The cost of borrowing for the riskiest companies has fallen to its lowest level in more than six months and prompted a surge in new debt issues, increasing hopes that the worst stage of the financial crisis may be over.
The ability of a growing number of companies – including those seen as having a higher risk of default and whose debt is classified as “junk” or “high yield” – to raise money signals an increased willingness by investors to lend money.
For many months, private investors have shied away from lending money to risky companies and banks amid concerns that financial markets might again revert to crisis mode and that the value of investments would fall sharply.