Investment Strategy

High yield bonds: Unlocking the potential value of your fixed income portfolio

Against a backdrop of shifting interest rates and changing credit dynamics, high yield (HY) bonds are emerging as a potential powerful tool for investors seeking to strengthen their fixed income portfolios. Rather than simply providing a source of incremental returns, a thoughtful allocation to HY can help balance risk, provide opportunity for improved overall portfolio efficiency, and take advantage of the sector’s evolving quality. We explore the key reasons why a dedicated allocation to high yield deserves consideration.

1. Enhance risk-adjusted return potential for fixed income portfolios

Striking the right balance in a fixed income portfolio is essential for seeking a steady, risk-adjusted returns. One approach that has historically been blending investment grade and high yield bonds. Historical analysis shows that adding a 20% allocation to high yield within a fixed income portfolio has enhanced risk-adjusted returns and improve the Sharpe ratio.

When blending U.S. investment grade (IG) corporates with U.S. high yield, historical data indicates that a 20% allocation to HY has, in certain periods, been associated with  higher returns and reduced volatility compared to a traditional IG-only bond portfolio. Allocating more than 20% to HY may increase returns further but also raises portfolio volatility. As a result, a 20% allocation may represent a well-balanced choice for some investors.

For example, from 2000 to 2025, a portfolio with 20% HY and 80% IG achieved an annualised return 5.50% with volatility of 5.95%, resulting in a return-to-volatility ratio of 0.92. In contrast, an IG-only portfolio returned 5.14% with higher volatility. This demonstrates the efficiency of a blended approach.

HY also tends to have a shorter duration than IG, which can help reduce interest rate risk. By blending investment grade and high yield, investors may be able to build portfolios that are better equipped to navigate market volatility and capture more consistent risk-adjusted returns.

2. The state of the high yield market today: Why now?

The U.S. HY market continues to show strength, supported by solid company fundamentals and a steady stream of upgrades to investment grade. Since 2021, more issuers have moved up than down between IG and HY (“rising stars”— issuers upgraded to IG,  than “fallen angels,” — issuers downgraded to HY), shrinking the market by 8% to $1.5 trillion. Balance sheets are healthier, with leverage at 4.2x and interest coverage at 4.7x — both favourable compared to long-term averages. Default rates remain low at 1.4%, well below the historical average, and the sector has demonstrated resilience during periods of market stress. For instance, during the 'liberation day' volatility, U.S. high yield was down -2% at its worst, while the S&P 500 declined by -15%.

Despite tighter spreads, HY yields are still attractive, offering mid–single-digit yields that rival long-term equity expectations but with potentially less risk. Historically, HY has also outperformed other fixed income sectors, with annualised returns of 6.9% versus 5.4% for investment grade. BB-rated bonds have led the way, returning 7.1% annually, while single B-rated bonds returned 6.4%. Looking ahead, our Long-Term Capital Market Assumptions forecasts project HY returns of 6.1%, compared to 5.2% for IG.

3. Higher quality and lower risk in the high yield market

The composition of the HY market has also improved markedly in recent years, with BB-rated issuers now comprising 50% of the market compared to a majority of single B-rated issuers in 2000. This shift has been supported by the migration of lower-quality issuers and covenant-lite issuance to leveraged loan and private credit markets. BB-rated credits have also historically exhibited very low default rates — averaging less than 1% since 1982.

Currently, 35% of the HY market is also secured, up from less than 10% in 2000. This means that investors now benefit from enhanced seniority, with the potential for less downside risk in challenging circumstances.

HY issuers are also opting for shorter maturities, reducing the overall duration of the US HY index. This trend benefits investors by lowering exposure to long-term credit risk and allowing for quicker repayment of principal.

Why you should consider high yield as part of your portfolio?

Compared with their earlier composition, HY bonds have evolved into a higher-quality segment of the fixed income market. A strategic allocation to HY may help diversify investors’ portfolios, manage risk-adjusted returns, reduce duration risk and add resilience to your portfolio.

To learn more about fixed income investments—including their potential benefits, risks, and how they may fit within a diversified portfolio —reach out to your J.P. Morgan team.

Index definitions:

  • Bloomberg US Corporate Index:  The Bloomberg US Corporate Index is a market-value weighted index that measures the performance of investment-grade, fixed-rate US dollar-denominated corporate bonds. The index includes securities issued by industrial, utility, and financial companies, and only bonds with a minimum amount outstanding and investment-grade ratings are eligible.
  • Bloomberg US HY Corporate Index: The Bloomberg US High Yield Corporate Index is a market-value weighted index that tracks the performance of US dollar-denominated, non-investment grade (high yield) corporate bonds. The index includes fixed-rate securities issued by industrial, utility, and financial companies with ratings below investment grade (i.e., below BBB- or Baa3).
  • S&P 500 Index: The S&P 500 Index is a market-capitalization-weighted index that tracks the performance of 500 of the largest publicly traded companies listed on US stock exchanges.

Investing in fixed income risks:

Continued deterioration in macroeconomic conditions could lead to poor liquidity in the name, lower price and/or credit downgrades. All securities mentioned below are potentially subject to significant mark to market volatility based on movements in either the interest rate or credit markets at any time. Note: All pricing and yields are subject to change at any time based on market conditions.  Investing in fixed income products is subject to certain risks, including interest rate, credit, inflation, call, prepayment, and reinvestment risk. 

KEY RISKS

JPMAM LONG-TERM CAPITAL MARKET ASSUMPTIONS

Given the complex risk-reward trade-offs involved, we advise clients to rely on judgment as well as quantitative optimization approaches in setting strategic allocations. Please note that all information shown is based on qualitative analysis. Exclusive reliance on the above is not advised. This information is not intended as a recommendation to invest in any particular asset class or strategy or as a promise of future performance. Note that these asset class and strategy assumptions are passive only – they do not consider the impact of active management. References to future returns are not promises or even estimates of actual returns a client portfolio may achieve. Assumptions, opinions and estimates are provided for illustrative purposes only. They should not be relied upon as recommendations to buy or sell securities. Forecasts of financial market trends that are based on current market conditions constitute our judgment and are subject to change without notice. We believe the information provided here is reliable, but do not warrant its accuracy or completeness. This material has been prepared for information purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, accounting, legal or tax advice. The outputs of the assumptions are provided for illustration/discussion purposes only and are subject to significant limitations.

“Expected” or “alpha” return estimates are subject to uncertainty and error. For example, changes in the historical data from which it is estimated will result in different implications for asset class returns. Expected returns for each asset class are conditional on an economic scenario; actual returns in the event the scenario comes to pass could be higher or lower, as they have been in the past, so an investor should not expect to achieve returns similar to the outputs shown herein. References to future returns for either asset allocation strategies or asset classes are not promises of actual returns a client portfolio may achieve. Because of the inherent limitations of all models, potential investors should not rely exclusively on the model when making a decision. The model cannot account for the impact that economic, market, and other factors may have on the implementation and ongoing management of an actual investment portfolio. Unlike actual portfolio outcomes, the model outcomes do not reflect actual trading, liquidity constraints, fees, expenses, taxes and other factors that could impact the future returns. The model assumptions are passive only – they do not consider the impact of active management. A manager’s ability to achieve similar outcomes is subject to risk factors over which the manager may have no or limited control.

The views contained herein are not to be taken as advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any investment in any jurisdiction, nor is it a commitment from J.P. Morgan Asset Management or any of its subsidiaries to participate in any of the transactions mentioned herein. Any forecasts, figures, opinions or investment techniques and strategies set out are for information purposes only, based on certain assumptions and current market conditions and are subject to change without prior notice. All information presented herein is considered to be accurate at the time of production. This material does not contain sufficient information to support an investment decision and it should not be relied upon by you in evaluating the merits of investing in any securities or products. In addition, users should make an independent assessment of the legal, regulatory, tax, credit and accounting implications and determine, together with their own financial professional, if any investment mentioned herein is believed to be appropriate to their personal goals. Investors should ensure that they obtain all available relevant information before making any investment. It should be noted that investment involves risks, the value of investments and the income from them may fluctuate in accordance with market conditions and taxation agreements and investors may not get back the full amount invested. Both past performance and yield are not a reliable indicator of current and future results.

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Any views, strategies or products discussed in this material may not be appropriate for
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