Forecasting sectorial profitability and credit spreads using bond yields

•We provide evidence that corporate bonds can act as economic predictors.•We show that corporate bonds can predict sectorial changes in corporate profits and stock prices.•We examine the relationship between sectorial credit spreads and various states of the economy.•We find that the financial sector is more sensitive to economic deterioration than the industrial sector.

While previous research has focused mainly on government bonds as economic predictors we provide evidence that corporate bonds can act as predictors as well. By analyzing data from the financial and industrial sectors, which are the main pillars of the economy, we show that corporate bonds can predict changes in corporate profits and stock price behavior in the sector they are affiliated with. In addition, the examination of the relationship between sectorial credit spreads and various states of the economy shows that the financial sector is more sensitive to economic deterioration than the industrial sector.