Your customer asks about a bond carrying a very attractive yield with a B rating. Which term is not typically used to describe a B-rated bond?

A B-rated bond is typically characterized by a higher level of risk, which is reflected in its classification as a high-yield bond or junk bond. These terms indicate that the bond offers a higher yield to compensate investors for the increased risk of default associated with lower-rated bonds.

The term "high-yield" aptly describes a B-rated bond due to its attractive yield compared to higher-rated bonds such as those in the investment-grade category. Similarly, "junk bond" is commonly used to refer to bonds rated below investment grade, including B-rated bonds, emphasizing their risk profile. Additionally, these bonds may be referred to as "noninvestment grade" since they do not meet the criteria of more secure, investment-grade rated bonds.

In contrast, the term "lower grade" might suggest a categorization of bonds but is not commonly used in the context of rating descriptions. Instead, the market tends to use more specific terms like "high-yield," "junk," and "noninvestment grade" when discussing bonds that fall into the B rating category. Thus, "lower grade" does not effectively encapsulate the common terminology employed in the bond market to describe B-rated bonds.