Rated by a credit-rating organization as having comparatively low default risk within its rating scale.
Reach for it when using the established finance category while naming the agency and rating
The fund may hold bonds rated investment-grade by the agencies listed in its mandate.
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| professional |
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| formal |
playful
Fits when informal market language should suggest established quality
Careful Blue-chip usually describes companies or equities and has no precise credit cutoff.
everyday
Fits when relative risk should be communicated plainly
Careful Low-risk is vague and ignores interest-rate, liquidity, currency, and market risks.
professional
Fits when evidence suggests the borrower can meet obligations
Careful Creditworthy is evaluative and not a formal rating category by itself.
professional
Fits when strong credit quality is the broad financial claim
Careful High-grade may use a different threshold and still needs a named rating framework.
formal
rated
Fits when an external organization has assigned a credit opinion
Careful A rating may fall anywhere on the agency's scale, including below the investment-grade threshold.
formal
upper-medium-grade
Fits when the rating sits in a named strong-credit band
Careful Upper-medium-grade is narrower than investment-grade and depends on the agency's scale.
investment-grade bond
An investment-grade bond can still lose value before maturity.
investment-grade rating
The investment-grade rating came from the agency named in the prospectus.
remain investment-grade
The issuer may remain investment-grade while its outlook deteriorates.
Keep in mind
Investment-grade is agency-specific and time-specific. It does not mean safe, liquid, profitable, or suitable for a particular investor.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Updated
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