Junk bonds have been attractive to investors for their high yields, the reward that comes with investing in companies with speculative grade debt. However, the near future is beginning to get muddled for junk bond exchange traded fund investors as the Presidential election is over and bigger problems loom.
A divided Congress could have big implications in the months ahead for investors in a broad swath of assets, from stocks and bonds to the dollar, say financial advisers and market strategists. The unknown in Washington is a huge part of the equation, with evidence of another recession surfacing and mediocre corporate earnings on the table. [High-Yield ETF on Losing Streak]
“Despite the favorable liquidity conditions and the demand for yield, we expect to see U.S. high yield names begin to underperform investment grade credit and US [Treasurys] as we head into 2013,” Thomas Tzitzouris, fixed income strategist at Strategas, said in a recent analysis of the group. [High Yield and Floating Rate Bond ETFs Under the Microscope?]
High-yield bonds and ETFs are in danger now as economic uncertainty rules the stock market. [‘Hot Money’ Drives Junk Bond Yields to Surreal Lows]
“With the U.S. likely moving towards a recession in the first half of 2013 [the fiscal cliff shock], and top line growth and earnings margins now both seemingly heading lower, it seems that U.S. corporate sector spreads may be about to begin a move higher in the next few quarters,” he said. [High Yield ETFs for a Low Rate Market]
The higher spreads between junk bonds and safer tools point to a higher level of corporate default risk, as business conditions are unfavorable and the tax climate turns ugly for any businesses, reports Jeff Cox for CNBC.
PowerShares Fundamental High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (NYSEArca: PHB) has a yield of 5.11%, beating out the S&P 500 dividend yield. Over the past three years, the fund has fared well, reports Selena Maranjian for The Motley Fool. The iShares iBoxx High Yield Corporate Bond Fund (NYSEArca: HYG) is down 1.2% since September. The fund has lost $219 million in outflows this week. HYG yields 6.72%.