St. Louis Fed Financial Stress Index Rises for Fifth Week in a Row

Please note: Data values previously published are subject to revision. For more information, refer to the vintage series in ALFRED®.

The St. Louis Fed Financial Stress Index (STLFSI) measured -1.091 for the week ending May 29, 2015, up slightly from the previous week’s revised value of -1.094. The increase was the fifth in a row. Nevertheless, the index remains well below its recent peak of -0.902, which occurred during the week ending Jan. 16, 2015.

Over the past week, seven of the 18 indicators contributed positively to the weekly change in the index, unchanged from last week. The two largest positive contributions were made by the expected inflation rate over the next 10 years (BIR_10yr) and the Chicago Board Options Exchange Market Volatility Index (VIX). Nine indicators contributed negatively to the weekly change in the index, two more than the previous week. The largest negative contributions were made by the Merrill Lynch Bond Market Volatility Index (Mlynch_BMVI_1mo) and the yield on Baa-rated corporate bonds (BAA).

Over the past year, 13 of the 18 indicators made a positive contribution to the index and five indicators made a negative contribution, the same as the previous two weeks. The two largest positive contributions over the past year were made by the Mlynch_BMVI_1mo and the BIR_10yr, while the largest negative contribution was made by the S&P 500 Financials Index (SP500_FI).

For an explanation of the 18 component variables in the STLFSI, refer to the STLFSI Key.