Yield spread

Yield spread describes the difference between the yields on two different debt instruments. For example, you can calculate the yield spread on two bonds, by subtracting the yield on one bond from the yield on the other.

Yield spread is helpful in comparing bonds with different maturities, credit ratings, and tax status. In general, securities with longer maturities tend to have higher yields than those with shorter maturities. And securities with higher credit ratings have lower yields than those with lower ratings.