Swap spread
Swap spreads are the difference between the swap rate (a fixed interest rate) and a corresponding government bond yield with the same maturity (Treasury securities in the case of the United States). [1][2]
For example, if the current market rate for a 5-year swap is 1.35 percent and the current yield on the 5-year Treasury note is 1.33 percent, the 5-year swap spread would be 0.02 percentage points, or 2 basis points.[3][4]
Often, fixed income prices will be quoted in "SWAPS +", wherein the swap rate is added to a given number of basis points. The swap rate there is simply the yield on an equal-maturity Treasury plus the swap spread.
Swap spread became a popular indication of credit spread in Europe during the 1990s.
References
- ^ "swaps and swap spreads". The Street.
- ^ "The term structure and interest rate dynamics Chapter 10". CFA Institute.
- ^ "an empirical analysis of interest rate swap spreads" (PDF).
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ "Examining Swap Spreads and the Implications for Funding the Government". www.treasury.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-27.
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