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The determinants of corporate bond yields

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  • Liu, Sheen
  • Shi, Jian
  • Wang, Junbo
  • Wu, Chunchi

Abstract

Previous studies have found that common factors explain a high proportion of corporate bond yields. In this paper, we test whether there is a systematic risk premium beyond that implied by a risk-neutral term structure model. We propose a reduced-form term structure model that incorporates both default and tax effects. After controlling the effects of personal taxes and default risk, empirical tests show that at least two of the Fama-French factors are important for corporate bond yields. Our results suggest that term structure models should incorporate aggregate common risk factors in order to better explain the dynamics of corporate bond yields.

Suggested Citation

  • Liu, Sheen & Shi, Jian & Wang, Junbo & Wu, Chunchi, 2009. "The determinants of corporate bond yields," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 49(1), pages 85-109, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:quaeco:v:49:y:2009:i:1:p:85-109
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    2. Cao, N. & Galvani, V. & Gubellini, S., 2017. "Firm-specific stock and bond predictability: New evidence from Canada," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 174-192.
    3. Sebastian Beer, 2018. "A cost-risk analysis of sovereign debt composition in CESEE," Focus on European Economic Integration, Oesterreichische Nationalbank (Austrian Central Bank), issue Q1-18, pages 6-25.
    4. Verner, Robert & Tkáč, Michal, 2023. "On the predictability of bonds," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 57(C).
    5. Nicodemus Simu,, 2017. "Determinants of Indonesian corporate bond yield," Business and Economic Horizons (BEH), Prague Development Center, vol. 13(5), pages 619-629, December.
    6. SHAH, Syed Muhammad Noaman Ahmed & KEBEWAR, mazen, 2013. "US Corporate Bond Yield Spread: A default risk debate," MPRA Paper 44887, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    7. Samir Kadiric & Arthur Korus, 2019. "The effects of Brexit on credit spreads: Evidence from UK and Eurozone corporate bond markets," International Economics and Economic Policy, Springer, vol. 16(1), pages 65-102, March.
    8. Syed Muhammad Noaman Ahmed Shah & Mazen Kebewar, 2013. "US Corporate Bond Yield Spread : A default risk debate," Papers 1303.3391, arXiv.org.
    9. Raquel Garde Sánchez & Manuel Pedro Rodríguez Bolívar & Antonio M. López Hernández, 2017. "Corporate and managerial characteristics as drivers of social responsibility disclosure by state-owned enterprises," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 11(3), pages 633-659, July.
    10. Samir Kadiric & Arthur Korus, 2018. "Effects of Brexit on Corporate Yield Spreads: Evidence from UK and Eurozone Corporate Bond Markets," EIIW Discussion paper disbei251, Universitätsbibliothek Wuppertal, University Library.
    11. Zhong, Xiaoling & Wang, Junbo, 2018. "Prospect theory and corporate bond returns: An empirical study," Journal of Empirical Finance, Elsevier, vol. 47(C), pages 25-48.
    12. Stephanie Heck, 2022. "Corporate bond yields and returns: a survey," Financial Markets and Portfolio Management, Springer;Swiss Society for Financial Market Research, vol. 36(2), pages 179-201, June.
    13. Turkmen Muldur Gozde & Kandir Serkan Yılmaz & Onal Yıldırım Beyazıt, 2019. "Investor Sentiment and Speculative Bond Yield Spreads," Foundations of Management, Sciendo, vol. 11(1), pages 177-186, January.
    14. Syed Muhammad Noaman Ahmed Shah & Mazen Kebewar, 2013. "US Corporate Bond Yield Spread: A default risk debate," Working Papers halshs-00798660, HAL.
    15. Saeed, Momna & Elnahass, Marwa & Izzeldin, Marwan & Tsionas, Mike, 2021. "Yield spread determinants of sukuk and conventional bonds," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 105(C).
    16. Vijay A. Murik, 2013. "Bond pricing with a surface of zero coupon yields," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 53(2), pages 497-512, June.

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