Rank the following instruments in terms of credit risk. In your rankings, use 1 for the greatest credit risk and 4 for the smallest credit risk. Assume a 10 year Treasury trades with a YTM of 5%.a. A Ba1 corporate bond b. A ten-year BBB- corporate bond with a YTM of 7% c. A secured loan from Argosy Gaming, which is a B- rated firm d. A senior subordinated bond from Argosy Gaming

a. A Ba1 corporate bond 2 (not investment grade)

b. A ten-year BBB- corporate bond with a YTM of 7% 3 (medium risk but still investment grade)

c. A secured loan from Argosy Gaming, which is a B- rated firm 4 (less risky since it is backed by a collateral)

d. A senior subordinated bond from Argosy Gaming 1 (highest risk)

Explanation:

There are two major bond rating agencies in the US: Moody's and Standard & Poor's.

Their rankings are very similar, although the letters vary a little:

AAA: safest

AA: low risk

A: low risk

BBB: medium risk

BB: a little bit more riskier

B: risky

CCC: very high risk

CC: even riskier

C: riskiest

D: junk, in default