The likelihood of a Federal Reserve rate cut in September is now seen near 100% after new data showed U.S. inflation increased at a moderate pace in July and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he thought an aggressive half-point cut was possible given recent weak employment numbers.

Short-term U.S. government bonds are underperforming longer-duration Treasurys after San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly pushed back against the need for an interest-rate cut of 50 basis points at the Federal Reserve's September meeting.

The current Federal Reserve interest rate is significantly higher than necessary and should be lowered, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Wednesday.