Dollar swap spreads dropped sharply this week. At midday yesterday (Thursday) in New York, the 10 year mid-market was 103.5bp. The week before, the market closed at 114bp. The five year midpoint was yesterday 95bp, also around 10bp tighter on the week. "We have seen continued receiving out of everywhere," said one trader at a money centre bank. A variety of counterparties were hitting bids, including bank portfolios, mortgage books and insurance firms. There was also some new issue related receiving this week, but in general the collapse of spreads is more due to the improved sentiment and greater optimism about credit.
December 08, 2000