Corporate Bond Risk Rises in Europe, Credit-Default Swaps Show

The cost of insuring against default on European corporate debt rose, according to JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Contracts on the Markit iTraxx Crossover Index of 50 companies with mostly high-yield credit ratings jumped 17 basis points to 692.5 at 7:30 a.m. in London. An increase signals deterioration in perceptions of credit quality.

The Markit iTraxx Europe Index of 125 companies with investment-grade ratings rose 4 basis points to 147.5 basis points.

The Markit iTraxx Financial Index linked to senior debt of 25 banks and insurers increased 4.5 basis points to 251.5 and the subordinated index climbed eight to 410.

A basis point on a credit-default swap protecting 10 million euros ($13 million) of debt from default for five years is equivalent to 1,000 euros a year. Swaps pay the buyer face value in exchange for the underlying securities or the cash equivalent should a borrower fail to adhere to its debt agreements.

To contact the reporter on this story: Abigail Moses in London at Amoses5@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Paul Armstrong at Parmstrong10@bloomberg.net