Euro zone inflation expectations among bond investors hit their highest levels in years today, putting additional pressure on the European Central Bank and its insistence on maintaining crisis-era stimulus.
Shortages of workers, fuel, cargo ships, semiconductors and building materials as the global economy bounces back after pandemic lockdowns have companies from electric car makers to chocolatiers scrambling to keep a lid on costs.
Some of the world's biggest brands are now passing on higher prices to consumers and are warning any policymakers sitting on the inflationary fence that things are going to get worse.
The German 10-year breakeven inflation rate, which represents the difference in yield between a nominal bond and its inflation-indexed counterpart, rose to around 1.81%, the highest since April 2013.
A similar gauge in the US held at its highest level since August 2006 at 2.64%.
Global supply chain problems as the world economy reopens from Covid-19 lockdowns and labour shortages have fuelled price pressures.
But unlike some other major central banks like the US Federal Reserve and the Bank of England, European Central Bank policymakers are yet to clearly signal they would unwind pandemic-era stimulus.
Rising inflation expectations also pulled nominal bond yields higher, with Italy's 10-year government bond yield hitting its highest level in five months at 0.973%.
