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What Is a Credit Spread?
Key Takeaways
In bond trading, a credit spread is the difference in yield between a safer bond (like a Treasury) and a riskier bond (like a corporate bond). The bigger the spread, the higher the perceived risk.
Narrow spreads suggest investors feel confident in the economy, while wide spreads often signal uncertainty or potential downturns.
Factors like credit ratings, interest rates, market sentiment, and bond liquidity influence the size of the spread, with lower-rated or less liquid bonds typically having wider spreads.
In options, a credit spread means selling one option and buying another to receive a net credit, limiting both potential profit and loss. Common examples include bull put spreads and bear call spreads.
Introduction
Credit spreads are an important concept in both bond investing and options trading. In the bond market, they can show how risky different bonds are and provide insights into the economy's health. This article breaks down what credit spreads are, how they work, and why they matter. We'll first discuss credit spreads in the context of bonds and then briefly explore the concept in options trading.
What Are Credit Spreads?
A credit spread is the difference in returns between two loans or bonds that will be paid back at the same time but have different credit ratings (risk levels).
In bond trading, the concept relates to comparing two bonds that mature at the same time, one from a safer borrower and one from a riskier one (such as debt issued by emerging markets or lower-rated businesses).
The credit spread shows how much more return the riskier bond offers to make up for the extra risk. Unsurprisingly, this difference can affect how much you earn on your investment.
How Credit Spreads Work
Typically, investors compare the yield of a corporate bond with that of a government bond, such as a US Treasury note, which is considered low-risk. For example, if a 10-year US Treasury bond yields 3% and a 10-year corporate bond yields 5%, the credit spread is 2% or 200 basis points.
Many investors use credit spreads to understand not only how risky a single company’s bond is but also how healthy the overall economy is. When credit spreads are wide, it often signals economic trouble. When they’re narrow, it suggests confidence in the economy.
What affects credit spreads?
Many things can cause credit spreads to go up or down:
Credit ratings: Lower-rated bonds (like junk bonds) usually have higher yields and bigger spreads.
Interest rates: When interest rates rise, riskier bonds often see their spreads increase.
Market sentiment: When market confidence is low, even solid companies can see their bond spreads widen.
Liquidity: Bonds that are harder to trade present higher trading risks and tend to have wider spreads.
Credit spread examples
Small spread: A top-rated corporate bond pays 3.5%, and a Treasury bond pays 3.2%. The spread is 0.3% or 30 basis points. This indicates strong trust in the company.
Large spread: A lower-rated bond pays 8%, while the Treasury still pays 3.2%. The spread is 4.8% or 480 basis points. This larger spread indicates a higher risk.
What Credit Spreads Say About the Economy
Credit spreads are not only investment tools but also serve as economic indicators. During periods of economic stability, the difference in yields between government and corporate bonds tends to be small. This is because investors are confident in the economy’s ability to support corporate profits and solvency. In other words, people feel confident that companies will pay their debts.
Conversely, in times of economic downturn or uncertainty, investors want to avoid risk. They jump into safer assets like the US Treasuries, driving their yields down, while demanding higher yields for riskier corporate debt, especially lower-rated ones. This causes credit spreads to widen, which in some cases precede bear markets or recessions.
Credit Spread vs. Yield Spread
People sometimes mix up these terms. A credit spread is the difference in yields because of different credit risks. A yield spread is more general and can refer to any yield difference, including due to time to maturity or interest rates.
Credit Spreads in Options Trading
In options trading, the term "credit spread" refers to a strategy where you sell one option contract and buy another with the same expiration date but a different strike price. You get more from the option you sell than you pay for the option you buy. That difference between the contract prices (premium) is what makes the credit spread.
Here are two common types of credit spread strategies in options trading:
Bull Put Spread: This is used when you think the asset price will go up or stay the same. You sell a put option with a higher strike price and buy a put option with a lower strike price.
Bear Call Spread: This is used when you think the stock price will go down or stay below a certain level. You sell a call option with a lower strike price and buy a call option with a higher strike price.
Bear call spread example
Alice believes asset XY won’t go above $60, so she:
Sell a $55 call for $4 (she receives $400, since 1 option contract = 100 shares)
Buy a $60 call for $1.50 (she pays $150)
Alice ends up with a net credit of $2.50 per share, or $250 total. What happens next depends on where asset XY ends up at expiration:
If the price stays at or below $55, both options expire worthless. Alice keeps the initial $250 received.
If the asset ends between $55 and $60, the $55 call is used by the buyer, and Alice has to sell shares at $55. But her $60 call isn’t used. She still keeps some of the initial credit, depending on the final price.
If the stock goes above $60, both options are used. Alice sells shares at $55 and has to buy them back at $60, losing $500 in total. But since she received $250 upfront, her maximum loss is $250.
These trades are called credit spreads because you start off with a credit to your account when you open the position.
Closing Thoughts
Credit spreads are a helpful tool, especially for bond investors. They show how much extra return investors want for taking more risk and can also reveal how people feel about the economy. By keeping an eye on credit spreads, you can better understand the market, choose smart investments, and manage risk.
Further Reading
What Are Bonds and How Do They Work?
What Is a Yield Curve and How to Use It?
How Can Tariffs Impact the Crypto Markets?
Interest Rates Explained
Disclaimer: This content is presented to you on an “as is” basis for general information and educational purposes only, without representation or warranty of any kind. It should not be construed as financial, legal or other professional advice, nor is it intended to recommend the purchase of any specific product or service. You should seek your own advice from appropriate professional advisors. Products mentioned in this article may not be available in your region. Where the article is contributed by a third party contributor, please note that those views expressed belong to the third party contributor, and do not necessarily reflect those of Binance Academy. Please read our full disclaimer for further details. Digital asset prices can be volatile. The value of your investment may go down or up and you may not get back the amount invested. You are solely responsible for your investment decisions and Binance Academy is not liable for any losses you may incur. This material should not be construed as financial, legal or other professional advice. For more information, see our Terms of Use and Risk Warning.
In bond trading, a credit spread is the difference in yield between a safer bond (like a Treasury) and a riskier bond (like a corporate bond). The bigger the spread, the higher the perceived risk.
Narrow spreads suggest investors feel confident in the economy, while wide spreads often signal uncertainty or potential downturns.
Factors like credit ratings, interest rates, market sentiment, and bond liquidity influence the size of the spread, with lower-rated or less liquid bonds typically having wider spreads.
In options, a credit spread means selling one option and buying another to receive a net credit, limiting both potential profit and loss. Common examples include bull put spreads and bear call spreads.
Introduction
Credit spreads are an important concept in both bond investing and options trading. In the bond market, they can show how risky different bonds are and provide insights into the economy's health. This article breaks down what credit spreads are, how they work, and why they matter. We'll first discuss credit spreads in the context of bonds and then briefly explore the concept in options trading.
What Are Credit Spreads?
A credit spread is the difference in returns between two loans or bonds that will be paid back at the same time but have different credit ratings (risk levels).
In bond trading, the concept relates to comparing two bonds that mature at the same time, one from a safer borrower and one from a riskier one (such as debt issued by emerging markets or lower-rated businesses).
The credit spread shows how much more return the riskier bond offers to make up for the extra risk. Unsurprisingly, this difference can affect how much you earn on your investment.
How Credit Spreads Work
Typically, investors compare the yield of a corporate bond with that of a government bond, such as a US Treasury note, which is considered low-risk. For example, if a 10-year US Treasury bond yields 3% and a 10-year corporate bond yields 5%, the credit spread is 2% or 200 basis points.
Many investors use credit spreads to understand not only how risky a single company’s bond is but also how healthy the overall economy is. When credit spreads are wide, it often signals economic trouble. When they’re narrow, it suggests confidence in the economy.
What affects credit spreads?
Many things can cause credit spreads to go up or down:
Credit ratings: Lower-rated bonds (like junk bonds) usually have higher yields and bigger spreads.
Interest rates: When interest rates rise, riskier bonds often see their spreads increase.
Market sentiment: When market confidence is low, even solid companies can see their bond spreads widen.
Liquidity: Bonds that are harder to trade present higher trading risks and tend to have wider spreads.
Credit spread examples
Small spread: A top-rated corporate bond pays 3.5%, and a Treasury bond pays 3.2%. The spread is 0.3% or 30 basis points. This indicates strong trust in the company.
Large spread: A lower-rated bond pays 8%, while the Treasury still pays 3.2%. The spread is 4.8% or 480 basis points. This larger spread indicates a higher risk.
What Credit Spreads Say About the Economy
Credit spreads are not only investment tools but also serve as economic indicators. During periods of economic stability, the difference in yields between government and corporate bonds tends to be small. This is because investors are confident in the economy’s ability to support corporate profits and solvency. In other words, people feel confident that companies will pay their debts.
Conversely, in times of economic downturn or uncertainty, investors want to avoid risk. They jump into safer assets like the US Treasuries, driving their yields down, while demanding higher yields for riskier corporate debt, especially lower-rated ones. This causes credit spreads to widen, which in some cases precede bear markets or recessions.
Credit Spread vs. Yield Spread
People sometimes mix up these terms. A credit spread is the difference in yields because of different credit risks. A yield spread is more general and can refer to any yield difference, including due to time to maturity or interest rates.
Credit Spreads in Options Trading
In options trading, the term "credit spread" refers to a strategy where you sell one option contract and buy another with the same expiration date but a different strike price. You get more from the option you sell than you pay for the option you buy. That difference between the contract prices (premium) is what makes the credit spread.
Here are two common types of credit spread strategies in options trading:
Bull Put Spread: This is used when you think the asset price will go up or stay the same. You sell a put option with a higher strike price and buy a put option with a lower strike price.
Bear Call Spread: This is used when you think the stock price will go down or stay below a certain level. You sell a call option with a lower strike price and buy a call option with a higher strike price.
Bear call spread example
Alice believes asset XY won’t go above $60, so she:
Sell a $55 call for $4 (she receives $400, since 1 option contract = 100 shares)
Buy a $60 call for $1.50 (she pays $150)
Alice ends up with a net credit of $2.50 per share, or $250 total. What happens next depends on where asset XY ends up at expiration:
If the price stays at or below $55, both options expire worthless. Alice keeps the initial $250 received.
If the asset ends between $55 and $60, the $55 call is used by the buyer, and Alice has to sell shares at $55. But her $60 call isn’t used. She still keeps some of the initial credit, depending on the final price.
If the stock goes above $60, both options are used. Alice sells shares at $55 and has to buy them back at $60, losing $500 in total. But since she received $250 upfront, her maximum loss is $250.
These trades are called credit spreads because you start off with a credit to your account when you open the position.
Closing Thoughts
Credit spreads are a helpful tool, especially for bond investors. They show how much extra return investors want for taking more risk and can also reveal how people feel about the economy. By keeping an eye on credit spreads, you can better understand the market, choose smart investments, and manage risk.
Further Reading
What Are Bonds and How Do They Work?
What Is a Yield Curve and How to Use It?
How Can Tariffs Impact the Crypto Markets?
Interest Rates Explained
Disclaimer: This content is presented to you on an “as is” basis for general information and educational purposes only, without representation or warranty of any kind. It should not be construed as financial, legal or other professional advice, nor is it intended to recommend the purchase of any specific product or service. You should seek your own advice from appropriate professional advisors. Products mentioned in this article may not be available in your region. Where the article is contributed by a third party contributor, please note that those views expressed belong to the third party contributor, and do not necessarily reflect those of Binance Academy. Please read our full disclaimer for further details. Digital asset prices can be volatile. The value of your investment may go down or up and you may not get back the amount invested. You are solely responsible for your investment decisions and Binance Academy is not liable for any losses you may incur. This material should not be construed as financial, legal or other professional advice. For more information, see our Terms of Use and Risk Warning.
Disclaimer: Includes third-party opinions. No financial advice. May include sponsored content. See T&Cs.