French 10-year bond yields hit 5%, highest since 2002

By Amanda Cooper LONDON, Oct 21 (Reuters) France s 10-year government bond yield hit the 5% mark on Wednesday, a new ​24-year high, the latest sign ‌of growing concern among investors over France s ability to restore its fragile finances. Government bond yields have risen around the world this year, in light ‌of ​the surge in energy ⁠prices that has prompted ⁠central banks to respond with interest-rate rises. Developed market governments are also dealing with ballooning debt piles, and France has seen ​its borrowing costs rise more than most peers. France s 10-year bond yield touched ⁠5.002% as of 0914 ⁠GMT, and was last up about ​8 basis points on the day at ​just below 5%. Meanwhile, the premium investors demand ‌to hold French bonds over benchmark 10-year German Bunds was at around 157 bps, nearing levels last seen in 2011. The ⁠gap between French and German yields reflects the extra return investors demand for lending to the ⁠former. French bonds ‌are under pressure because a ⁠we