spread

noun SPRED Less Common

Origin: English loanword.

Usage Note

Spread is an English financial loanword used invariably in Italian (no Italian plural ending). It most commonly refers to the interest-rate differential between Italian and German government bonds — a key indicator of Italy's borrowing risk. It is masculine: lo spread (note the use of lo before the sp- cluster).

Examples

"Lo spread è sceso sotto i cento punti."

Natural Translation

The spread has fallen below one hundred points.

Literal Translation

The spread has fallen below the hundred points.

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