US stocks ended mixed on September 24 as the 10-year Treasury yield climbed to 5.223%, its highest level since June 2007. The 30-year yield reached 5.501%, its highest since June 2004, while the two-year yield rose to 4.941%. Strong manufacturing and services data, persistent inflation concerns and Brent crude above $106 a barrel lifted the market-implied probability of an October Federal Reserve rate hike above 70%, from about 55% a week earlier. The Dow fell 0.31% for a third consecutive decline, the S&P 500 slipped 0.02% and the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.01%. Investors are increasingly focused on how long long-term yields remain above 5% and the potential effects on mortgages, corporate borrowing costs and valuations for risk assets. Jason Stevens, founder of Everton Wealth, said investors should monitor the bond market alongside Federal Reserve policy decisions. Markets also watched reported US-Iran discussions on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and easing US economic sanctions on Iran, while Oracle fell 3.5% amid concerns about possible delays to a New Mexico data-center project.