The LIBOR rate is a benchmark rate on interbank loans worldwide. It is the amount banks charge each other to borrow money. The counterpart to this is the Fed Funds Rate, which is risk-free.
When both rates diverge from each other, we can say that this is a warning sign and leading indicator for credit risk. It also means there isn't enough liquidity. This is reflected in the higher cost of borrowing from banks.
The Fed has cut rates since the financial crisis of 2008, but LIBOR doesn't follow and is even rising now in 2016, especially since the end of QE3 in 2015. This same thing that happened in 2008 will happen in 2016-2017. LIBOR diverged from the Fed Funds Rate and the Federal Reserve will need to come in and initiate QE4 or negative interest rates to bring down the LIBOR rate and provide liquidity.
When both rates diverge from each other, we can say that this is a warning sign and leading indicator for credit risk. It also means there isn't enough liquidity. This is reflected in the higher cost of borrowing from banks.
The Fed has cut rates since the financial crisis of 2008, but LIBOR doesn't follow and is even rising now in 2016, especially since the end of QE3 in 2015. This same thing that happened in 2008 will happen in 2016-2017. LIBOR diverged from the Fed Funds Rate and the Federal Reserve will need to come in and initiate QE4 or negative interest rates to bring down the LIBOR rate and provide liquidity.
The Fed funds rate tends to move with the 2 year treasury as well. The probability of a rate hike can be monitored here.
Eurodollar futures lead the fed funds rate.
Another similar indicator you can follow is the TED spread. The TED spread is the spread between 3-Month LIBOR and the 3-Month treasury bill based on US dollars. VIX is correlated to TED spread.
The FRA - OIS spread shows the willingness of banks to lend to each other.
Another indicator of credit risk is the bank term funding program to prop up failing regional banks.
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