What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
US corporate credit spreads fell on October 2, 2026, after rising from September 25 through October 1—but the easing did not erase the earlier widening. The October 2 readings remained above their September 25 levels, and the largest increase over the period was in CCC-and-lower debt.
What changed in US corporate credit spreads?
CryptoSlate reported that option-adjusted spreads widened between September 25 and October 1, then narrowed on October 2. Its figures, attributed to daily observations and reported after a FRED update on October 5, show that all three rating measures were still higher on October 2 than on September 25.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
| Measure | Sept. 25, 2026 | Oct. 1, 2026 | Change, Sept. 25–Oct. 1 | Oct. 2, 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ICE BofA CCC-and-lower OAS | 11.28% | 12.15% | +87 basis points | 12.02% |
| ICE BofA broad high-yield OAS | 2.93% | 3.24% | +31 basis points | 3.10% |
| ICE BofA investment-grade corporate OAS | 0.81% | 0.86% | +5 basis points | 0.85% |
The dated sequence and September 25–October 1 figures were reported by CryptoSlate. The October 2 observations were also reported there as values in FRED’s October 5 update. They are secondary-reported daily readings, not an independent audit of the underlying series.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Did the widening reach beyond the weakest borrowers?
Yes, in the limited sense that the reported investment-grade spread also increased between September 25 and October 1: it rose 5 basis points, compared with 31 basis points for broad high yield and 87 basis points for CCC-and-lower debt. That supports saying the widening was not confined to the weakest-rated tier. It does not, on its own, establish a broad credit crisis or predict defaults.
#1 Best Overall
The measures overlap: CCC-and-lower bonds are included in broad high yield. They are rating-tier indicators, not three separate, non-overlapping segments whose changes should be added together.
What does a wider spread mean?
An option-adjusted spread (OAS) is a premium over a Treasury reference curve, adjusted for embedded bond options. A wider spread means investors are demanding a larger premium for the relevant corporate debt relative to that reference. It is not the bond’s total yield: Treasury yields are a separate component, so a spread change does not mean the total yield changed by the same amount.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why did spreads ease on October 2?
The reported figures establish that spreads narrowed that day, but they do not establish a cause. They do not link the move to the employment report, Treasury yields, or another catalyst. Without evidence connecting an event to these spread observations, the October 2 easing should be described as a one-day decline in the reported measures—not as a proven market reaction or a full reversal of the prior widening.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchQuick Recap
Best Value
Rank #4
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
