U.S. High Yield Credit Spreads vs. VIX Investors are pricing high-yield credit as if the good times will roll on. Spreads are tight, fundamentals look firm, but that very optimism risks shading into complacency. Active monitoring helps detect early signs of stress. Image: Topdown Charts
U.S. High-Yield Spreads vs. Corporate Cash Flow as % of Debt (Leading Indicator) Rising AI infrastructure spending and swelling debt are draining liquidity, setting the stage for weaker cash-flow-to-debt ratios in 2026 and wider credit spreads across the sector. Image: Bloomberg
Rolling 90-Day Correlation Between the S&P 500 and U.S. IG Credit Spreads Credit and equities are back in sync: the 90‑day correlation between U.S. IG credit spreads and the S&P 500 has spiked, a sign that macro forces and market mood now bind the two tighter than before. Image: Deutsche Bank
U.S. High Yield Credit Spreads Tight high-yield spreads signal strong market confidence, but they also raise red flags by potentially masking underlying vulnerabilities and feeding investor complacency by making risks seem less significant than they are. Image: Topdown Charts
AAII Investor Sentiment Bull Minus Bear Spread The AAII bull-bear spread points to a balanced mood among U.S. retail investors who expect stock prices to decline in the near term—a condition that could set the stage for a sharper move in either direction. Image: Deutsche Bank Asset Allocation
S&P 500 Ratio to Its 200-DMA and AAII Investor Sentiment Bull Minus Bear Spread Historically, very low investor sentiment has not only signaled caution but also suggested further upside in U.S. equities, offering opportunities for contrarian investors. Image: Deutsche Bank Asset Allocation
Valuations – Spread of S&P 500 Minus S&P 500 Equal Weight The significant valuation gaps between the cap-weighted and equal-weighted S&P 500 result from the high valuations and growth expectations of large companies, which emphasize market concentration and investment risks. Image: Bloomberg
U.S. High Yield Credit Spreads and Recessions U.S. high-yield credit spreads in May 2025 show little evidence of recession fears, remaining well below the levels seen during previous downturns. Image: Deutsche Bank
S&P 500 and Treasury Bond to Corporate BB High Yield Spread Widening credit spreads often signal upcoming declines in the S&P 500, serving as a valuable leading indicator of equity market stress because they typically react early to shifts in market sentiment and risk. Image: Real Investment Advice
Median S&P 500 Stock Bid-Ask Spread Bid-ask spreads for S&P 500 stocks have widened significantly in recent trading sessions, driven by heightened market volatility and liquidity strains. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
Junk and Investment Grade Credit Spreads Corporate bond yield spreads are often used as a gauge of financial market stress. They can provide insights into the likelihood of an economic downturn, but they are not foolproof predictors. Image: Real Investment Advice