Top 10 High Yield Index Junks

Robert Gultig

3 January 2026

3 January 2026

Top 10 High Yield Index Junks

As of 2023, the high-yield bond market continues to show resilience amidst economic fluctuations, driven by low interest rates and increasing corporate debt. According to the latest reports, the global high-yield bond market reached approximately $1.4 trillion in size, with high-yield corporate bonds representing about 29% of total U.S. corporate bond market issuance. Investors are increasingly drawn to these assets, seeking higher returns in a low-yield environment, which has led to a surge in demand for high-yield index junks.

1. HCA Healthcare, Inc.

HCA Healthcare’s bonds have a yield of approximately 9.2%, with a market share of around 2.5% in the high-yield corporate bond market. The company has shown consistent revenue growth, reporting $53.4 billion in revenue in 2022, which strengthens its position in the high-yield index.

2. Ford Motor Company

Ford’s high-yield bonds currently yield about 8.5%, reflecting the company’s efforts to transition towards electric vehicles. In 2022, Ford reported a total revenue of $158 billion, with a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.23, which keeps its bonds attractive to yield-seeking investors.

3. Tenet Healthcare Corporation

Tenet Healthcare has a yield of around 8.8%, showcasing its position in the healthcare sector. The company reported revenues of $19.4 billion in 2022, and its aggressive expansion strategies have made its bonds appealing in the high-yield market.

4. Carnival Corporation

Carnival’s bonds yield approximately 10.1%, making it one of the higher-risk options in the sector. With $5.04 billion in revenue for 2022, the company is recovering from pandemic-related losses, which presents an opportunity for high-yield investors.

5. Chesapeake Energy Corporation

Chesapeake is currently offering bonds with a yield of about 9.5%. The company reported a $13.5 billion revenue in 2022, benefitting from rising energy prices and increasing demand for natural gas, making its bonds a notable option in the high-yield index.

6. AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc.

AMC’s bonds yield approximately 11.2%, reflecting its significant market risk after the pandemic. The company generated $1.4 billion in revenue in 2022, and its recovery strategy, including streaming partnerships, has made its high-yield bonds attractive.

7. Frontier Communications Corporation

Frontier offers bonds with a yield of around 10.0%. The company reported $8.1 billion in revenue for 2022, focusing on expanding its fiber-optic network, which enhances its position in the telecommunications high-yield segment.

8. Sprint Corporation

Sprint’s high-yield bonds currently yield about 9.0%. The company has a significant market share in the telecommunications sector and reported $33 billion in revenue in 2022, supported by its merger with T-Mobile, which solidifies its market presence.

9. Xerox Holdings Corporation

Xerox offers bonds with a yield of approximately 8.7%. The company posted a revenue of $7.2 billion in 2022, focusing on digital transformation solutions, which keeps its high-yield bonds appealing to investors.

10. National CineMedia, Inc.

National CineMedia’s bonds yield around 12.0%, making it one of the highest-yielding options available. The company generated $722 million in revenue in 2022, and its recovery from the pandemic has drawn the attention of yield-seeking investors.

Insights

The high-yield bond market is undergoing significant changes, driven by shifts in corporate strategies and economic conditions. Notably, sectors like healthcare and entertainment are seeing increased yields due to their recovery post-pandemic. As of late 2023, the high-yield bond default rate is projected to remain below 5%, indicating a stable environment for high-yield investments. With an expected growth rate of 4.2% for the high-yield market in the coming years, investors are advised to closely monitor these trends and adjust their portfolios accordingly to capitalize on potential opportunities.

Related Analysis: View Previous Industry Report

Author: Robert Gultig in conjunction with ESS Research Team

Robert Gultig is a veteran Managing Director and International Trade Consultant with over 20 years of experience in global trading and market research. Robert leverages his deep industry knowledge and strategic marketing background (BBA) to provide authoritative market insights in conjunction with the ESS Research Team. If you would like to contribute articles or insights, please join our team by emailing support@essfeed.com.
View Robert’s LinkedIn Profile →