Credit Spread Continues to Narrow Despite SK Hynix Halting Investments

SK Hynix's suspension of credit bond investments has not halted the ongoing trend of narrowing domestic credit spreads. In a report on the 19th, Kim Eun-ki, a researcher at Samsung Securities, noted concerns about supply and demand gaps due to SK Hynix's investment halt; however, the trend of narrowing credit spreads has persisted since mid-July. The credit spread refers to the difference between the interest rates of safe assets and credit bonds, and a narrowing spread indicates either a decrease in the risk premium of credit bonds or strong demand. Kim explained that credit spreads remain at a high level, and the attractiveness of interest rates has maintained a buying base. SK Hynix emerged as a major buyer in the domestic credit issuance market, but there are observations that the recent slowdown in buying may have affected market sentiment. The center of credit strength is shifting from specialized financial companies' bonds to corporate bonds, and the decrease in corporate bond issuance in August has supported demand for high-quality corporate bonds. Kim forecasts that the strength in credit will spread from government bonds to corporate bonds in the future. However, he warned that the pace of narrowing credit spreads could slow down due to potential capital outflows at year-end and the possibility of interest rate hikes.