Dollar swap spreads contracted sharply this week as the traditional upsurge of new issuance was celebrated with even more gusto than usual. Moreover, an overwhelming portion of the new debt was swapped to floating rate, exerting irresistible downward pressure on swap spreads. By the close of trading in New York yesterday (Thursday), the two year swap spread was at 43.25bp, the five year at 73bp and the 10 year at 74bp. At the beginning of the week, the two year swap spread had touched 49bp while the 10 year had dealt up to 77bp.
January 04, 2002