, the Treasury rally underscores the persistent appeal of American government debt as a volatility hedge. Despite recent efforts by the US Federal Reserve to reduce its balance sheet, foreign central banks and institutional investors continue to view Treasuries as essential portfolio anchors during periods of elevated uncertainty.

Analysts expect Treasury demand to remain robust as long as equity market volatility persists and geopolitical tensions remain unresolved. The yield decline also carries implications for regional bond markets, potentially influencing borrowing costs and investment flows across South and Southeast Asia.