Impending Trouble: Fading Optimism and Debt Wall Threaten Economy

Fading optimism on interest rates signals trouble for the $425 billion debt wall facing corporate America. The strong US jobs report increases the likelihood of another Federal Reserve rate increase this year, which is negative for companies that have been increasing their debt levels as yields have surged. Companies face higher borrowing costs, which could cut into profits and increase default risk. The higher yields have already shut down new junk bond sales, and the average yield on the Bloomberg Global High Yield index has reached its highest level since November last year. The corporate private credit market is also expected to see more defaults.