Investment Grade vs High Yield: Ratings, Spreads, Defaults
Investment grade vs high-yield bonds explained: the BBB-/Baa3 cutoff, credit spreads, default rates, and recovery — what actually separates the two.
high yield bonds
IG Credit Spreads Near 3-Year Lows as Corporate Borrowers Rush In
Investment-grade credit spreads compressed to 79 basis points in May 2026, near their tightest in over three years, as companies race to lock in cheap borrowing costs.
Junk Bonds Beat Long Treasuries in 2026: What Credit Markets Signal
High yield bonds have delivered 9% one-year returns while long-duration Treasuries struggle near breakeven. Here’s what the 2026 credit divergence means.
Investment Grade vs. High Yield: Credit Ratings, Spreads, and Default Risk
The difference between investment grade and junk bonds comes down to credit ratings, spreads, and default risk. Here’s how to read the credit market’s most important signals.