Aug 18, 2026 · 11 min
Bond yields climb as deficits test markets and research
Worldwide Bond Selloff Accelerates
Rising government borrowing costs are colliding with fragile bond demand, tighter research funding and new pressures on media and technology institutions.
- 1Large deficits and weak demand are pushing long-term government yields higher, raising borrowing costs across the economy.
- 2Universities and scientists are seeking private alternatives as federal research funding becomes less predictable and potentially more influential.
- 3Disney is challenging the FCC over ABC’s broadcast licenses while airlines and OpenAI compete through upgraded passenger and safety features.
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Sam Goldfarb connects rising long-term yields to deficits and weak bond demand, showing how higher borrowing costs can spread through the economy.
The brief
The episode opens with Disney suing the FCC over ABC’s broadcast-license review, then turns to American Airlines’ plan for seatback screens, more first-class rows and added legroom.
Sam Goldfarb explains why long-term government yields are reaching levels unseen in decades: large deficits and weak bond demand are raising borrowing costs for governments, companies and households.
Stocks, especially chip shares, fell as federal research funding tightened. Universities and scientists are seeking grants from foundations and corporations, but access varies and private money may reshape priorities.
OpenAI’s teen-focused ChatGPT adds Study Mode and stronger safeguards around self-harm, eating disorders and violence, linking the product to the show’s AI Therapist series.
The episode ends with Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan’s obscure-word game, which has occasionally confused analysts and even been misrecorded by a financial data service.
Featuring
Joe FlintMentioned
Walt Disney
National Institutes of HealthListen to the full episode and explore every guest, topic, and moment on PodLume.