March 11 (Reuters) - The yield spread between junk-rated

corporate bonds and U.S. Treasuries opened out late on Monday to

its widest level since September, in a sign that overall

investor confidence is deteriorating as worries about recession

and a global trade war rise.

On the ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index, a commonly

used benchmark for the junk bond market, the option adjusted

spread surged to 316 basis points, a level not seen since

September 24. These spreads refer to the interest rate premium

investors demand to hold low rated corporate debt over safer

Treasuries.