We provide a comprehensive study on the cross-sectional predictability of corporate bond returns using big data and machine learning. We examine whether a large set of equity and bond characteristics drive the expected returns on corporate bonds. Using either set of characteristics, we find that...

We document strong evidence of cross-sectional predictability of corporate bond returns based on a set of yield predictors that capture the information in the yields of past 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 months. Return predictability is economically and statistically significant, and is robust to...

I document a positive relationship between partisan conflict and corporate credit spreads. A onestandard deviation increase in partisan conflict is associated with a 2.61 basis point increase inthe next one-month corporate credit spreads after controlling for bond issue information,...

Using a comprehensive data set and an array of 27 macroeconomic, stock and bond predictors, we find that corporate bond returns are highly predictable based on an iterated combination model. The large set of predictors outperforms traditional predictors substantially, and predictability...

This paper constructs an investor sentiment measure at both individual bond and aggregate levels, uncovering the first evidence that investor sentiment has strong cross- sectional predictive power for corporate bond returns. High bond investor sentiment leads to low future returns. A portfolio...

In this paper, we explore what factors drive expected corporate bond returns all over the world. With a novel dataset, and utilizing machine learning models, we find there is strong predictability of corporate bond returns in international markets. However, the documented factors that drive...