basis point

American  

noun

Finance.

1. one hundredth of one percent, as of interest rates, or investment yields.

---

basis point British  

noun

1. a measure used for describing interest rates, equal to one hundredth of a percentage point (0.01%)

---

Etymology

Origin of basis point

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

The two-year Treasury yield was up 0.4 basis point at 3.779%, while the 10-year Treasury yield rose 1 basis point to 4.318%, according to Tradeweb.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

The 10-year yield was up 0.8 basis point at 4.143%, while the 30-year yield rose 1.1 basis points to 4.782%, according to Tradeweb.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 2026

Its guidance for an 80 to 100 basis point improvement in margins this year came in slightly ahead of expectations.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 26, 2026

The company expects “ongoing elevated legal expenses” will represent a roughly 200 basis point headwind to its adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, or Ebitda, margin in the first quarter.

From Barron's • Feb. 11, 2026

Elevated legal expenses are projected to be a 200 basis point headwind to Zillow’s Q1 adjusted Ebitda margin and 100 basis points for the full year.

From Barron's • Feb. 11, 2026