St. Louis Fed Financial Stress Index Declines

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

Financial market stress fell in the latest reporting week. For the week ending Sept. 30, the St. Louis Fed Financial Stress Index (STLFSI) measured -1.155, down from the previous week’s revised value of -1.048 and the fourth decline in the past five weeks. Zero represents normal financial stress.

Over the past week, 15 of the 18 indicators contributed negatively to the weekly change in the index, two more than the previous week. The two largest negative contributions were made by the yield difference between the three-month commercial paper rate and the three-month Treasury bill (CPS_3mo) and the Merrill Lynch Bond Market Volatility Index (Mlynch_BMVI_1mo). Three of the 18 indicators contributed positively to the weekly change in the index, one fewer than the previous week. The largest positive contribution was made by the Standard & Poor’s Financials Index (SP500_FI). 

Over the past year, 11 of the 18 indicators made a negative contribution to the index, the same number as the previous week. Like the previous week, the two largest negative contributions over the past year were made by the Chicago Board Options Exchange Market Volatility Index (VIX) and the yield on BAA-rated corporate bonds (BAA). Seven indicators made a positive contribution over the past year, also the same as the previous week. For the fifth consecutive week, the two largest positive contributions over the past year were made by the yield difference between the three-month Libor rate and the three-month Overnight Index Swap Rate (LiborOIS_3mo) and the difference between the three-month Treasury bill yield and the three-month Eurodollar rate (TED).

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