Home Insights Fixed income High yield: It’s the yield that matters

Despite the focus on credit spreads, yield has proven to be a more reliable indicator of high yield market attractiveness. With a strong correlation between starting yield and five-year forward returns, and a historically high-yielding environment coupled with low projected default rates, the high yield asset class is well-positioned to potentially deliver attractive long-term returns.

High yield index yield and five-year forward return comparison
Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield Bond Index

High yield index yield and five-year forward return per year since 2000
Source: Bloomberg, Principal Fixed Income. Data as of June 30, 2024.

Never mind spread; it’s yield that matters. Many investors look at credit spreads (the difference in yield between a security relative to a risk-free security with the same maturity) as the hallmark indicator for when to enter or exit credit markets. However, history suggests that tactically timing spread movements can be incredibly challenging, especially in high yield credit markets. Though spread levels are important, we believe yield is a more powerful gauge of HY’s attractiveness.

When charting the asset class’s starting yield against its corresponding five-year forward annualized returns, it produces a correlation of 0.87—higher than the correlation between the starting spread and corresponding five-year forward annualized returns. The substantial income produced by the yield should continue to deliver attractive returns in the asset class for investors. The shrinking default rate of high yield offers confidence that starting yields should translate into attractive returns. With high yield today in a historically higher-yielding environment, and defaults projected to be below historical averages (Moody’s 12-month forecast of 2.95% vs. historical average of ~4%), investors may be in the midst of a particularly strong high yield market.

Investors’ ability to maximize their portfolios’ income generation will be the key driver of forward-looking investment returns. The asset class continues to be positioned to potentially deliver long-term returns at these yield levels.

Read more about additional themes impacting fixed income markets and portfolios in the quarter ahead in our 3Q Fixed Income Perspectives.

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Disclosure

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of Principal. Past Performance does not guarantee future return. Fixed‐income investment options are subject to interest rate risk, and their value will decline as interest rates rise. Non-investment grade securities offer a potentially higher yield but carry a greater degree of risk. Potential investors should be aware that fixed Investments carry credit risks, default risk, liquidity risks, currency risks, operational risks, legal risks, counterparty risk and valuation risks.

This material may contain ‘forward-looking’ information that is not purely historical in nature and may include, among other things, projections and forecasts. There is no guarantee that any forecasts made will come to pass. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the reader.

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