Corporate Bond Yield Spreads in Recent Decades: Trends, Changes, and Stock Market Linkages

Abstract

Corporate bond interest rates are a subject of concern to investment analysts, corporate financial managers, and scholars. In this article the yield spreads between corporate bonds and government bonds, and between differing quality corporate bonds is examined during recent decades. Also, the relationship between yield spreads and stock market movements is examined. Yield spreads vary considerably over this period, and have varying trends. Causality tests show that stock market movements precede changes in yield spreads.