Dimon’s view comes as long-dated bonds have come under pressure on concern that higher oil prices may compel central banks to raise interest rates. Add in worries over government spending in Japan, the UK and the US, as well as an artificial intelligence boom supporting growth in the world’s biggest economy, and investors have been seeking greater compensation to own longer-maturity debt.
“Bond rates can go up,” Dimon said. “The notion that somehow people say they will never go up is the wrong notion. Companies like us prepare for higher rates, lower rates.”Also Read: Tata Sons IPO could undermine group’s core role, says Tata Trusts veteran NA Soonawala
Yields on 30-year Treasuries rose to levels last seen in 2007 this week while the rate on two-year securities climbed to the highest since February 2025. The moves reflect investors’ worries about the inflationary impact of the Iran war and deficit risks in the world’s biggest economy.
“US government debt is $30 trillion, the average rate is 3.5%. Even today, they can’t possibly refinance it lower than that rate,” Dimon said. “They have another $2 trillion to do this year but the thing is we don’t know when — we don’t know when the world gets too scared about that, when inflation makes it where people don’t want to own long-term duration securities.”
